2012 ended on a high note: I got a new PR on my 5K on New Year's Eve Day, finishing in 24:05, placing 9th in my age group. I ran negative splits throughout: Mile 1 - 7:51; Mile 2 - 7:40; Mile 3 - 7:36. My average cadence, according to my foot pod, was 95 steps per minute. I got to meet up with Sparkers, so it was a great way to end the year.

In 2012, I PRed every race distance I have ever raced: 5K, 10 mile, half and full. Plus, I also ran my first relay and biked my first century (100 miles).

After a New Year's Eve out until 2 Am., I was up at 7 for my first group run of 2013. The almost 6 mile run involved snow (on the ground and in the air), wind, hills and stairs. Best mile was 8:24, average pace was 9:40.

2013 goals are:

* Learn to swim.

* Drop 10 lbs and maintain it. This will only help my running, but will be my biggest challenge. I lost the weight by March last year but failed to maintain. Track! Track! Track!

* Run more races, focusing on improving my finish times. I already have 2 5ks, a 15 miler, 2 halfs and a full on the calendar.

* Run 1200 miles. My 2012 goal was 1000 and I finished the year with 1103.

* Wag more, bark less.

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy, productive and injury free 2013!!