It’s that time again, the new year is here and time to reflect on how we did with our fitness and health in 2012, and we want to happen in 2013. Here is my dailymile 2012 summary. The annual summary that shows off your logged miles and activity for the year. In looking back at my dailymile 2011 summary from last year, there is a pretty big difference.

Since mentally committing to getting in better shape and overall health since turning 41, I’ve definitely been more consistent in getting out of the house and exercising on a regular basis. Exercising on average 2 to 4 times a week almost every week of the year with only a few exceptions where I only got out once a week. This year I broke over one thousand miles at a total of 1,239 miles. Averaging 23 miles per week in 167 workout activities from a combination road running, trail running, road biking, mountain biking, and snowboarding. Apparently burning 62 pounds of fat!

Comparing dailymile 2011 Summary

When looking back at 2011 stats I see a big difference. Everything increased, overall distance, average miles per activity, and the amount of workout activities. In 2011 my biggest month had 76 miles compared to 157 in 2012, in fact, I only had one month 2012, August, that was below 76 miles in a month. My average miles per week went from 6 to 23 miles. The biggest difference for they year is that I’ve lost 30 pounds of body fat, going from 230 pounds down to 200. I’ve stayed steady at 200 for the last 3 to 4 months.

I’d like to get down to 190 pounds or maybe even a little less in 2013 and maintain it.

Fitness Events

In 2012 I participated in a handful of events that helped push me to stay on the right path, running and training regularly. I ran my first half marathon in 2012 and by the end of the year I ended up completing four of them. In addition to the marathons I also participated in a few other runs and one bike ride event. Two of the marathons were unplanned events, I ended up running them for Jenny because she was traveling out of the country on those dates. Both were only a week apart, so it was back-to-back marathons for me.

• February 12th – Firecracker Run (5k run) – Finish time: 29:35
• March 24th – The Great Race of Agoura Hills (10k run) – Finish time: 1:04:50
• March 25th – Xterra Black Mountain Trail Run (5k trail run) – Finish time: 41:59
• May 6th – Wild Wild West Marathon (10 mile trail run) – Finish time: 2:31:15
• May 20th – Pasadena Marathon Bike Tour (full marathon) – Finish time: 1:39:54 (PR)
• June 2nd – Fontana Days Run (5k run) – Finish time: 24:41.8 (PR)
• July 29th – San Francisco Half Marathon (second half course) – Finish time: 2:14:18 (PR)
• September 29th – Leona Valley Trail Half Marathon – Finish time: 3:01
• October 28th – Rock ‘n’ Roll Los Angeles Half Marathon – Finish time: 2:27
• November 2nd – Santa Clarita Half Marathon – Finish time: 2:24

For 2013 I don’t have as many event planned, at least not yet. However I do have a few. Jenny and I just completed the Allstate Los Angeles Half Marathon this past Sunday on January 13th, making my 5th half marathon event, I finished with a time of 2:24. This was the first marathon that I ran the entire distance non-stop, no walking at all.

I maintained a good steady non-stop pace throughout the whole race.

Up and coming events that we will do include the Annual Fire Cracker event, this year I’m signed up for the 30 mile bike ride and 5k run, so that’ll be a full weekend. Then the San Francisco Half Marathon, I’ll be doing the first half course this time, then we also signed up for the Bryce Canyon Half Marathon in July, that should be fun. Then I’m considering to sign up for the SeaOtter Classic Cross Country and Downhill mountain bike events happening the weekend of April 18th near Monterey, CA. Other events that we’ll probably go to include the Bull Dog 25k trail run and Leona Valley trail runs.

My 2013 Health and Fitness Goals

Now that I’ve become habitual about getting out and exercising multiple times a week. My biggest goal is to maintain my activity consistently each week. My doctor says my health is doing better and to continue on the path to better health. Being unemployed for the last year had helped a great deal, giving me the time I need to go exercise regularly. Now I’m looking to be able to maintain my lifestyle while working at home and earning residual income without committing to a full-time job that slaves you 12 or more hours a day.

Probably one of the biggest benefits is having the time to cook good healthy homemade meals. I love to cook, but before when working 12 to 16 hour days, I was too tired cook, and thus ended up with poor eating habits. Our eating habits for 2012 improved a lot and I’m taking steps to improve our diet in 2013. Cooking more with fresh ingredients from our local farmers market, less dairy and processed foods, only homemade juice. Eating more raw nuts and fruit as snacks. The combination of taking good supplements and healthier diet has definitely helped us feel better and become healthier. We are on the right path and need to stick with it and embrace good healthy foods.

Being out on the trail in the nature is more rewarding for the heart and soul.

Fitness wise I’d like to possibly participate in more trail running and mountain biking events. Last summer was really inspired by supporting our 66-year-old Finnish friend Jussi as he did his 25th Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run. Being able to experience that was very motivational and shows how fantastic trail running is compared to roads. Road running is fine, but I think trail running and mountain biking is so much more enjoyable.

The other thing I’d consider is training up to a trail based triathlon, swimming, cross-country trail riding, and then trail running. If I can find a good trail triathlon event that is within my reach then I’d probably sign up and start to train for it.

There you have it, 2012 was a big improvement over 2011 and I suspect that 2013 will be even better. Using dailymile has been great for logging my miles and connecting with other active people around the country. Being able to share my experiences and have one central location that has all my logged miles is fantastic and dailymile does a great job.

Here is to a great and healthy year in 2013 with many more miles!

dailymile Resources

• dailymile.com
• Terry’s dailymile profile and 2012 summary report
• My dailymile 2011 summary post

Do you use dailymile? Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. I love getting feedback.