2009 stats

RUN:1898 miles
BIKE: 1617 miles
SWIM:140 miles

PRs:
1) marathon: 3:29:47 (15 min PR)
2) half marathon: 1:39:47 (3 min PR)
3) 5K: 20: 23 (27 seconds PR)
4) sprint triathlon (400m swim/13 mile bike, 5K): 1:11:29, automatic PR

Injuries: 0 (a little ITB issue but healthy otherwise)
Days of running per week: 3, up to 4, now 5.
Nr of running shoes purchased: 7 (2 Boston Adidas Classics, 3 Asics Gel Kayano 15s, 1 Adidas Supernova Cushion, 1 Asics 150)
Nr of biking shoes purchased: 1 (Shimanos)
Nr of bikes purchased: 1, my first road bike, Fuji 2.0 (thanks for the deal, Rostom!)
Nr of bathing suits purchased: 4
Nr of useless running gear purchased: 1 pair of black Recovery Socks. Then discovered that the $3.99 pair purchased at Walgreens looks and works exactly the same way!
Nr of toenails lost: 7 for Boston, 1 for Baystate.
Nr of pounds lost: 0
Nr of pounds gained:0
Diet changes: introduced post runs smoothies, increased calcium intake, switched from lettuce to spinach in salads, reduced process meat consumption (e.g., lunch meat), increased free range eggs consumption, introduced 2/week salmon dinners/lunches, changed about 50% chocolate consumption from milk to dark, introduced the 1 cup berries and 1-2 handfuls nuts/day rule, reduced soda intake to 1 can of coke or diet coke/day, reduced coffee intake to 12 oz/day.

Lessons learned:
1) I love training
2) I love running fast
3) I love listening to podcasts on long or easy runs
4) Racing with music helps me go faster.
5) Running takes patience. The body needs to get used to the slow increased in mileage and speed.
6) Running faster can help change foot strike (was heel striker, now am forefoot striker)
7) Rotating running shoes is a good thing.
8) Strength training is important and not too boring if I do it while watching TV at night.
9) Learning to swim is challenging and fun.
10) Own personality translates into running. But, running allows one to experiment, with less drastic consequences than real life.
11) It does not pay off to try to explain to people that running strengthens, not destroys the joints. But, I still think it is important to do it.
12) I am grateful to be able to run, bike and swim as much as I a.m

I've had a blast in 2009! I want even more in 2010! I don't make resolutions, but am looking forward to more of the same, and a couple of new athletic adventures! Have a Happy New Running Year!