# of races coming up in Sept, Oct, and Nov of this year: 5
# of half-marathons completed: 2 (3rd one is in two weeks)
# of minutes it took me to run a mile a year ago: 12:35
# of minutes to complete a mile now (average, comfortable pace): 9:22
# of minutes for my best mile ever: 8:04
# of minutes for my best 5K: 29:33
# of minutes I'd like to run a 5K in: under 27
# of running shoes I've gone through in the past year: 2
# of packets of Gu I have consumed over the past year: approximately 14
# of tiny Asian men who's marathon dreams I've crushed after bowling into them during a race: 1
# of times I've thought to myself, "I hope that guy is okay" over the past year: 16
# of toenails I've lost: ZERO (whoooo-hoooo!)
# of times I've had to poop outside: ZERO (though there was one very close-call...thankfully, a grocery store was nearby. Gross, I know. Sorry.)
# of friends I've encouraged to come to Hill Day: 27
# of friends who've actually come to Hill Day: 1 (thank you, Courtney B!)
# of times in a conversation Deana and Jen roll their eyes at me whenever Hill Day is brought up: approximately 2
% in an average conversation that Courtney S and I dedicate to talking about running: approximately 44%
# of times someone has actually gotten up from the table during a conversation with Courtney S and I because they are bored because we are talking about running/racing: 13
# of times I've considered doing the Vegas Half-Marathon again: 6
# of times I've had to remind myself, "DON'T DO IT!" and snap myself back into reality: 6
# of moments before a run I've thought to myself, "Why am I doing this?": 301
# of times I've finished a run and thought to myself, "This is the greatest feeling in the world!": 301
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It's been a great year in running. I want to point out that there is nothing remarkable, unique, or special about me; I'm just a woman rapidly approaching middle age (gahhh!) who happens to own a pair of sneakers and an alarm clock. (Trust me - elite/advanced runners would sniff at these stats, quite rightly so). But the point is: If I can do it, you can do it. I am just delighted with this sport and everything that comes with it. If I could pass that feeling that running produces in me along to others, I would - and am trying to. :-) So if you've ever thought about it, wanted to do it, but weren't sure where to start, don't overthink it. Just get out there and run!