Heading for 2013 -- Full Speed Ahead

Boy, where did 2012 go? Running seems to carry me right through, no matter what is happening in the "real" world. While real-life topics such as "fiscal cliff" and "gun control" capture our interest, we manage to keep our running going through thick and thin, good and bad, no matter what it takes -- barring injury. Today, I started the day helping fellow runner Nancy Rollins and her crew put on a small 5K in snowy Northbrook. It was fun to apply new meaning to "sweeper" as I swept the first and last few hundred yards of the course. After this fun race, which drew about 120 runners, I headed home and took my own run of about 8.5 miles on the snowy, but very run-able Illinois Prairie Path in the west suburbs. It is SO nice to be running with no injuries and no imminent race plans. There are New Year's Eve and New Year's Day races coming up, so good luck to all participants! I'll be running, but not racing, and as many of you know, I'll be cross-country skiing when I find skiable snow. That's another great running-related sport full of great races, short and long. Back to pure running, I have now done it for 50 years, and believe me, I am thankful for that. Good luck as you make plans for 2013, and congratulations for all of your progress and accomplishments in 2012. I know I'm ready for wherever the running adventure takes me!