13 Things from 2013

2013 was an awesome year! 

I give thanks to the Lord.  I praise Him in front of everyone.  (Psalms 109:30)

1. Together with Laura & Cindy we started this blog!  It's been fun writing up our training and events, and thinking up other topics like product reviews.  It's been pretty interesting too - learning about how to use social media to promote our blog and to connect with people who might be interested in what we have to say.  And I feel like it's made the three of us even closer - I hope Laura & Cindy feel that way too. Checking out the stats from our blog year-to-date, here are our top five posts in terms of page views:

Entry	Pageviews
Gatorade Energy Chews Aug 3, 2013, 2 comments	51
2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's Recap Oct 14, 2013, 1 comment	48
CareNet Feed the Need 5K Recap Nov 11, 2013	39
Hendricks County Half Marathon Recap Sep 17, 2013, 2 comments	39
Creeper Trail 10k Jul 27, 2013, 4 comments	36

A lot of our page views came from Facebook, but a surprising (to me) number also came from Google searches.  We have 120 likes for our Facebook page, and 34 followers on Twitter.  I think that's pretty good for 6 months.  84% of our Facebook fans are women, which is who we are targeting.  We do wish you all would comment more, both on our blog posts and our Facebook posts.  We enjoy hearing what you have to say & learning from your experiences, too.  



2.  I collected all the commemorative t-shirts, etc. pictured above.  13 of the t-shirts are from races, 1 is from a cycling event, and 3 are from volunteering.  The hat, 1 water bottle, and the wrist band are also from volunteering, and the other water bottle is from cycling.

3.  I ran a total of 316.14 miles in 2013, including running the Race for the Cure for the first time

(I've walked it many times), and running my first half marathon.  I ran in heat waves and cold snaps, sun, drenching rain, and snow flurries (no snow on the ground runs, though).  I ran on pavement, grass, gravel, and mud; and once on an obstacle course.  I ran with PMS that would've previously had me curled up under a heating pad crying through a chick flick & sipping hot tea.  I ran when I didn't want to, but most of the time when I ran I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I tried & reviewed several different energy chews, drank countless bottles of water, refueled with lots of chocolate milk post-run, and took many delightful naps in the recliner after my Saturday long runs.  I got to do several races with Josh, a race with my sisters, and a color run with my parents.


4.  I biked a total of 237.5 miles in 2013, including Bike to Work day on May 17 (16.28 miles there,
16.31 miles back) and the North Salem Old Fashion Days bike ride of 21.52 miles.  I biked often on the Cultural Trail, and I encourage anyone in Indianapolis who hasn't checked it out yet to do so - it's such great way to see the city!  Kevin got a bike this summer too, and we took many fun rides together around the neighborhood. 

5.  I swam a total of 2.61 miles in 2013, most of which was for the Month Long Iron Man challenge in July.  I had forgotten how much I enjoy swimming, and how hard of a workout it really is.

6.  I have no idea how many books, magazines, and newspapers I read in 2013.  A lot.  I read through the Bible for the 2nd year in a row.  In 2012 I read it in the Good News translation, and in 2013 I read it in the NIV.  I'm looking at maybe reading it in The Message for 2014.

7.  Through the Every Move app, which gives me points for all my workouts, I donated $30.00 to the Make A Wish Foundation. 

Photo by Diana Davis

8.  I spoke in front of church, in front of a lot of people, and I didn't flub it up.  I trusted God to give me the words to say, and He did.

9.  I helped organize a running/walking/biking group at work, which we expanded to include family members & neighborhood residents.  We had quite a few people participate in Bike to Work Day, and had good attendance at our bike rides around town every other Wednesday.  We also had a good showing in the Arsenal 5K and the Race for Roofs 5 Mile run/walks.

10.  I didn't get as much done at the craft table as I had wanted to do, but I did make a few cool things, including these bridal earrings for Starr & this sun tea jar for my mom.

11.  Kimmy turned 18, which means all our children are officially adults now.  We are very blessed to have some amazing kids.

 12.  Love was in the air in December!  Starr got married; my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; and Kevin & I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary.

 13.  I volunteered at the 500 Festival Mini Marathon, the 500 Festival Parade, the Brownsburg Library, the Ugly Sweater Run, and Freshman Move-In Day at IUPUI. 

Photo by Yale Wall