Smiles for Miles.

It is the second week of December, and I have run approximately 2,433 miles thus far this year. My mileage tally had already rebounded by the time the calendar read, "January," when many others were closing out recuperation stints in the wake of CIM. My marathon in D.C. came at the end of October and I was gearing up for April and Eugene.

I was fully engaged in training, and my first true race of the year, a 10k in Sacramento, came on Super Bowl Sunday.

Gleefully PRing, giving the camera grins at 5:55 on the way to a 36:47.

 I recall feeling glad to have so much confidence in my running. In just a year, I transformed myself into a racer, and on this particular morning, I was eager to best my previous performance on the 10k course.

Evidence from the year's waning months, however, provide a stark contrast. My final race of 2012 came in the half marathon at the Clarksburg Country Run.

Angrily PRing, giving the camera nothing at 6:03, heading to a 1:19:11.

I'd already given up on racing to the finish, but after pushing through the ugly moments around mile 9, my pace bounced back to form. I resolved to give it what I could. It wasn't an enjoyable experience, as the image shows, but I'm happy to have the evidence, because there was a lot to learn in those 13.1.

And even though I didn't "race" in the California International Marathon as a relay participant and husband/coach, I do want to offer a final race image from my 22-mile run alongside Stephanie (just out of frame), who herself PR'd with a Boston Qualifying 3:33.

Running? Raining? Both!

It's been an incredible year--not necessarily one comprised of dramatic contrasts, but certainly one including its ups and downs. I can admit that, now that December's unfolding, the miles again include smiles. The easy ones, at least.

I promise!