13 for 2013

I got up and had a great run this morning!  I started 2013 with 13 miles and I ran every single step!  I wasn't overly fast, but I purposely ran a very hilly route.  It was a cool, breezy 38 degrees when I headed out.  I took a break at the local dog park just past the halfway point.  I refilled my water bottle and used the restroom.  When I started running again, I was cold for about a mile!  My top was wet from sweat and the wind was blowing right through me.  But I kept on moving and eventually warmed back up.

For the first time in a long time, I had a negative split.  I ran the first half in 1:13:46 and the second half in 1:12:04.  My slowest mile was mile #1 at 11:47 and my fastest was mile #9 at 10:33.

13.01 miles in 2:25:50, 11:12 pace
Ave HR 146
Max HR 174
Calories burned 1,316
Total elevation gained 1,748 feet - any run over 100 feet per mile is hilly in my mind!

I was pleasantly surprised when I hit the 9 mile mark and realized I only had 4 miles to go.  That's when I decided I want to do "13 in 13" - in other words, I want to run 13 half marathons this year.  I realize today's distance was .09 shy of a true half marathon, but it was close enough!  These obviously won't all be organized races, since today was just a solo run, but I think this is the running goal I'm going to work on this year.  This is not out of reach since I ran 16 runs of 13 miles or longer last year.

I've seen "13 in 2013" on several running blogs.  This is committing to run 13 races of any distance in 2013.  I like that idea, too, but I'm too cheap to sign up for that many races!

Any 13 for 13 plans for you?