Holiday Half Marathon was supposed to be the last one (#14) for 2013.

I had entertained Operation Jack last year, but didn't think I'd be ready. My training has shifted to be in optimal condition for LA Marathon 2014. Operation Jack appealed to me because it isn't a big race and receives a lot of local runner community support.

The Operation Jack Autism Foundation serves to benefit autism-related charities nationwide.

For real, this is the last one (#15) for me until January 2014. It's been a fun ride. Thanks for all the smiles, high five's and inspirational FaceBook posts.

"Racing is pain, and that's why you do it, to challenge yourself and the limits of your physical and mental barriers. You don't experience that in an armchair watching television."

-Mark Allen, 6-Time Hawaii Ironman World Champion

"People can't understand why a (wo)man runs. They don't see any sport in it. Argue it lacks the sight and thrill of body contact. Yet, the conflict is there, more raw and challenging than any (wo)man versus (wo)man competition. For in running, it is man against himself, the cruelest of opponents.

The other runners are not the real enemies. His adversary lies within him, in his ability, with brain and heart to master himself and his emotions."

Glenn Cunningham - American runner, Olympic Games medalist

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This month marks my one-year "walkiversary".

What a difference stick-to-it has made with the help of Weight Watchers, inspiration and friendships I've made through local running groups and support from family and friends:

Progressed from slowly walking around the block, 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons and culminating (in about a year) with Los Angeles Marathon 2014 (26.2 miles).

San Diego is my stomping ground as a multi-year attendee of Comic-Con held in July. A few years ago, we went to the official FINAL "Chuck" cast and creative team 'Con panel. They were handing out t-shirts to the audience commemorating the final season. I remember holding up the t-shirt and saying to my youngest, "There's no way I'm ever going to fit into this". I sported the t-shirt on my 'bod' this weekend.

The San Diego Half Marathon is a premier race that celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of San Diego, while raising money to help its communities.

The San Diego Half Marathon is doing business as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) with all net proceeds going towards community service projects and select charitable causes in San Diego. In addition to the funding, they hope to catalyze volunteerism as a way to help hurting communities throughout the city. The San Diego Half Marathon will also benefit additional charities by enabling runners to raise money for any or all of the select causes that are important to them.

The L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run/Walk is one of the largest and longest-running Chinese New Year charity run in the country. 100% volunteer organized. 100% of net proceeds are reinvested in the community.

That was fun. Those hills were steep. I'll be ready for the 10K next year. It felt good to cheer other people on as they neared the finish line. I was giddy watching the Minions bop around.

I PR'd my pace in this Firecracker Run by 02:48 (per mile) from my pace during New Year's Race Los Angeles 2012!!! Woot!!!

Scored my third half-marathon blingage.

It's coming up on a year since I took that "first step" to a healthier, active lifestyle.

Thanks to the volunteers, cheer leaders, training coaches and other run-walkers for their generous spirit and hard work.

“There are days when you don't feel like running. Those are the days you have to do it. Discipline is doing what you don't want to do so you can do what you really want to do. Got that?”
― Runner's World

Lolly-gagging with friends and taking pictures of the downtown LA landscape, I managed to PR by shaving off 10 minutes from my finish time at Rock 'n Roll Halloween Half-Marathon.

The New Year’s Race Los Angeles course offered its runners a unique tour of downtown Los Angeles—A NIGHT RACE under the glow of the bright city lights. The course started on 7th Street and Grand Avenue which is known as the “Taste of Downtown.”

The finish line brought us to L.A. Live complex.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience that I shared with many friends. The best swag ever - runners' sweatshirt hoodie and shiny, sparkly half-marathon medal that would make Flava-Flav jealous.

The race was well-organized with plenty of port-potties, water and first aid stations. I'd do this race in a heartbeat in 2014.