Jan. 1 - Thousands of runner-wannabes resolve to start running to lose weight. Months later, thousands of runners continue running after losing weight, forgetting the reason they started running in the first place. Jan. 10 - Michigan race directors agree to modify one age group to give more runners a chance for top finishes. The modification: Previous age group: 40-45; New age groups: 40-45, and 40-45 runners named Paul Aufdemberge

Feb. 4 - A new running shoe is launched that is guaranteed to lower PRs. Unfortunately, the manufacturer issues a quick recall when leakage appears in the fuel line between the fuel storage tank and jet turbine.

Feb. 25 - A Keego Harbor man's head explodes after researching all the possible marathon training and nutrition options on the Internet. Later that day he puts his head back together and decides to just "run a lot," eat in moderation and see what happens.

March 16, 10 a.m. - A 10-year study on the effects of exercise reveals exercise is good. The study's chief researcher says, "Too bad more people don't know it."

March 16, 10:04 a.m. - Forty new companies form to hawk products to help people exercise without actually getting off the couch.

March 19 - Hundreds show up for the Martian Marathon in Northville ready to depart for Mars and run in a gravity-free atmosphere, only to find out the name is just a promotional angle. A few folks set PRs despite cold, wind and normal gravity.

March 26 - Runners in Belmont's "Run a Mile for a Smile" 5K are not sure what to do for the other 2.1 miles, so they just run and smile anyway. Race organizers are contemplating changing the race name to "Run as Long as You Want with a Smile but the Race is a 5K"

April 4 - The Surgeon General warns that breathing too much during a marathon can cause a condition called good performance. Runners everywhere look for new and innovative ways to breathe while running.

April 18 - A new watch hits the market that allows runners to track heart rate, pace, foot-strike speed, body temperature, stride length, glycogen levels, hydration percentage, course elevation, distance to finish, wind speed and mood. The watch designers fail, however, to actually get the device to run for you. That, they admit, must still be accomplished though individual hard work.

May 4 - A new MIT study reveals if you add up the numbers on all your race bibs, divide by the total number of races, add the average number of participants in each race and multiply by your age, you will learn you may be obsessive about racing.

May 28 - Bayshore Marathon participants enjoy a cool, scenic start followed by a cool, gorgeous, windless run to a flat, thrilling finish. It's news to only those who have never run the race before.

June 8 - A new product hits the market that guarantees elimination of blisters. The product fails when runners discover that, while reclining in a La-Z-Boy eating double-fudge ice cream really does stop blisters, it doesn't do much for PRs.

June 18 - A runner from Midland finishes her first race and wonders why she hadn't started racing years ago.

July 4 - Frankenmuth's Volkslaufe sets a record for the most people entering a race without being able to pronounce its name (let alone know what it means).

July 31 - The Food and Drug Administration announces too much of anything is bad for you. In a related event, Atkins Nutritionals Inc. declares bankruptcy. Records indicate Atkins owes $300 million in outstanding principal and interest and a huge apology to carb-loving runners everywhere.

Aug. 13 - The devil sneaks into the Run Thru Hell race. He's heard afterward grumbling that the real thing "ain't got nothing on this race."

Aug. 27 - 13,700 runners participate in the Crim Festival of Races in Flint. 13,700 runners wonder why Flint gets such a bad rap.

Sept. 14 - A jogger is arrested in West Bloomfield Township for running on the shoulder of the road, with traffic, at night, with a smooth, safe bike path only 10 feet away. He is eventually released, claiming he broke no law. In response to the incident, the township is considering a law against stupidity.

Oct. 9 - At the Chicago Marathon, 2,000 runners prematurely celebrate PRs only to learn that their record time was from the gun to the start line, not the finish line.

Oct. 23 - The Detroit Free Press Marathon is recognized as having the largest percentage participant increase since 2000 (up 63 percent). Former participants sadly comment, "Damn, our secret is out."

Oct. 25 - At about the same time, but in different locales, runners from Battle Creek, Petoskey and Boyne City realize during a particularly- enjoyable fall run that you don't have to be fast to enjoy running.

Nov. 2 - An advanced training machine is developed that combines the cardio benefits of a treadmill, the core benefits of plyometrics, the leg strengthening of a stair climber and the total body toning of an elliptical. While the market is slow to accept the technology, NASA is investigating using the machine as a launch mechanism for the next space shuttle.

Nov. 14 - Runner's World publishes an article titled "110 Runners Who Inspired us in 2005." This writer wonders why his wife - a first-time Detroit Free Press Marathon relay runner who couldn't run a mile four months earlier, overcame anxiety and doubt to run two minutes faster per mile than she had ever run before - is not on the list.

Dec. 15 - A light snow hits Michigan, forcing hundreds of drivers to curse the snow and cold and hundreds of runners to praise the beauty and peace of winter running.

Dec. 31 - Thousands of runners around the state fondly remember their best race or run of the year knowing it can only get better- if they keep going. MR