2011 in review

2011 was a hectic year- it basically kicked off my running "career"

Took a look at my goals I set for myself Jan 2, 2011 and compared to what actually happened. Blue is success, red is "room for improvement". This is a long post, so I don't expect anyone to read it all, more for my accountability. For photos, just scroll down :)

RUNNING

• Break into 1:40s at least once for half marathon
• didn't happen, lowest time was 1:51:56. I WILL break into 1:40s this year though, so no worries on that one. 
• Run first sat / sun half marathons back to back- might be doing a quad threat, 2 back to backs 2 weekends in a row- races being finalized. Apr 30, May 1, May 7, May 8!!
• I did succeed in doing 2 back to backs WI and MI (may 7, may 8) and CT and RI (Oct 15, Oct 16) 
• Begin to branch out of just running for training- perhaps yoga, pilates, or p90x.
• did try SOME yoga, ehhhh. Still working on adding in p90x more consistently, but I do it, so thats good 
• more consistent with workouts- doing combo of running / weights/ other workout 4x week.
• Major fail. When I'm good I will get in 3-4 workouts a week, but generally there is no consistency to my training 
• upgrade my  Half Fanatics moon status to Earth by completing 16 halfs in 16 states in 365 day time frame.
• went above and beyond- ending up at Venus due to running 20 1/2s in 20 states in 365 time frame. Will be upgraded to Mercury- 23 1/2s in 365 time frame by February 
• run my first 10k 'race' and find other intermediate races to participate in on non half weekends. 
• did run 1 10 k--- it was awful.... in fact my time for the 10k was slower than what I run 7 miles in DURING a half marathon race. Awful experience recapped HERE
• strive for 90-100 miles / month
• major fail here. I achieved 105 miles in January, wasn't smart about the increase in miles, developed ITBS, took several months light, and the closest I've come to 100 miles again was Oct with 93 miles. 

WORK

• Figure out and make a step toward grad school / CHES certification (work to me) 
• registering for CHES certification. Naturally it falls on the same day as Country Music 1/2, but since test is only offered twice a year, I have to suck it up. 
• Less stress- focus on the small changes my clients are making, big or small and remind myself I help make a difference in someone else's life.
• I've done much better about this. There will always be those arrogant, thick headed individuals who don't listen to a word I say and always complain, but thats life
• Branch out of comfort zone and interact with other departments and meet more colleagues.
• Between doing Financial Peace twice, my Ragnar Tennessee team, and just being more social and networking I've definitely made some more friends and contacts. 
• keep eyes open for opportunities for development 
• this year was super busy at work, so there wasn't as much time for me to take advantage of a lot of opportunities, but now that I'll be on a different system, I will have much more availability to do so! 

SOCIAL

• will join some type of running group / activities club to meet more people. 
• does online dating count?!?! haha kidding (sort of) No "official" group joined. Debating on doing Monday night runs now with Fleet Feet. 
• do a better job to keep in touch with friends both in the city and back home
• running has definitely strengthened some friendships and allowed me to reconnect with old friends. 
• talk with parents / siblings more- keep closer tabs on nephews 
• Done. Eric I talk often with about running. Andy always has questions on nutrition for weight loss as well as gout. Mom just to catch up. Dad on work questions. 
• Continue to work on saving money and not splurging it on weekends and going out. 
• This is part way accomplished- I don't splurge money on weekends, but I did travel to 18 different states in 9 months, which costs money! So I guess you could say my money was re-allocated to running. 

MY OWN WELL BEING

• get back into journaling ups and downs before bed to help de-stress
• hit or miss but I did do a better job about this. I don't think I'll ever get back into doing every night like I did year prior. Its always fun to go back and look at entries from 4 years ago--- man was I miserable!! Makes you appreciate where you are now :) 
• read at least one health related / self improvement book / month
• Big fail here, but I'm okay with that.  I have been reading more for leisure. I guess it has "improved" me a bit because I can carry on conversations about what everyone is reading- most recently the whole Hunger Games &  Girl With Dragon Tattoo Series (sidebar, the movie is AMAZING, its rare to have a book turned movie be so accurate, but this was eerily close, just a few minor changes) 
• again with yoga or pilates :) 
• nope just doesn't excite me so its time to stop incorporating that into goals
• work on time management so have more free time for others and myself of course 
• done. 
• positive self-affirmations everyday- remember to be thankful for my life :) 
• I would say I do this about 50% of the time 

So in Short, here is what happened by the numbers: 

• 700 miles ran- original goal was to hit 1000, however no miles were ran in February, March, or April outside of scheduled 1/2 marathon races. Stupid IT Band. 
• 18 half marathons in 9 months (no half marys in June, Nov, or Dec) 
• 8 states I ran in were the first time ever stepping foot on their soil (MS, LA, AR, KS, WV,PA, CT, RI)
• 2 Ragnar Relays
• 1 10k
• 1 5k
• 1 PR
• 5 friends I reconnected with due to racing in their city and meeting up :)
• 6 races family came out to cheer me on (live 5 hours away from closest relatives) 
• 7 bloggers met (in order of appearance- Rebecca W, Jill H, Vanessa, Ashley R, Julia H, Stephanie F, Rachelle W)
• 10 half fanatic / marathon maniac photo meet ups
• Finished the year at Venus (7 moons level) and after Livestrong February 1/2, I'll be upgraded to Mercury (8 moons level) 

Monthly Highlights in Photos

January

Got to run in the Mississppi Blues 1/2 on Elvis' Birthday! (quite a fan)

February

IT Band went kaput during Critz Tybee 1/2

Had New Orleans race 1 week after Critz Tybee, since I've never been to the City, I still went and just walk/ran/ limped-- first time I was truly appreciative of having an ability to just run. 

First time ever in Disney World... and running in a tutu. So fun to do all the photo ops with characters

March

Little Rock 1/2- IT band/ knee pain finally died down during race and was able to run again sub 2 hours

April

Wizard of Oz 1/2- coldest race to date, but at least we looked cute doing it!

St. Louis 1/2- Worst race experience ever--- diarrhea + vomiting throughout the course

May

Busiest month- 5 half marys and my first ever BACK TO BACK experience

Kenosha, WI- got my new PR there 

Kalamazoo, MI

actually got to meet 2 of my members I had been coaching over the last year- nice to put a face to a voice :) 

 Greg 

Jeri

Mom came along to my Indy race and her and my aunt participated in the 5k

June

After a crammed filled May, June was a month off for racing... did go to Bonnaroo Music festival though, so was still able to travel

July

A close 2nd to 'worst race experience' due to heat over my birthday weekend in Erie, PA + no medal! Upside, mom was there to spend it with me and I got to cool off in Lake Erie

August

RnR Chicago- flat and fast, nothing spectacular. Randomly ran into my dorm neighbor from sophomore year in college, so that was unexpected

September

Paced my brother to help him in his FIRST half marathon experience, was neat to run on some old stomping grounds at home + have the whole fam to cheer us along

October

San Jose Rock n Roll 1/2 - the race was NOTHING to write home about, however all the Half Fanatics I met were some of the nicest racers I've met in a long time. Two of my faves: 

Endorphin Dude!

& Louie! (love his glasses)

2nd double header weekend- first time on the east coast and my top 2 most beautiful runs

Hartford, Ct- gorgeous finish line 

Newport, RI- Ocean views along the course 

AND I got to be matchy matchy with the other B and L 

"Too Legit to Quit" Ragnar Team in Vegas- amazing time with great people + I finally got back to running in the 7s again 

November

"Trunk Monkey" Tennessee Ragnar- fastest splits of the year! 

December

2nd year running Rudolph 5k. Placed 3rd in age group, but wasn't around for the awards :(

Now to figure out how to make 2012 even better! Goals to come in a few days...

Find out what other's are up to and what there goals are HERE on Jill's Fitness Blog Hop