25 days until 2012

Yesssssss!

We're only 25 short days away from January 1, 2012.  Wow.  Where has this year run off to?  {Running pun fully intended!}  With just 25 days left in 2011, I feel the need to state 25 positive things about all of the miles I have logged this year.  Things I've learned.  Things that have happened.  Milestones.  It's kind of a letting go of 2011...planning ahead for 2012 thing for me.  I know.  You're rolling your eyes at me for already planning for the new year.  Here's a secret.  I've been planning for 2012 since January of 2011.   Sick & twisted, aren't I?  Let's do this....

1. New injuries popped up (as usual).  Though injuries are not positive, they did lead me to cross train more.  I branched out & tried multiple group exercise classes.  Some of them, I’ve kept on the schedule weekly since discovering their awesomeness.  In a strange way, shin splints were a blessing.
2. I finally made it to my half marathon time goal of 2:30.  As a matter of fact, I totally smoked it by cruising over the finish line in 2:23:35!  Woohoo!  This was the finish time I wanted for my very first half marathon back in March of 2010, but instead finished in 2:47:59.  Who knew it would take a year and a half to finally get to my goal?  Good thing I stuck with it, eh?
3. Setting not only one new 5k PR, but TWO!  I know.  It’s so fabulous!  The first was in February at the Heart Breaker 5k.  The next,Portland’s Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.  Man, I raced my heart out that day.  Since my very first 5k in August of 2009, I’ve shaved 4 minutes 21 seconds off my 5k finish time.  Amazing.  Simply amazing.
4. The toenails I lost during all of my 15 mile long runs in the summer have finally grown back!  I’m able to paint my nails again.  It’s the little things in life….
5. My husband is running with me more.  He’s logged more miles in the past 3 months than he has since high school.  It’s time we get to spend together without the interruption of our cherubs.  We love the kids dearly, but it’s nice to have something that’s just for us.
6. I’ve watched several friends jump on the running bandwagon this year!  I love it!  One of these days, we will all get to run a race together.  How amazing will that be?
7. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been.  Physically stronger.  Mentally stronger.  Emotionally stronger.  Spiritually stronger.  I can thank running for this strength. 
8. I’ve learned a lot about Vancouver this year.  I run all over town (literally).  Funny how you find stores & learn roads as you’re running past them. 
9. I’ve found a running connection with a few of my new neighbors.  We never actually run together, but it’s fun to see them at races now & then.
10. Throughout the year, I’ve found myself running for myself vs. having to for a training plan or calorie burn.  My husband says I’m turning into a “zen runner”.  I disagree. 
11. Being alone in my own little head is pretty important.  It took me a while to figure that out about myself, but running provides that time for me.  I worked a lot of things out this year during those weekly 11 to 15 mile long runs.
12. I’ve discovered I don’t really have anything in common with people who aren’t active.  It’s becoming more of a struggle to keep in touch with these individuals.  Hmmmm.
13. People who are constantly trying to compete with me are idiots.  Trying to beat MY race finish times, making a point to log more miles than I have for the year, etc..  Have you seriously not figured out I don’t give a shit what YOUR goals are?  I’m all about ME.  Get over yourself.
14. I had the best race picture taken of me at the finish line of the Vancouver USA Half Marathon this summer.  It’s one of the only race pictures I’ve ever liked.  Actually, it is the only race picture I've ever liked.  How fabulous is that? (See picture above.)
15. I discovered my love for running capri tights.  Specifically, Skirt Sports Under Skirt Capris.  I know…silly to even mention it.  However, I love them so much they had to make the list.  In Ohio, it was either really cold or really hot out.  So there wasn’t much need for mid season tights.  Here in Washington, however, totally different ball of twine.  I wear them most of the year here.  (Modeled in the picture at the top of this blog post.) 
16. I had to buy new shoes, and the sales guy at Fit Right NW took one look at my bloody, blistered, festered toes & taught me a cool new way to lace my shoes so my toes won’t scoot down to the end of my shoe (causing toe blisters) while I run.  This lacing method, along with a size larger shoe with a bigger toe box, has saved my poor little toes.  No more toe blisters or black nails!  I should blog about that lacing method in more detail sometime.
17. I set a few goals for the year, and I stuck with them.  I’ve participated in 12 races for the year.  My goal was 11…so I beat my own goal.  Very cool.  I also set the goal to run 1,000 miles.  I’m *this* close to getting there.  As of today, only 73 to go.  I can do that.  And if I don’t, I came really close.  I’ve logged 648 MORE miles than I did last year.  To me, that’s really saying something about my dedication.  Not dedication to the sport, but to my health.
18. I finally ran a distance longer than a half marathon.  15 miles.  The first time I did it, I literally cried when I looked down at my Garmin to see the mileage milestone.  There was a time when 1.5 seemed out of reach.  Wow.
19. I consumed 37 packs of Strawberry Shot Bloks (give or take a few).
20. I made some really great new friends thanks to my running blog.  Some far away.  Some local.  I feel very blessed to have them in my life.  Especially since I’ve decided to ditch a few of the old ones!
21. I ran a 12k for the first time.  We don’t have a lot of 12k races around here.  That makes the one I ran a PR for me! lol
22. I discovered most of the Portland area races are the same route over and over again.  I’m turning into a “run my own damn race” kind of gal because of that.  Thank goodness Vancouver is stepping up to the plate & hosting more events for us.
23. I actually finished a 5k faster than my husband!  However, he has made a point to kick my ass with stellar finish times ever since. Lol
24. I’ve learned how to push through pain.  I think this was an important lesson for me.  So many times, I would give up on something because I was uncomfortable.  I’m not talking strictly about running.  With life in general, I would give up.  I mean, who wants to hurt?  Running has helped me see that there is an end to the pain.  It will eventually stop.  I simply have to plow through it.
25. I made up my mind to run a full marathon in 2012.  Yes, I’m finally going to go all the way!  I am strong enough.  I am dedicated to training for such an event.  I can and will do this.  Please keep reading in 2012 as I train for the summer event.