Christmas was nice. It was wonderful to be with my family, the kids were delighted, Santa managed to find what he misplaced, the duplicate turned out not to be. The Buche de Noel, however…..was not so great.
In the spirit of full disclosure the cake pic in my last post was what I’d HOPED it would look like. I promise I’ll share a pic of the devastation as soon as I figure out how to download from my new camera. I could give you a post mortem on what went wrong, the lessons I learned, etc. but really, in the end, all that matters is that it tasted delicious and it was enjoyed by everyone.
My year in running was similar to that cake. Ugly at times but sweet as well.
I fought through the snow and ice to begin the year with Boston training.
Got injured in February and took my running to the pool as I rehabbed.
Emerged from the deep end to run Boston pain-free, not my fastest but sweet all the same.
Emily, Meg and me in Boston
Meg, Lindsay and Jill in Boston
The Redhead and Jill in Boston
Katie A. and her husband in Boston
Heather and Robyn in Boston
In early summer I did some shorter races. While there was an AG victory, there were no PRs.
Summer brought on the Great running slump of 2010. I posted my all-time personal worst in the half marathon.
I chickened out and did not do the duathlon I’d planned on. However I rode my bike more than ever and vow to do at least one duathlon in 2011.
In August I ran the oxygen -deprived Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half with my peeps in Colorado. I ran crappily. But wow us girls had a ball! I wouldn’t trade it for all the oxygen tanks in the world.
Shana and I
Mr. SUAR, SUAR, Tara, Me and Shana in CO.
Dimity of RLAM book fame and I
Me and Geri in CO
Shana, me, Jill and Tara
I ran the hot again Chicago Marathon. It was my first DNF, albeit a mental one. Physically I finished but my mind and spirit were cooked by mile 9.
I ran Chicago on the Lupus Charity team. Thanks to many of you, I exceeded my fundraising goal five-fold, as a team we raised a record setting $60,000, and my neighbor Alex, who I ran in honor of, continues to do well!
I finished my official racing season in Grand Rapids one week post Chicago and was treated to an unlikely and very unexpected half marathon PR. Wonders never cease.
I spent the remainder of the year (except for this week) on runnbatical. I ran a Garmin-less 10k.
Bobbi and I at the turkey trot
Overall, like the Buche de Noel, not the most attractive year but it sure was delicious when I consider the friendships, the experiences and the envelopes that were pushed. Running, and life in general, is filled with ups and downs. The downs, while frustrating, make the ups that much sweeter. It is how we overcome, adapt struggle and triumph that determines the ultimate direction of the journey.
May your journey through 2011 and beyond be a sweet one!
