Looking Back

It is the time of year for reflecting on accoplishments and challenges, goals met and forgotten, good times and bad.  I started looking back by going to my first blog entry in February, 2010, when I wrote:

I am going to run a marathon. I have not decided when, or where, but I'm going to do it.
I started to train yesterday. I ran for 30 minutes and went 3 miles plus a warm up and cool down. At that pace, it would take me 4 hours and 22 minutes to run the marathon distance, IF I could keep that pace going for 4 hours and 22 minutes, which I definitely couldn't have done yesterday, hence the training.

This October, I ran a marathon, finishing in 4:20:30 (chip time), just a smidge faster pace than that tough first 5K run just 8 months before.  That feels like an accomplishment.

The reason I pushed myself to make this goal, and to get up off the couch and get back to running after a 3 month hiatus, was a serious case of something a little worse than the winter blahs.  This time last year, I was not in a very happy place.  Getting out for that first run was a challenge, and every once in a while, it's still a challenge to get out, but I'm so glad I took that first run of 2010 in February, and I'm so glad that I didn't stop when I had a bad day or when the weather got colder again.

Along the way to the marathon I completed two half marathons, PRing in each, and coming within less than a minute of a sub-2 hour half marathon time.  I also ran my first 10K race this year.

Without starting the year with a total mileage goal, I'm finishing with a little over 900 miles, which feels pretty good.  I've never tracked my mileage so closely before, but I know this is far more than I've ever accumulated in one year in the past.

I also didn't start with a goal to lose weight, but I've taken off a few pounds (some might say a few too many pounds), and have been more mindful about what I eat.  It makes me feel better when I run if I'm taking in good fuel, but it also makes me feel better when I'm not running if I'm eating things that are good for my body.  I have not felt as good as I have this year, in a long time.

2010 has been good to me in other ways too.  I had an amazing trip beyond the Arctic Circle with the BF, fun times with old friends in New York City, and while work has been going well, I think I've finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up (more on that soon).

Goals for 2011, coming soon!