Happy New Year to everyone out there in blogland! After a week and half of trying to force myself into a positive outlook, I think I have finally achieved it, just in time for the new year. I have 1.5 more weeks without running, but I am excited to get back to it (slowly and carefully) and in the meantime am excited to start working out at my brand new gym. It costs more than twice what I was paying at 24Hour Fitness, but I think it just might be the best investment ever, so I don't care about the money. I am excited to swim where there are 12 lanes, (including year-round outdoor swimming!) run on a track or a nice treadmill, start taking yoga and get back into spinning where you don't have to fight for a spot in class. I am also really excited to find and train for a marathon in 2011. It was a huge setback to have that taken away from me for next week, but I am over it and moving forward. Maybe I missed the 1 from 5-4-3-2-1 in the one-year period, but that is no reason to give up, and I won't.
What I've Accomplished:
In one year I went from being able to run 2 miles without stopping to being able to run 11 miles without stopping.
I completed 14 races in one year, plus a 25 mile bike race/ride through Colorado wine country.
I mountain biked for the first time and completed an awesome, difficult Grand Canyon hike.
I got to run through some awesome scenery on an amazing course and see the Hoover Dam for the first time.
I earned all those medals pictured, plus a bunch of other cool schwag along the way. (the 26.2 medal is for doing 2 Rock and Roll Half Marathons in a year, just a disclaimer)
Oh, and oh yeah, I married the love of my life, rescued another dog who I adore and is now a huge part of our family, and got a job that I love where I am challenged and paid well and respected.
There is no way I am going to let an injury take all of that away!
What's to Come
I want to quickly re-visit my goals for 2011 just so that I am re-upping on my commitment to all of them. Here they are from a post a couple months ago:
Complete a full marathon: Update: Now looking for one in the Spring (Colorado Marathon is already full. SAD!)
To weigh less than 190 pounds. I am keeping this one fairly general, simply because of my changing muscle mass. I know this is a good number for me, and I know I have weighed less than this, but I have never been as strong as I am now (and getting stronger everyday) 190 is a good base number for a 6'1" woman, and that is what I choose to have as a goal for weight. For now. Update: I have SUCKED at dropping pounds this year. I am stronger, but I weight the same and wear the same size. This WILL change, and it all has to do with food.
To fit into size 12 pants. This is more important to me than the above number. Update: Still in the dreaded 16 jeans. It's only two sizes. I can do this.
To finish my book proposal by my 35th birthday (in August) I get so busy writing and editing at work that I forget to spend time writing and editing the stuff that means the most to me. I need to make time for this.
To be able to do 20 man push ups in a row. I can do zero right now. Or maybe half. But I am starting at zero.
To do an Olympic distance triathlon. I still love the sprint distance, but it is time to move onward and upwards towards bigger tris. I will put one on the schedule for this summer. Update: Looking at Cherry Creek Streak Olympic. Loved that sprint last year.
To be able to bike up Lookout Mountain. (I want to participate in Beer Bike Bench this year; oh yeah, it's on)
To (finally) hit a 10 minute pace for an entire half marathon.
To go visit my dad and stepmom at least monthly. They are only an hour away, but I never get down there to see them because I am always so busy. I miss them. And they won't be around forever. I need to get down there more often.
All of these goals will be made easier by accomplishing the weight-loss goal. That is the cold, hard truth. I regularly fall into the trap of burning so many calories that I am constantly hungry, but then eating so much that I end up overcompensating. I sadly will be starting this year at a weight very similar to the original start number (I will weigh in tomorrow and then continue to do so on the 1st and 15th each month)
To end my New Year post, I want to include a few pictures.
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| Turkey Trot, 2007, where I weighed 235 and walked all of it with my dad while Mike ran. |
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| This year's Turkey Trot, where I ran all 4 miles without stopping. |
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| 2008 Tri for the Cure, with my friend Amy. I finished in 2:15 and still weighed around 230 |
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| Cherry Creek Streak sprint tri. Finished in 1:59 and weighed 211. Can't wait to add to this album in 2011! See you all out there! Happy New Year! |
Despite the injury you had a great year and should be very proud of yourself! You rock!
ReplyDeleteYou have alot to be proud of! I'm looking forward to followin your journey and watch as you accomplish all of your goals.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking about you and wondering how you were doing with the injury. So glad to hear that you are doing better and getting over the disappointment. You had a fantastic year and you will do that 26.2!
ReplyDeleteI did the Olympic Creek Streak this year and I have to say that it was an ok race the only thing that I found to be a bit of a bummer was that because it's so small I was finishing and out there pretty much all by myself. I was the only one in my age group 45-49. I think I would have enjoyed something bigger. Or maybe I just need to be faster. :)
You three are the best! I am looking forward to following your journeys, too! It's going to be a great year! Thanks for the advice on the CC Sneak tri, Julie. I will keep that in mind. I love CC reservoir, though. Not because of the water (yuck) but because I have done enough races there that I feel really comfortable. Maybe it's time to get out of that comfort zone. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the pic of all your race medals!! That's inspiring!
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