December 31, 2009

2009, A Year in Review & Goals for 2010

Thank God 2009 is over. Seriously, I am thankful that this year is pretty much in the books. My main resolution for 2010 is to be more thankful for the positive things in my life, because, yes, I am very blessed. So... to start things off right, I will attempt to focus on the positives of this past year.

January: First female in P'cola Beach 1/2 Marathon. I also hired a coach. This lasted all of 5 months. After May, I turned to a good friend on RWOL for running advice. This was a huge help for the 2nd half of my year.

February: First female in P'cola Half Marathon, but the highlight of this race was watching Speedy Anna take first in the marathon and break 3 hours in her FIRST marathon!

March: First overall PERSON in the Resurrection 10K in Prattville. My time smelled like eggs, but I was thrilled to help new runner, Alecia, to her first 10K. I also had my first DNS, as I skipped the Azalea Trail Run 10K, due to flooding and storms.

April: 2nd Female and PR in Old Mobile 8K. I also had one of the worst races in my life- St. Louis Marathon. Reading my RR from this race makes me tear up. Looking back, I really used some serious perseverance during this time of my life.

May: Competed in my first cycling race- Habitat for Humanity 30 miler! 3rd Female in another rainy race- Jubilee 8K.

June: 1st Female in Clanton Peach 10K, but had a totally stinky time. I had a bit of an ab injury, but really I just wasn't into racing then.

July: Got my mojo back, but no PR, in the Firecracker 5K in Louisville, 4th Female overall. Found out 100% of my students scored 3s & 4s on the State Assessment! I was super stoked about this.

August: Completed my first 100 mile week; I think I had about 6 weeks over 100 this year, but plenty in the 90s. 1st female in the Monroeville 5K, and a near PR despite the scorching temps and humidity.

September: The Bear Challenge Adventure race- enough said. I also was first overall PERSON to finish the Boys & Girls Club 10K in Montgomery.

October: FINALLY a PR, but not what I hoped for- 3:06 in the ING Hartford Marathon. Spent the weekend w/ 2 super new friends which completely made up for my disappointment.

November: A 10K PR by 46 seconds in the Food World Charity Bowl 10K in Mobile. I was 2nd overall female in this race, too. Raced the San Antonio Marathon in 3:08. I was actually pleased w/ this race b/c I gave Sub 3 a serious go, hitting the first half in 1:30. Despite hot temps, recent marathon, and hammy cramps, I gave it all I had. Highlight of this weekend, though, was spending time with Pace Runner! Unfortunately, I had a major disappointment this month by not passing my National Board Certification. I will give it another try, though, and resubmit 4 sections after redoing them.

December: Took a big break this month (the first two weeks), but had 2 RR highlights- having record number of athletes sign up for track team tryouts, as well as becoming a part of the Brooks Bluestreak Team. I am really, really excited about these two aspects of my running in 2010.

Now... 2010! Hhhmm, where to start. This past year seems so LONG. In fact, I don't even really feel like the same person. I think I did a lot of growing up this year, and had lots of life lessons that will benefit me in the long run. Here are my ideas for 2010: (Of course, these are subject to change.)

1. Sub 3 hour marathon (Duh, my blog wouldn't be complete without this one. LOL.)
2. PR in the Half Marathon
3. Get back to racing weight and hold it there. I'm up about 3-5 pounds now.

That's actually it for RR goals. Here are few personal ones:

1. Be at peace. I know that sounds cheese ball-ish, but seriously, I want to be at peace with myself, my life, and quit taking everything so darn seriously.

2. Work hard every day. I've always been a hard worker, and I'd say this is my very best quality. When life feeds you lemons though, (in the words of Michelle) making lemonade gets exhausting! That's what life is- hard work. There are definitely rewards for hard work. These rewards come in the form of happiness, laughter, and success.

3. Spend more time working on my faith. I spent a lot of this year being angry. Because of that anger, I neglected that fragile aspect of my life. Ironically, this was the time I should've been studying The Word the most.

I talk about friends all the time, but I don't think I can say enough about what my friends and family mean to me. I don't know how I ever became lucky enough to have such wonderful people in my life. For all of those I am close to, THANK YOU and I LOVE YOU!

14 comments:

  1. Awesomeness, just prue awesomeness!!!!

    Oh and Happy Birthday LAR :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. All the best in 2010.
    Happy Birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous1/01/2010

    omg you are just so inspiring! 2010 definitely has the potential to be your year :)

    i love your goals and they seem to be similar to what i want to do -- well at least the personal ones as i am no where near your level of running, maybe someday haha

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Birthday!!!

    You have accomplished so much in 2009, even through the struggles of life and terrible race conditions. Just amazing work. You are the strongest runner I know and I mean that inside and out. I wish you all the best in 2010 and many great races!!

    CJ

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG, what a LIST! You did so many amazing things last year, it's crazy. I continue to be amazed at you and all the angles you bring to your life. Happy Birthday and may this year be incredibly fulfilling in every way.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, 2009 was quite the year for you. So many ups and downs. BUT you are so right to say that the struggles and hard work are what make us stronger and bring us success in the end. Keep up the great work.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Blessings for a great year in 2010 filled with peace and joy. I can certainly relate to the anger issue but we need to number our days aright (Psalm 90:4). I wasted too much time myself when I hit my rough patch in the Fall. I will continue to lift you up in prayer and may your friends continue to be a source of encouragement at all times.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous1/02/2010

    I can't begin to say what all of your goals mean to me and how much they resonate...I did a few of my mine a couple of posts ago...and it's hard - but peace and happiness are at the time. Something to deal with the anxiety and mild depression and to accept myself...so life isn't easy is it? But we must live it.

    Life sucks. But life is beautiful.

    You have a good view about the working hard part too...so many of us wait for something to fall into our lap or pine and whine about what we want and don't have...well the only way to get it is to work for it. Give and you shall get (another recent post haha).

    Okay I'll shut up now ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous1/02/2010

    wow, you had an incredible year! I know it was a difficult one in many ways, but you handled everything with such grace and perseverance. You are such an inspiration. Wishing you many happy days in 2010!

    ReplyDelete
  10. +1 to all the comments. Your improvements in recent years have really inspired me.
    P.S. I meant Psalm 90:12. I need more work on my faith too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Amazing year and great goals for 2010. I can't wait to watch your improvements, learn from your training and continue to read your blog posts. I hope you enjoyed the holidays and wish you nothing but the best in 2010!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great post! You had an amazing year, and I know you'll only move onward and upward this year. It means a lot to me to be able to look up to people (not just as a runner) like you who work hard and keep working hard through all ups and downs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wow... that doesnt sound like a bad year to me. This was a great idea to highlight month by month your trials and accomplishments. I will definitely have to "jack" that idea for me long overdue blog...

    I hear you about the FAITH aspect! I spent alot of time being angry over things that were not under my control in 2009, but 2010 will be a year of new beginnings for me. And I will "faithfully" continue to stalk your progress and workouts.

    If it means anything to you, although you are a total stranger, sorta, I have looked at your progress over your years and it has given me a shot of "ok it can be done". Going from being somewhat fast, to slow, has been a real burden on me... my patience has been tested. So you never know who u inspire, because u have inspired me, stranger!! LOL

    Good luck to you in 2010!!!!!

    ReplyDelete