Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Best of 2009

I reviewed my 2009 goals today and was pleasantly surprised to see that I did pretty well. The rundown:

Goal 1: Run a sub 54:00 10K. So close. But just couldn't quite eek it out.

Goal 2: Run a 4:30-ish marathon. Done.

Goal 3: Run sub-2:05 half marathon. Done. Although as the year went on, my goal morphed into a sub-2:00 half. That one will have to stay on the list for next year!

Goal 4: Get a Mora Classic medal. I'm 3/4 of the way there. The final event is in February (the cross country ski). Guess I best dust off those skis and get my butt in gear.

Goal 5: 2009 miles in 2009. Um, big fat fail. I'm not even going to hit 1000 for 2009 - more like 930. On the positive side, that's more miles than I ran in 2008.
Although I've had a lot of running highs in the past year (and a couple of lows), there are three memories that really stand out as my favorites. The first: the Madison Mini Marathon in August. I didn't set a PR, but the race was so much fun and really restored my love for running after a tough couple of summer races.
My second favorite running moment of 2009 was running with Sophie in her very first race at the Grantsburg 5K in June. Sophie ran the distance of a football field and got her first race medal. I'm happy to report that running seems to be in her blood - she can now make it a whole lap around the track (and today, when she saw me in running clothes, asked if we were going for a run at the running track).
But my absolute favorite running moment of 2009 was running the lap around Lambeau field at the finish of the Green Bay Marathon. It wasn't just the thrill of running on the field (although that certainly was a part of it). Everything just came together - all of the hard work put in through what I considered my best training cycle ever, all of the times I kept pushing during the race, and all of the emotions of being close to the finish and knowing I had smashed my marathon PR. Definitely a runner's high if there ever was one.
Aside from the running highlights, I am also proud of how I incorporated cross training in the past year. I added biking this summer (and have stuck with it this winter using my trainer), I fell in love with kettlebells two months ago and have been going strong, and I've been regularly submitting myself to Jillian Michaels' various forms of torture.
It's been a great year and being part of this runner blogging community has really enhanced the joy I find in running. Thanks for following along with all my adventures and for sharing yours with me!

17 comments:

Erika said...

Great job hitting your goals! Look forward to hearing your goals for 2010.

Are you planning to run the Madison Mini this year? I'm pretty sure I'll be signing up for that one.

MCM Mama

Julie said...

You did such an wonderful job working hard for your goals Heather. I am sure that 2010 will be another successful year in terms of accomplishments.

My co-worker has those Jillian tapes and she says those work outs kick some big time butt!!

Those are great pictures you have. I love the one of you with your medal proudly displayed around your neck:)

Sarah said...

Great post....congrats on a great year!!!

Jess said...

Great job meeting most of your goals! And you certainly had some great highlights!

I love reading all these review posts. Everyone has accomplished SO much this year. Exciting.

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

great job hitting those goals! And a big congrats to Sophie on her finish! :) Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an excellent year and enough motivation for 2010!

The Sean said...

Great job!! Don't forget to account for cross-training in your "mileage". Work is work so incorporate that into your yearly output!! You probably did a lot more than you think!

Katie A. said...

You did AWESOME this year! You should be proud! Great running highs! I am sure 2010 will be epic!
Love that pic of Sophie, hopefully you will still be blogging when she takes up runnign in high school ;) (wink, wink)

Jeri said...

Your little one is adorable. :) Glad she has running in her genes today. Gave me goosebumps about your comment about GB. You had quite the year in 2009!!

I Run for Fun said...

Wonderful job! It is so satisfying looking back and seeing how far you've come.

Have a wonderful New Year!

Running Through Life said...

Congrats on a great year and wishing you a wonderful 2010. I hope to meet up with you in Madison this year for the Marathon as well as the Mini Marathon. Happy New Year!

Carly said...

Congratulations on a great year! Can't wait to hear about 2010 goals and race plans.

RunMommyRun said...

Great job on your goals in 2009! I am inspired by your dedication to the sport - you fit in motherhood, working and running, which is no small feat!

Anonymous said...

You had an amazing year!! And it is so awesome to see kids getting excited about fitness- never too young!!! I look forward to following your in your 2010 journey!

Laurel said...

Great job with all the goals this year. Sounds like you had a great one.

Here's to 2010. Happy new Year!

Beth said...

Great recap on a great year. Congratulations on meeting so many of your goals. Happy New Year and continued good luck in 2010.

Ali said...

Looks like a great and successful year ... well done Heather!