Reflections of 2011

With less than a week left in 2011, I figured it would make sense to look back on the past year and see where I stand with the goals I set on January 1, 2011.

2011 Goals

1. Cross the finish line of the 2011 Cleveland Marathon upright and smiling with a little help from my friends-CHECK!!

With A LOT of help from an amazing friend

2. Run a minimum of two half marathons- CHECK- to the tune of 5 half marathons!

1/2 marathon number 1 took us to Austin, Texas in February where I finally had the chance to meet Coach Joe. 

Austin Livestrong 1/2 Marathon
Austin, Texas
February 2011

Post Austin Livestrong 1/2 Marathon
February 2011

1/2 marathon number 2 took me to Dublin, Ohio where I paced Dave to his first sub-2 hour half.

Last Chance For Boston 1/2 Marathon
February 2011

1/2 marathon number 3 took us to Nashville, Tennessee where I ran 13.1 miles in honor of Uncle Joe who was in the fight of his life, taking on esphogeal cancer. 

RNR Nashville Country Music 1/2 Marathon
April 2011



13.1 for Uncle Joe at the RNR Country Music 1/2 Marathon
April 2011

 1/2 marathon number 4 took us to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where we had the pleasure of meeting Jackie and Dan from The Biggest Loser.  We also got a chance to run the "Rocky Steps" while there.

Meeting Jackie and Dan
RNR Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon
September 2011

Rocky steps post RNR Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon
September 2011

 1/2 marathon number 5 took us to Las Vegas, Nevada where we had the opportunity to run The Strip at Night.

RNR Vegas 1/2 Marathon Expo
December 2011

RNR Vegas 1/2 Marathon
December 2011

RNR Vegas 1/2 Marathon
December 2011

3. Cross train once a week-MISS, I did get some cross training done for 2011 but not on a weekly basis.
4. Do a jump rope work out once a week- MISS, I did do jump rope work outs for a month or so in 2011 but I backed off due to marathon training.

5. Run 1,500 miles-MISS.  As of this morning I am sitting at 1281.41.  With only 5 days left in 2011 I don't think I will be hitting this mileage goal.  I pretty certain I won't be running 43+ miles per day over the next five days.  There is a possibility that I can hit 1,300 miles by December 31st so I am going to try for that. 

All in all a good year for running.  One last goal that I had set late in the year was to run a sub-4:15 at The Columbus Marathon on October 16, 2011.  I am thrilled to report that I crushed that goal crossing the line in 4:10:11.

I will be back soon with a December in review as well as my goals for 2012.
 
Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!