Looking Back on the Past Year

One year ago, I was preparing to run my first marathon.  It amazes me how much things have changed. In the past year, I have:

• Run two marathons (Chicago in 2011 and Illinois in 2012)
• Run three half marathons (ChiTown, Rockford, and Heritage Haul all in 2012)
• Run one 15k (Hot Chocolate in 2011)
• Run one 10k (Spring Sprint in 2012)
• Run three 5ks (St. Paddy's Day, Sweetness Run, and Labor of Love)
• Ran an ultra marathon relay (Ragnar in June of 2012)
• Participated in one duathlon (Tri the Du)
• Volunteered at one race (some local race that I can't remember what it was called)
• Cheered at the Fox Valley Marathon
• Got injured
• Learned to love biking
• PR'd in the marathon, half marathon, 15k, and 10k distances
• Learned to appreciate every single run

The list above are things that have only happened in my "athletic" life.  Personally, I also feel like I've changed a great deal.  I've become less of a type A personality, and learned to enjoy life more.  There have been many ups and down,s but I can honestly say that I am the happiest I've ever been.  It has been quite a year, and I hope the upcoming year is just as successful as this past year.