As 2010 comes to a close, it's time to take a step back and look at where I've been this year, how far I've come, and where I want to go for 2011. 
2010 brought:

* 619.2 miles run.  While this is 210 miles less than 2009, I also am trying to remind myself that I didn't run for six weeks while hurt and then also spent a couple of weeks out of town, one being a backpacking trip where I was (hopefully) getting a lot of exercise in and the other a church girls camp where I was in charge of a bunch of teenage girls and couldn't seem to get away to run at all.  I did try to run up the hills near my campsite when I was out and about though! 

* A trail running injury.  Eight stitches later I have a great scar in the shape of an "L" on my left knee.  I will never forget which knee is Left again.  Unfortunately, I also didn't get to run for over a month because of it.  Mostly because it hurt to walk!

* A race a month for September, October, November, and December.  I've never done a race a month before.  It was fun and kept up my motivation when the going got tough to get out of bed as the sun rose later and later this winter.

Son, Myself, and Niece warm up for the Jingle Bell 5K

* A PR for the 5K for my Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving!  Yay! I know lots of people go MUCH faster than 24:07, but, for me it was an accomplishment.  And, what if I actually put effort into speedwork?  What would happen then??



* An age group win.  No, not just in the small church sponsored race, but in the Jingle Bell 5K that happened on Dec 18th.  Somehow in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I didn't get the photos posted about it.  My 15 year old niece wanted to run a Christmas 5K, so we found this one.  Niece, Son, and I ran while Husband and Daughter cheered us on.  I was a lot slower than the Thanksgiving 5K, but I guess everyone else was as well, and I ended up with a cool handmade Christmas ornament to take home!  What was even cooler was that Niece finished her first 5K ever!  She totally earned her t-shirt!



Handmade ornament as an age group prize!



* A nice running blog surprise today.  Husband cued up this podcast and played it for me.  It's Husband giving the intro and promoting this blog.  I listen to Chris Russell's podcast while early morning running regularly, and love listening to his interviews and perspective.  How cool that Husband did this!  And if you've arrived here via Run Run Live, welcome!

What a year it's been!  And I didn't even mention any job, family, or kid related stuff!

Stay tuned... I'll be posting my goals for 2011 soon.