Blurry Vision

2014 is long gone and 2015 is in full force but the last year has gone by like a blur.

I had my shoulder surgery January 7 2014 and started rehab at Johnson and Hayes the next day.  I finished formal therapy but got to keep going long after that to keep working out that shoulder.  Here I am over a year later and it's still not where it needs to be.  It's better and I'm stronger and I can do more but it's not as good as I had hoped it would be.  It still hurts.  It's still weak.  It's still not working like the right side does.  But I still see improvement so I see that as a good thing.

I only did three triathlons last year, Wet Dog, Racing Rivals, and Frantic Frog.  All sprints and all as a member of the Bicycle Cove racing team.  I also did a few little running races (said with a shy grin).

I haven't written about it yet but I completed the Grand Slam this year.  This series consists of the Dizzy 50 (50K for me), Rocket City Marathon, Recover From the Holidays (50K) and Mountain Mist (50K), all completed between November 15th and January 24th.  119.2 miles of races (roughly) in 10 weeks, not counting the Xterra 15K race and the training runs.  That's a lot of running.  I'll write more about that experience later on.

2014 wasn't all about races (obviously).  Other things happened.  My daughter moved back home from college.  We had a pipe freeze in our attic that caused about $20K in damage to our house (and that took about 3 months to repair).  I also started a kids triathlon team (dtKids) and created a new kids race (the Kids Fly Tri).  I also ran a kids tri program at the YMCA for the older kids in their summer camp program.

I was fortunate enough to train a slew of adult runners and triathletes who made some major breakthroughs in distances and times and a few of them conquered fears that were holding them in chains.

On top of all that I started training at Iron Tribe Fitness.  This has been a big change for me. I believe the hard work I'm putting in at the gym is already beginning to pay off.

The year went by like a blur and this year is already starting to fly by me.  I have a lot planned for this coming year.  I created another new kids race (Rocket Kid Tri).  I expanded the kids team to include a Club and added a teen team (Triple Threat).  I put together a kids triathlon program as well as a group training program for their sprint triathlon (Soggy Seals).

My race calendar is a little sparse because I'm focused squarely on IMChoo.  January 24th I completed the hardest race I've ever done (Mountain Mist) so it makes the rest of the year's calendar looks  "easy" (well, not really...).  Next up for me is McKay Hollow 25K (my all time favorite race).  I'm going to attend an IM camp in Chattanooga that will allow me to train on the course. Then I have Racing Rivals (because I love this race) and likely Rocket Man (although it's the day after my kids tri).  IMChoo is at the end of September.  A little rest and recovery and it will be time to start training for Mountain Mist again!!

See...it's a blur.  I'm going to blink and I'll be writing my 2015 summary (probably in March of 2016 if this year is any indication!).

Out with the old, in with the new...but if you blink the new will be the old before you have your eyes opened again!

(not my shoes...)

Thanks for stopping in.  Now go train!

:D

A Tale of Two Sides of a See-Saw

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."*

For me, 2013 was the year of the see-saw.  On  one hand, my shoulder hurt the majority of the time to some degree.  (There were some days that were better than others and some I would have said it didn't hurt, but for the most part it did.)  On the other hand, I trained for and completed what is being called the  world's hardest Iron Man race (WTC -MDot- Iron Man…I am certain there are other, harder, 140.6 races out there.)   

On one hand I ONLY raced five times all year.  On the other hand, I completed my longest race ever. 

On one hand I'm fairly certain I trained less in terms of number of days but also fairly certain I trained more total hours.  

This has been my best year and my worst year in terms of being an athlete.  But the truth is I think part of the reason I'm going to say the scale is tipped in the direction of "best" is BECAUSE of the weight of the "worst".  The fact that my shoulder has been such an issue ALL YEAR LONG forced me to really be intentional about how I trained.  It forced me to listen to my body.  It forced me to see that I AM an athlete.  I am NOT a quitter.  I DO persevere in the face of struggle.  I didn't let a little pain stand in my way. I overcame a lot of obstacles this year in order to have what I wanted in the end.  This shoulder thing has sent me FLYING instead of weighing me down!

I don't think I could be more thankful for what this year has taught me.

I raced five times this year.  The first and last races were both 5Ks. Then there was one 10K, 1 sprint tri, and IMLT.   I had GREAT times at each one, both on the clock and otherwise.  I did set new PRs in all but the 5K and earned a podium spot twice!  All with a messed up shoulder!!  God has been very good to me this year!

It's funny, when I look back at my January 2013 "Looking Ahead" post, I didn't even really want to talk about the shoulder "thing."  I thought I would deal with it in January and it would be done.  Well…here I am a year later looking at surgery next week and knowing it's going to be months before I can put this "thing" behind me.

The see saw is about to be pulled off the fulcrum and used as a bat!  2014, ready or not, HERE I COME!!!

Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!

Wow...Another Year Already

It's almost that time again...to take a look at the closing year before I set my sites on things to come.  I figure the way things have been going lately, I better go ahead and write this post now instead of waiting until the end of next week.


Once again, it's so hard to believe how much I've changed in one year, how different my life looks today than it did just 365 days ago. 

In my 2012 "Looking Ahead" post I said in the coming year I wanted to:

• consistently work toward my goals, even if that means allowing the iron to get red-hot in the fire.  The difficulty with this will be knowing what pieces to work (goals to work toward) and which ones to stick back into the fire.  (See my last post if this doesn't make sense.)
• add P90X to my training plan for strength workouts.  I wanted to do this last year and tried for a while, but it became too hard to manage.  The difficulties with this will be scheduling (there are only so many hours in a day), and making sure I get enough (quality) calories to support all the work.
• follow the training plan I have outlined from now til my first half iron race (April 22), maintain my fitness level (coast) until after my daughter graduates from high school in May and THEN make decisions about the rest of the year/what comes next.
• come up with a nutrition plan so I don't end up drinking a venti soy latte for breakfast and eating potato chips for lunch (as I have done today).

Let's see...I changed my mind about P90X after just a few days and I scrapped my own training plan and started getting coached by Eric (best decision!!).  But, I did somewhat come up with a nutrition plan (for the most part) and I did consistently work toward my goals.

Here were the races I planned:

• McKay Hollow Madness -- March 24th.  With that in mind, I hope to run most of my longer runs on trails. ((I wasn't as prepared for this race as I would have liked because my bigger focus was on IM70.3, but I did complete this race and felt GREAT ...I just realized I didn't even finish writing my race recap!!))
• IM70.3 NOLA -- April 22nd.  With that in mind, I have a detailed training plan on my Training Peaks calendar that starts Sunday (January 8th) and runs through race day.  ((I traded in my plan for Eric's and that was the best thing that could have possibly happened...although this race turned into a 67.1 duathlon, I felt very prepared and had a great day out there.))
• Frank Maples -- ??.  I'm not sure when this one is, but I know I want to race it this year.  ((Ironically, this race was on the same weekend as NOLA.  Ironic because it was my very first ever tri, and just one year later I was about to complete a half iron!))
• Cotton Row -- May 28th.  Time goal: under an hour.  ((I learned a lot about "Managing Expectations" and didn't quite make my goal.))
• Wet Dog -- July 14th.  Time goal:  better than last year! :D  ((CHECK!!!  I had a pretty darn good race, although I'm certain I will do better in 2013.  I cut 10 minutes off my 2011 time!!))
• Hood to Coast -- August 25th.  Time goal:  every leg with an average pace under 9:30.  ((I did this event, had an unbelievable experience but I didn't keep every leg under 9:30, but that's a whole other story...  Our team ended up placing so we got an automatic entry into next year's race so I'll have another chance!))
• Frantic Frog -- September 8th.  Time goal:  better than last year.  ((I ended up not being able to do this race either...I was in Providence, Rhode Island getting my USAT Level One Coaching Certificate!!!))
• MAYBE Beach to Battleship -- October 20th.  I'm going to wait to pull the trigger on this until after IM NOLA.  ((I did the smart thing and decided to wait on doing a full until I had some more time on my legs and in my lungs...so glad I decided to wait!!))
• Turkey Chase -- November 22.  I'm a streaker on this one (I've done it every year it's existed) so this one will certainly be on the list.  Time goal:  Sub 23:30 and beat my husband who has said he will run it this year!! :D  ((Another race I didn't get to do...we didn't travel to see my husband's family this year...I'm super sad about missing this race.))

Some other things that happened this year that I didn't even consider a year ago...I became a life guard as well as a preschool swim instructor!!!  I also became a certified TRX Group Suspension Trainer.  Two things I did expect-finishing my Personal Trainer Certification (that was one of the hardest tests I've ever taken!) and earned my Spinning cert from Mad Dogg.  I think the biggest thing that happened to me this year (on a personal level) is becoming a USAT Level One Coach.  I was able to run a triathlon training group at the YMCA and now coach eight athletes! 

I seriously hardly recognize my life.

Thanks for stopping in, come again soon for the year in pictures and to find out my plans for the coming year!! :D

A (Long) Look Back

December 31st of last year I outlined my fitness goals for 2011:

I plan to complete my first sprint and Olympic distance triathlons as well as my first duathlon, marathon and ultra.  As far as time goals go, I want to break 25 in a 5K by June, break 60 in a 10K, and 2:15 in a Half (maybe in New Orleans??).  I don't have a time goal for the tri's, the duathlon, McKay, the marathon or the 50K.  I'm planning on making P90X a staple of my fitness routine, up my running mileage, and bike and swim at least two to three times a week.

While I didn't achieve all of these goals exactly as I planned (no duathlon, no ultra, I didn't break 25 in a 5K by June, I didn't break 60 in a stand alone 10K, and I didn't make P90X a staple of my fitness routine)...I did achieve much more this year than I ever would have believed possible.

I have already given a lot of thought to my hopes, no, my GOALS for 2012 and have a training plan outlined through April (when I'll complete my first Half IronMan!!).  However, before I lay those out for the world to see, I want to take a look back at 2011.

Not the discipline I used to give myself!

The friend who I borrowed a bike from told me she would want it back in the spring.  I decided it was better for me to train on the bike I would be racing on, so in January I bought a road bike!!  I rode that new bike farther than I had ever ridden a bike in my life...TWELVE AND A HALF MILES!!  If you take out the long stop during mile 3 (the group I was ridding with had to show IDs in order to enter a military base), my average speed was about 14 miles per hour.  I had a couple of moments when I got up to 19 or 20, but only because I was going down hill!  I also swam farther than I had ever swam before --all of about 500 yards (and had a TERRIBLE time keeping count!!).  I wrote about being over-trained under-rested, undisciplined, and about how completely stoked I was about starting tri training.

Notice the shirt...

I ran the Mardi Gras Half in February.  As if that weren't memorable enough, I also joined a Hood to Coast relay team, the Dixie Daredevils!  Our fearless captain and I went to see the movie premier in January...one thing led to another and the next thing I know I'm hitting up all my friends (and friends of friends) to get a team together!  We set out to raise $15,000 for American Cancer Society by August in order to guarantee our spot.  (Skipping ahead--YES we did it!!)

March was supposed to be a banner month.  I had been seriously looking forward to my longest run ever...15 miles...the McKay Hollow Madness 25K.  I had been training and mentally psyching myself up to become a Billy Goat and embody last year's winner David O'Keefe...all for naught because, sadly, the race was cancelled due to terrible thunderstorms.  Determined to "earn my shirt" I went out the following Monday and ran the course by myself.  I had a fantastic time.  It actually worked out well because I was able to stop several times and take pictures (something I would have NEVER done in the middle of a race).  Other than the sound of streams flowing everywhere (thanks to all the rain), and the squirrels playing, it was completely quite out there.  Truly my favorite solo run ever.  (Check out the post to see some of the pictures I took that day!)  I will certainly go ahead and sign up for this race again this year--CAN NOT WAIT!

Coaching was a big part of my spring.  I was one of the coaches for both the NOBO (5K) and Next Steps (10K) training programs through Fleet Feet.  I've said it before...and will say it again...I LOVE coaching.  The thing I like most about the training programs is that you aren't just signing up to have running buddies.  You are actually receiving coaching/training/instruction.  I didn't realize how important it is to have someone to help you learn how to run efficiently and properly.  Most people, like me, think you can just go out and run.  The truth is, you can.  However, if you want to run well...if you want to run faster...if you want to run farther...if you want to keep running injury free for a long time...you should learn how to do it correctly.

My goofy pre-tri pose (I lost arm/shoulder muscle when I stopped swimming!)

April marked my debut into the world of triathlon with a 3rd place age group trophy at Frank Maples.  I'm pretty sure this race will be the only reverse tri I'll ever do.  I did not like swimming last, (although it was nice to be completely dry on the bike).  I will certainly do this race again...and "should" be able to knock a good bit off last year's time (although I can't seem to find my overall time anywhere--my watch only got my run and bike time).  Looking at the mistakes I listed on my race recap...it seems as though I got a decent handle on most of them by the end of the year.  ((This is one reason I love to write this end-of-the-year recap...so I can "clearly" see how much I've grown.))

May was a banner month.  I swam without shorts. I completed the Iron Girl (sprint tri), and was beat by a girl with a broken foot.  I set a new 10K PR at Cotton Row and then paced in the Cotton Row 5K with my NOBO group.  I have to say, it's funny because by that point in time I had run 13.1 straight with no breaks, and 15 miles (with picture breaks), and had completed a longish sprint tri but I felt totally bad to the bone running 10K and 5K races back to back (maybe 10 miles total with the warm up)...even though I missed my goal of running a sub-60 minute 10K by 40 seconds (gun time, 24 seconds actual).  Next year I WILL certainly PR again.  I also started Tri201, which I will forever see as a turning point in my training. 

In June, I started looking for my Pain Garden and found myself completing MUCH tougher workouts than I had ever done in my life (complete with SWEAT).  I became a "real" trail runner (everyone says you have to take a fall as initiation into the club, and well, I just didn't want to be left out!).  I also quickly found out there's no part of pain that should be called a "garden"!  Remember how I told you in January I biked a whopping 12.5 miles??  In June I upped my game quite a bit and in one brick workout I rode 40 quality miles and followed that up with 2 miles fast-for-me (at the time) running!  I took to calling myself a triathlete.

My 27:37 PR in the July 4th Firecracker 5K showed me the value of multi-sport training.  Mid month I completed my third sprint tri-the Wet Dog and once again learned some valuable lessons I believe I'll carry forward into this next season.  The coolest thing, by FAR, that happened in July was the Long Course Training Camp.  If I start talking about just how much I learned that weekend I don't know if I'll be able to stop.  It wasn't that I learned so much about the sport...it was what I learned about myself.  Eric told me I could do it, and that I would leave with more confidence than I could imagine and he was so RIGHT.  This camp is also where I met Doug--one of the most positive, encouraging people I know!

Rocket Man

With August came the culmination of my summer's tri training group with Rocket Man.  I am quite bummed I won't be able to do this race in 2012 (I'll be at Hood to Coast).  It was a fantastic race even though I wasn't just completely THRILLED with my performance (mainly with the run).  I also started the marathon training group through Fleet Feet.  The big non-sports thing that happened in this month...my baby started her senior year in high school.  (Hard to believe this time next year she will be done with her first semester in college!!)

Frantic Frog

I took golf lessons a long time ago; the pro told me it's always important to end on a good stroke...Frantic Frog was me ending tri season in September on a good race!  I finished this race 9/23 in my age group, and was (still am) thrilled with this result! I believe I'll do better next year, but this was pretty darn good in my book!!  I can't forget...I turned 42 in this month as well.  I don't feel 42....

Start of MS 15K

In October I set a new PR at the Monte Sano 15k ((well...it was my first race of that distance, so it was an automatic PR, but still, it wasn't too bad all thing considered).  I also saw a new number on my running log for a single long run (16 miles).

In November, I not only ran Cecil Ashburn, I also tried to RACE the Huntsville Half Marathon, and ran a sub 25 5K while I was Chasing the Turkey.  I say I tried to race the Half, because although I set a new Half PR (1:56:30, an 8:54 pace), I (once again) learned some valuable lessons about racing that distance.  I'm not disappointed with my performance...I mean I cut over 20 minutes off my previous PR...but I'll certainly be glad to have another go at this race next year!  I was THRILLED to meet the goal I set last year to run a sub-25 5K, and can't wait to see what I can accomplish chasing after that dang turkey in 2012 (my husband says he is going to run it as well...I'll have some real incentive to race all out, even with no chance of beating him if we are together at the final stretch).

Chip time 4:23:44

I'm now almost 3 weeks post marathon...but it seriously feels like it was MONTHS ago.  I ran 4 miles today which has been my longest distance since the race.  I haven't been sore or even really tired...I've just been lazy.  Knowing I'm about to jump into HEAVY training next month, I've allowed myself to have some complete down time.  It's been weird because in the past this much time "off" would mean an end to my workouts.  But working out is no longer just something I do...it's part of who I am.  I am an athlete.  I'm not in the front of the pack, but I'm gaining on it little by little.

Next year is bringing with it a lot of very exciting things.  Although I can't wait to tell you all about them...this post is WAY long enough!!  If you're still reading...THANK YOU for holding my hand on this (long) walk down memory lane.  Come again soon for the look ahead!  In the mean time--HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
:D

Memory Lane

It's that time of year when we all (most of us anyway) look back on the past year....and then ahead to the fresh new one about to start.

I can hardly believe this year is almost over....and am even more shocked with all I've accomplished.  Although I didn't check off the main running goal I had set for myself this time last year (running Rocket City)....I'm very pleased with where I'm at.  I'm going to take a little stroll down the 2010 Memory Lane...

January-notice the pond is iced over!

I started out January 11th...It was TWELVE degrees outside!  I walked 30 minutes...wearing SEVERAL layers of clothes, including my giant down winter coat!!  By the end of the month, I was hooked.  I was walking to warm up, then running/walking in various intervals (running  up to about a minute), then walking to cool down.  My longest distance was 2.39 miles (which took me 32:41 to complete).  Quote of the month:  "The goal is to get to where I can run comfortably for that middle 10 minutes."  ((Running comfortably for ten minutes isn't even a good warm up anymore!!))

This is when the goofy pre-race pose started!

In February, I signed up for (and ran) my very first (real) race-the Wounded Warrior.  It was supposed to be a 5K, but thanks to weather it was shortened to a basically a 3K.  I achieved all my goals in the race-1) not be last, 2) run the whole time, and 3) pass someone!!  When I run out on that course now I think about that morning (more often than not).  That girl didn't have any idea she could run!!  Notice the cotton long sleeve shirt.  I had one like 3 layers under that, too!!  Plus I was wearing running tights under my pants!  I was in complete awe of all the "real" runners out there that day.  I can't wait to do this race again!

My calves had started bothering me early on.  I wish I had known then what I know now--it was a matter of strength.  If I had worked on over all strength, particularly the fronts of my lower legs, AND if I had RICEd, and rolled, I don't think I would have had the injury that was coming on.  Quote of the month:  Train by my instruments.  (I need to keep that one in mind!)

By March (with an ever painful left calf) I was running 5/1 intervals and had gotten up to FOUR MILES (average pace of 12:26).  I had started a training group with Fleet Feet to train for Cotton Row where I met Speedy...someone who would come to be one of my best friends!!  Who knew that she and I would be coaching the group just a year later??!!  I don't have any pictures from March because it was pretty much "just" training the whole time.  Quote of the month would be a tie between "Keep running and stick with the plan" and "Cross train!"

That contraption on my hip is a heart rate monitor I had to wear for 21 days...

A lot of good things happened in April.  I ran my first "real" 5K (Cookie Dash in 33:19), I won a six month membership to Riveria Fitness and started strength training, I ran hills (and on the trails) for the first time, I went to the doctor (and started PT) because of the pain in my left calf, and I called myself a "real runner"!!  Quote of the month:  "When I get in better running shape, I can certainly see myself trail running." 

I had to take my own pre-race photo since I was all alone that morning!

May...Even though my left calf had been hurting since the beginning, May is the "injury" month in my mind.  The pain had ramped up to the point I was limping a good bit of the time.  I simply couldn't take it any longer and scheduled an MRI just before Cotton Row (my goal race at the time).  Because I go to church with my doctor I found out the results (periostitis) before race day...although I didn't let that stop me from rimping (run/limping) through the 10K (at a horrible time of 1:17:36).  May was a painful month.  Because I had been so stubborn in the previous months I had a TERRIBLE 10K experience ...but I did finish what I had started and found out I'm not as wimpy as I think I am (but don't tell my husband!)  I also ran an 8K that month...and pretty much met my goals for that race (see the goals above for Wounded Warrior).  My time wasn't great (58:27), but I was proud that, other than just a little 10 second break, I ran the whole time (even through pain).  Quote of the month:  "I overlooked the pain I was in."  (Not a smart thing...but -hopefully- lesson learned.)

June was tough.  I couldn't run, and didn't know what the 5-6 weeks off would do to me.  But...I discovered Newtons and spin class, and I embraced a whole new way of eating thanks to the diagnosis of multiple food allergies.  This month was a turning point for me.  Instead of the time off causing me to lose steam, it actually helped me more than I could have imagined at the time.  My husband tells me now that he fully expected me to quit.  It would have been understandable because of all I had been through and given my MO.  Needless to say, I didn't give up.  No pictures, but the quote of the month will only be truly funny when you read my race schedule for the year... "...even though I'd really love to get a bike and train for a tri...I think it's a bit too much right now."

I saved this BIG guy on a run--he was easily 4-5 inches long!

Ah July, month of independence.  When I think back over the year, July is when I would say I really started running.  Having healed from the injury, and having given up all the foods that were wreaking havoc on my immune system, I felt like I had emerged from a cocoon!!  I started running with Turtle, swimming with Flipper, and even went on a trail run with friends.  I discovered not only yoga...but also my GLUTES!!  I remember feeling incredibly nervous, not sure what would happen.  Quote:  "Next year, I'm going to do the HiWAAY Sprint Tri--run 3 miles, bike 6, then swim 400 meters. Heck, maybe by then I'll do the Olympic distance Rocketman Tri (1.5-km swim / 40-km bike / 10-k run).....or maybe I won't do that!!"  (You can see where this is going, right??)

August ...I started coaching NOBO and running with Daisy.  I have to be careful here because if I start talking about Daisy I'll start gushing like a school girl.  Suffice it to say, I love her.  (Not in a freaky way...don't go there.)  I ran the Running of the Bulls 5K (and set a new 5K PR of 32:44) and was just so disappointed in my performance I wanted to cry.  I didn't stop to think about where I'd been...just where I was on that particular morning.  If I could go back to that day, I'd just have to slap myself and remind myself of something I had said just days earlier:  "I'm just so darn shocked with how well I've been doing."  One race shouldn't make or break me....ever.

Can you tell I've lost weight??

In September, I didn't tell anyone but I made the difficult decision not to run Rocket City.  Several factors impacted the decision not the least of which was my resolve not to train myself into injury again.  I took the pressure off and relaxed.   I had several good (dare I say GREAT) runs with Daisy and a completely amazing first Half Marathon (I can say that now that the sting of the loss from that day has cooled).  My time wasn't fantastic (by my standard), but was a VERY respectable 2:38:59.  (Certainly something to beat!)  I noticed a marked improvement on my pace...which lead to the quote of the month: "THAT is the power of speed work....and hills for that matter.  When it was over, I was glad I had done it....but it still didn't feel good."

Ah-ctober.  I started doing P90X, and riding a real road bike (borrowed from MV8r).  Most notable happening of the month:  I WON FIRST PLACE IN MY AGE DIVISION IN MY FIRST EVER TRAIL RACE.  Now, I won't belabor the fact that most of the serious runners were competing in the longer race being held at the same time, that's beside the point!!  (I came in 6th place out of 25 women!!)  Knowing I really didn't run my very best race that day (for a long list of excuses I won't trouble you with) is surprisingly still very encouraging to me.  I think that little Alabama shaped medal helped me BEGIN to think I really can run well.  It got me to thinking about what it means to do my "best" and if there would ever be a "good enough".  The answer is this month's quote:  "No, "my best" is not "good enough"....and that's exactly why I'm afraid I won't do good enough, because even my best doesn't cut it."  Interestingly enough, I was very upset with myself when I wrote that post.  I thought it was wrong to think I wouldn't reach a point where "my best" was "good enough"...but now I think the truth is that there's "always" going to be room for improvement.  So "my best" really will continue to change.  Reaching for a result that is just beyond what might be "my best" right now in this moment is NOT a bad thing.  It doesn't make me a bad person, or any less content with what I have right now....it just means I recognize that I can get better.  That is a very humbling thought.

Before I put on my tiara....

Although I ran FOUR races in November, it will forever be the "Chasing the Turkey" month for me.  Neither the Huntsville Half, the Krispy Kreme Challenge, nor the Jingle Bell Run were "my" races.  I paced in both of them.  The Turkey Chase was going to be "MY" race....but it turned out to live completely up to it's name.  I chased the turkey alright....you'll have to read the blog post for the full story.  (((I'll change the picture once I have the photos in my computer.)))  I think this month's quote is what helped December be as good as it has been.... "...the truth is as long as I'm not trying my hardest, I'm failing before I even start."

From Jingle Bell 5K (notice how warm it was that day by my outfit!)

December has been my best running month yet.  I can NOT get over how much I've improved in one short month.  I set a new 5K PR in the Rudolph Run (28:45) to prove it!  I don't know if it has been a physical improvement as much as it has been a mental one.  I don't even feel like the same person.  The exciting thing is I believe I'll continue to see exponential improvement.  I don't have a quote for the month yet...I still have one more post to write before the year is over.

Thanks for taking this stroll down memory lane with me.  It's been a great year!!  Come back tomorrow to read about my goals for 2011.

:D