End It On This

[No Doubt]

I have to agree with Joff that 2012 has been a long year. For how much time it took to pass, I feel I should have accomplished more of my 2012 resolutions. Let's access:

1. Cut KC's student loans by half.

Check, check. Actually, A BIG CHECK. You don't even want to know how big of check this is.
(Let's just hope one day it yields even bigger checks in our favor.)

We made double payments, applied gift money, etc, etc...but what a relief to have this number widdled down to something not necessarily manageable, but more manageable than before. I don't anticipate to keep up with this effort now that we are in a house. But at least our monthly payment on the loans is no longer the same amount as our mortgage payment. That makes a difference!

2. Keep a cleaner apartment and in general take better care of my material things.

I failed so miserably at this. It's disgusting. Literally. Our apartment/now house is disgusting.

I don't even know if I made it a month. And sadly, I think I actually digressed in this area. To the point, where two weeks ago, KC's dad recommended we start a "chore chart". [Shaking head.] I'm pathetic.

You wouldn't ever guess I am a messy person, huh? Well, you guessed wrong. I am horribly messy. [I am good at deep cleaning, but surface...image cleaning...horrible. Just horrible.]

3. Spend smarter. Look for the best deals, don't get caught up in impulsive buys, upcycle rather than buy new, and find alternatives to products that can be replaced by reusable rather than disposable.

Um. Nope. Didn't do this one. I am a smart spender naturally...so it's not like this was very needed. I mean look at #1. We obviously accomplished that by spending smarter in other realms. And I found...I just can't keep up with the work to spend even smarter. But, I'll keep working on it. However, I wouldn't say this is a failure. It was just incomplete. Does that even make any sense?

4. Complete my first sprint triathlon.

Haha...

I took 2nd place in my first sprint triathlon AFTER having already completed my first OLYMPIC distance triathlon this year.

Bragmuch. I know. But I feel that it is deserved bragging rights. I put a lot of work to get those rights. Okay? Hate me. I don't care.

I didn't expect to like triathlons as much as I did. This was a challenge I am so glad I took. My athletic life has transformed so much this year by taking on biking and swimming.


It improved my running -- I beat out my 1 mile, 5k, 10k, and half marathon PRs by leaps and bounds.

It transformed by body -- I lost 17 pounds, 2 pant sizes, and just got "tighter". This new body has made reaching my goals lighter. Literally. Did you know every pound of weight makes you 2 seconds slower per mile. That's 34 seconds faster per mile.

It made me dream more -- I am now working towards qualifying for Boston and a podium placement at Spudman. Both big dreams with no deadline on myself. But, I dream of getting there one day. Even if it's 20-30 years down the road.

It grew my passion for exercise -- I am now pursuing an exercise science degree at the University of Utah and hope to be a certified personal trainer in 2013. I would love to coach runners and triathletes one day.

I made more friends -- as I became a part of the triathlon community I found that they are extremely kind and generous people. I got the chance to volunteer at a race and experience time and time again friends giving back to the world of sports. I joined the Triology group and made friends with people engrossed in their athletic passions who helped me along the road and led an example of working towards a better you. I've really enjoyed that part of this sport.

5. Journal/Blog more

Over the past few months my drive to blog has decreased. But as a whole, 2012, was a success. I blogged more than I have in a given year. And this may end up being one of the more rewarding resolutions.

So, there were ups and downs. Successes and failures. But coming out of this year, I think I am a better me. I am a happier me. That's for sure. I think that's the point here.

What did 2012 make of you?

Under Pressure

[Queen]

I got up this morning, still ill, but with the intention of squeezing out that final 3.46 mile run.

After falling asleep on the couch while watching Selena, I did eventually get to the gym...around noon.

I ran it slowly. But, I did it.

And I've paid for it the remainder of the day. [Cough, Cough]

But, I did it.

750 miles in 2012.

That is actually less than I did in 2011. But this time, I cut out 2/3rds of my runs for swimming and biking. So it was a much harder feat to accomplish this goal. I knew going into it, that it would be difficult. I feel good finishing it out. Even if it was 750 no more, no less. 

Purchased my watch in April. Was injured in Nov/Dec.

I am missing 3 runs, that I didn't get on my watch.

I think, however, looking back the biggest accomplishment was that I kept my IT band in check. I am still rolling my leg out before (and after) each of my runs. It's made a world of difference.

Now onto January (and a new goal)...the month I dread the gym more than any other month. Ugh, New Year's resolutioners. Taking my equipment. Curse you.

PS - I looked up the mileage equivalent of 102,150m. I swam 63.4731 miles. I like counting in meters. Sounds more impressive.

One Day More

[Les Miserables Soundtrack]

haven't done a list in a while. Lists are fun. I like lists.

My Top 12 of 2012

(Not in any particular order)

12. Les Miserables

(I know it's cutting it close...but it deserves a spot here)

11. Learning to Swim (and then starting "Swim Club")

10. Spending Quality Time with Javier (my bike)

9. New Albums from my favorite Artists/Groups

8. Getting an Oggy

7. Purchasing a Home

6. Placing 2nd at I Can Tri (Sprint Triathlon)

5. Finishing Spudman (Olympic Triathlon)

4. Visiting friends in Michigan

3. The Best Trip to NYC with the Best Girls

2. Having all my siblings back together

1. Meeting Ricky Martin

Great. Year.

2012.

Was.

Promise

[Simple Plan]

12-12-12

That's sad to think it's the last time I'll see the day, month, and year as all the same number...well, EVER. Unless some miracle drug comes out and I live to 2101. I highly doubt that will happen in my lifetime though. Still, I am a fan of living forever...sounds fun...

Just wanted to take a moment to celebrate and mourn that, what would you call it? ...Event?

On another note. In my head, I am running two marathons next year. Possibly three.

My "A" race is the planned May marathon; the Vermont Marathon with my buddy, Nate. However, though we haven't actually discussed this, I have a gut feeling from some recent news that we won't be running that race as we've planned. (Nate, I am still in if you are. However, if you have to postpone...I get that, too. Guess, we need to skype.). Still, I we started training for said race the Monday after Thanksgiving, per our training calendar. [Not to brag, but it wasn't a change for me. In fact, I SHOULD be doing less per those plans. ]

My "B" race is in June; the Utah Valley Marathon. This is if said May race is forgone for a future undetermined date to run a marathon with Nate because of unsaid circumstances. I started training for this marathon on Monday. This "race" isn't anything special. Except that it is going to my first marathon in many to come [I assume] in my qwest for Boston qualifying. I am sure I'll have more to say on this as time progresses. But, I'll say this now: Yes, I have always said I wouldn't try to qualify for Boston because I knew I couldn't get there. But, yes, I've changed my mind. I am capable of this. I know this now. [Why do I always say never?]

My "C" race is in April. This is my fall back. If come March, the "A" race is no longer planned and my pace isn't down to Boston qualifying standards, I've decided I'll still use the training I've invested to run a marathon. Just I'll run it earlier than planned so that I can get onto training for my summer Triathlons.

This isn't how I anticipated this post going, but I guess it's on my mind and still fitting for the real subject at hand:

750

I am a numbers person. Which works for and against me. Numbers, like the one above hold me accountable. It's rather silly. But they sometimes can do more motivation for me than any single person. It an internal need to fulfill that.

This particular number, 750 is the mileage goal I pledged to the Gomer Nation upon the 2012 new year. There isn't any reward but satisfying that number, really.

Reminder, it's 12-12-12.

My thoughts exactly...

"Crap!"

I'm not giving up though. I estimated that's just under 3.5 miles a day. I can do this.  Especially with my marathon training in full effect. [I don't run every day, but with a small increase* I think I can still get there.]

So, are you still thinking about your 2012 resolutions? Or am I just a nut job? Wait...yes. Yes, I am.

*FYI, for fellow runners I am keeping this under 10% a week. Let's not get stupid here.

Moved by 2011

Warning: This is a recap of my year and goals. I killed it this year, so bragging will ensue. But this is for my records, so I am going to pat myself on the back :)

At the beginning of 2011 I decided to ring in the new year with a word to encompass my goals for the year, rather than a specific resolution. I picked 'move', hence the header across the top of my blog this year.

Definitions of "move":

move (mv)v. moved, mov·ing, moves
1. To change in position from one point to another.
2. To progress in sequence; go forward.
3. To follow a specified course.
4. To progress toward a particular state or condition..
5. To go from one residence or location to another; relocate.
6. To start off.
7. To change posture or position; stir.
8. Games To change the position of a piece in a board game.
9. To be put in motion or to turn according to a prescribed motion.
10. To exhibit great activity or energy.
11. To initiate an action; act..
12. To stir the emotions: words that have the power to move.

I was hoping that this word would move me to move my body more (enough to run my first marathon!). Move my husband and I out of Massachusetts and into a new state or back home. Move me forward in my hobbies and talents. And who know how else this word might  mean to me over the course of 2011.

I really liked having a word to focus on this year. I feel that I achieved more of my goals that centered around moving.

I did end up running and completing my first marathon.

I also ended up running more than I ever have in a year span. In addition to the marathon, I ran 5 other races:

Olesak Half-Marathon (April)

Deseret News Marathon (July)

Midnight 5k (August)
Dirty Dash 10k (September)
Halloween Half-Marathon (October)

Thanksgiving 5k (November)

With training and all, I ended up running nearly 800 miles and 165 hours (That's almost a 7 days of my year were spent COMPLETELY running!).  And to boot, these stats weren't counting the yoga, biking, weight lifting, Zumba, walking, etc. I definitely moved my body in 2011.

And with moving my body, I thought about trying to move my body faster and moving up in my personal rankings. I met my goal for the marathon time (under 5 hours) and I beat my half-marathon PR (went from 2:05 to 1:55...10 minutes is HUGE in the running world!)

KC and I did moved back home. I (and Terri, who deserves a huge THANK...again) drove our belongings across the country and literally moved over 2000 miles. Just thinking back to that exhausts me. But if you've never had the chance to do this, it reminds you how beautiful this country is.

This year, I moved job roles. The department I worked for was closed down and I was moved into another sector of the company. It was a great move. I now get off work on time, don't work holidays or weekends, and it reduced my stress. I also moved back into the office. I definitely miss working from home, but the move allowed me to become more social again and get out of a 600 sq. foot world.

As for hobbies, I had set out to move forward in developing my current hobbies. I feel that this is one area where I set out for a specific goal and I ended up somewhere totally different. At the beginning of this year, I had a craft blog, participated in design teams, and I was hoping to get more involved in the scrapbooking industry. Over the year, I slowly moved away from this. I decided to close my craft blog and not re-apply for the design teams I was on.

I am not sure if that means this is the end of my scrapbooking phase of life. It may be just taking a break. But with moving back, I've had less time to spend on this and have found that the creative energy is being more fulfilled by other hobbies, such as running (believe it or not, this does tap into your right brain). But I also have started to get move involved in sewing, which has been a refreshing and fun move.

I have to say this was one of my favorite years of my life. Between spending a couple days with Krick and Randy in NYC, then going back to the city with Becky, seeing 5 broadway shows, having KC's parents and Patrick visit, KC graduating from Law School, moving home and seeing the country, running and finishing a marathon, beating my half-PR, KC passing the bar and MPRE, spending a ton of time with family, going to Vegas with Hilary and Derek, working fewer hours, and just having the best husband, family, and friends....I definitely feel happiness as we conclude this year. And as corny as it sounds, that could be the best move that was made. 

Becky visited and we went to NYC, Boston, and Rhode Island.

KC graduated from Law School.

Krick and I finished the Deseret News Marathon.

KC, Derek, Hilz, and I went to Vegas.

Happy New Year!