2012 Review

I have been thinking about the past year that last couple of days. 2012 brought new memories, new firsts and   an injury.

Here is the list of my races-

Big Game 10k - 2/5/2012 1:05:37
Jelly Bean 10k- 4/1/2012 57:48
Jelly bean 5k- 4/3/2012 27:42
Jim Klett Memorial 5k- 6/10/2012 28:58
Hall of Fame 5 miler 7/29/2012 49:40
Warrior Dash 8/25/2012 1:03:30
Erie Pa Presque Island Half Marathon 9/16/2012 2:0916
Kent State  Bowman Classic 5k 10/20/2012 26:37

I ran my first Half Marathon.

I PR'ed my 5k time. Kent State Bowman 5K- 26:37 I grew lightening legs.

My 2012 is a range of 673 - 700 miles. I estimate the top number because what I have recorded is the bottom number. I know there was runs I didn't log or track. 

I encountered my first running injury of a fractured ankle and 2 months off of running. I am grateful to be back to running before the end of the year.
I realize that had I not have been injured the my total mileage would have been much higher since I was running long runs consistently at that time.

I inspired and encouraged a few others to run this year or to start running. This warms my heart so much .
One is a friend who ran the Warrior Dash for her first race and is now hooked.

My family ( Mom and step-dad) saw me race for the first time. Meant the world to me that my family was there to see me race. My sister saw me race last fall. 

Terri has been there for me pretty much every race ( minus a few). She is my biggest cheerleader and encourager. I am lucky to have her . 

I ran my first anniversary race and placed first in my age group

My goals for 2013.....
I want to run 1-2 Half Marathons and would love to get a sub 2:00 Half.
I would love to get a group together to run the Tough Mudder.
I want to run more with others. I enjoyed running with the girls prior to my  half marathon and will make it an effort to run more with others this year.
More goals to come.

Happy New Year everyone.

Christmas Wrap up

I participated in Courtney's at Third Time's a Charm Runner-  Second annual Secret Santa Sock Swap. My secret Santa Sock Swapper was Ruby- A Runner's Mom. Check out the great things I got in my sock .

There is gum, Power Bar, GU gel, Clif bar, Green Tea, a Mug, Quaker Popped chips, Power Bar energy chews, soap, shower gel and few other things. Thank you Ruby I love it!


Christmas was busy and good. It was weird , almost didn't feel like Christmas, seemed to come and go quickly. We still have another holiday get together this Sat with my Dad and family. Hoping to relax this long weekend and maybe take some decorations down as well.

I participated in another Secret Santa with Fat Mum Slim. I received a wonderful gift from Lynda in Queensland Australia. I soo love the new scarf and soap.

Ankle Update...
I went to sports rehab on Wed 12/26 and my ankle is stable and he had me run 1 mile...It felt so good even though I felt out of breath and out of shape already. I am good to start running outside again, just no trails. I have to build up on miles slowly. Woot!! I am already looking at a 5k  on 2/2/2013...it would be no pressure as it is a prediction 5k. We will see.
Hoping to run after work today for 1-2 miles.

Terri made me a cool tie blanket for Christmas and started a Bib Race scrap book for me as well!

Will be a quiet New Year probably. My nephew is in from Florida. My brother mentioned a get together that night. Not sure what we will do, but I am grateful for 4 days off.

Here is a cute kitty picture after unwrapping gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Enjoy the time of family, friends and memories~

I love.....

I love Running.

Second best is dreaming about running, : ). It sure makes for a nice morning wake up to have dreamt about running.

Counting down the days.

Monday Mash up

- Terri and I took her grandson Jeff to the Rec center yesterday to shoot some hoops. It was great being more physical and had to remember not to run on my ankle or do more one on one with Jeff

- Mom's dog Maynard has cancer and it is not good. It is on his hind leg into his abdomen area. They have made the decision to put him down. He is suffering and the surgery would involve amputation and then they can't guarantee that they would get all the cancer. He is my buddy, Maynard G. Grebbs. He should have been named spitfire since he was a handful as a puppy.

-Christmas is 2 weeks away and trying not to stress about what all needs done. Shopping, baking, wrapping and planning.
It will all get done and be fine. Breathe..breathe


-Things I have learned with my ankle injury:
I love running. The time while not running and recovering has shown me that it is just not about exercise or the calories burned. There is joy there and peace. It is my meditation time.
I need to focus on other things as well. I started more into my art of Zentangle. I want to keep a balance of these.
My whining about not being able to run did not get too bad....right Terri? Hello, hello?
I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I have strength and internal will that can get me through a lot.

Ankle update and Picture purge

So this past week I was given the go ahead and walk as much and go to the gym, just no running for a month. First day at gym- walking, biking and weights!! It feels so good to be back in the swing of things.
This morning I went on a walk early morning before anyone else was up. I walked one of my short run routes and did 2.75 miles. It felt so right...the cold, the breathing, the quietness. My time to mediate . Soon I will be at it again with running.
I am going to sports rehab on my own hopefully this week to make sure I get back to running the best way .

Got some Christmas shopping done this weekend, a lot for a Single woman that Terri's work adopted to help . She is getting started on her own out of the shelter.
We did regular Christmas cards and mailed yesterday. I need to work on my Christmas exchange cards too and mail those.

This morning on my walk...Ignore my morning puffy face...Don't judge!

Great picture of Terri this weekend..She is such a great encouraging partner.

Star on our tree.

Here I am with Santa , I think age 6-7yr old.

Funny for the day

I would say this sums it up nicely.

I am wanting to do Cleveland Half Marathon in May and looking at Erie/Presque Isle Half again in July or Sept

I also want this hat....seriously. I asked my crafty coworker if she can make it
I want to run with it

Holidays

I am excited to be a part of several Holiday events with bloggers.

- Kim is hosting the Holiday Card Exchange 2012. Check it out over at Just trying is for little girls.
Go Team Vixen. This is my first time doing this and I am excited and nervous. I like getting to know others beyond the blogging world.

-I am also signed up to be part of the Second Annual Secret Santa Sock Swap. Check out Courtney's site at Third Time's a Charm Runner. Deadline is 12/8 for sign ups if you are still interested. I am looking forward to this as well.

-The last one is with Fat Mum Slim. Chantelle put together a Gift exchange Secret Santa with Instagram followers as well. I follow her with the FMS Photo a day postings. I was linked with Shelly in Texas and shipped out a gift already,. Waiting for mine to arrive from my Secret Santa. This was to use social media(FB, Twitter, Instagram and blogs) to get to know your Secret person and send them gifts they would enjoy. I loved this one. Shelly received her gift and loved it with pics posted already.

All this being said....I love gifting to others. Season of giving is what it is about for me.

Sunday stew

Well not really but it is a mish mash of thoughts and what has been going on.

- We are decorated for Christmas in the house and outside. We decided against icicle lights outside due to my ankle being broken and also just wanting something different. I will get a pic of outside tonight when lights are on. The cats have taken down the tree once so far. Good thing for fishing line to secure the tree to the wall.

- My coworker Kathy  turned 65 years old this past week and we did 65 bottles of beer on the wall. She loves beer. Let me just say my work rocks! We also did more than the 65 and Kathy loved it.

- Caught the cats sleeping today...go figure but he looked so peaceful.

-I officially get my ankle brace off this coming week, but the rebel I am I have been able to move around the house this weekend without it and doing well. Also doing some active and passive ROM with no issues.  I am ready to progress and get this thing moving.

- I am looking forward to our Christmas tree going up at work, We always adopt a family and I am excited to pick from the tree and shop for someone else less fortunate. Terri is also doing this at her work plus they are collecting monies to buys for the toy room at the Summit county childrens services. This is a room where foster parents/caregivers/guardians can go get toys free of charge for the children they care for. How cool is this!