2011 accomplishments

733 miles ran.

Short of my goal of 1,000, but I would've totally hit that number had I not had the INJURY. I only ran 12 miles in March, none in April, and 28 in May - a little ironic since I was supposed to BEGIN May with 26.2. Between the time off, the slow comeback, and the numerous smaller injuries (no caps needed), I'm proud of 733.

16 races.

New PR's for every distance.

A sub-30 5k.

A sub-60 10k.

Took close to 20 minutes off my 13.1 time.

RAN an entire 13.1.

That one seemed impossible a year ago, but I ran two half marathons with no walking. Not only that, I actually RAN the first 21 miles of the 26.2.

First venture into triathlons - which, btw, I've thought about doing since 2009 but got too wrapped up in running to bother cross-training much. Doing tris was NOT a goal for the year - which is why I'm actually thankful for the injury. Without it, a tri would still probably be on my bucket list.

First sprint AND Oly distance tri. And now I'm signed up for an ironman, which was not in my wildest dreams a year ago.

Went from a typical "10 and change" pace to doing long runs under 10.

Became a stronger, smarter, more confident, more consistent runner. (And ATHLETE, come to think of it, though I've got a ways to go in the pool.)

Swam a mile (and then some) for the first time ever.

Biked a metric century (63 miles).

Overcame (sorta) my fear of open water.

I can run on hills without dying. I avoided them like the PLAGUE until this past January.

Oh, umm, don't forget I RAN A MARATHON YA'LL!!!

...and I did it at a faster pace than I'd done my first 13.1 a year beforehand.

And I did it all despite injuries. I'm thrilled with my 2011. 2012 will be even more kickass.

(2012 goals/plan to come....)

59:50

I got my vindication. And my new 10k PR. And my sub-60. And an age group win.

BOOYAH!

Recap to come.

That adorable medal is a WINNER'S medal, not a finisher's medal, ya'll!

PS - Baby, it's effing cold outside!!

The marathon tattoo

...because I can't think of an occasion (besides maybe the birth of my future children) more worth celebrating with a tattoo. Here's the new addition to my right calf.

Artist: Mike at Designs by Dana, Cincinnati

Finisher Video

Disclaimer: obviously this is not *my* pics page for the marathon. My page actually features the *next* 30 second video clip, so it starts after I've crossed the finish line and all you get is my head at the bottom of the screen for one second. This is the guy who finished about 10 seconds before I did. His name is Greg. Enjoy his pics, too, if you'd like.

I will get around to posting some of my pics here with some witty commentary, plus other pics I have; just haven't gotten there yet. If you want to see them NOW (and aren't my facebook friend), check out bib #979 on the photo page. I'm pleasantly surprised that a few of them turned out really good. The ones that didn't were taken somewhere around mile 23 if memory serves me correctly...and who looks good at mile 23 of a marathon??

Anyway, the video - that's me appearing under the F in FINISH, just to the right of the half marathon time clock (half finishers on the left, full on the right), about 13 seconds in. Right after that, he announces my name.

Also noteworthy: the poor guy limping at the beginning (but he still beat me!) I hope he wasn't like that long. Then, after I cross the finish line, check out the two half finishers who run for a total of 3 seconds. They're hilarious.

clicky here for video!!

The stats

Distance	MAR
Clock Time	4:56:40
Chip Time	4:53:18
Overall Place	1582 / 2513
Gender Place	384 / 744
Division Place	68 / 120
Age Grade	46.2%
10K	1:05:37
13 1	2:17:27
35K	3:56:46
Pace	11:12