The Best (and worst!) of 2010

I think everyone has one of these lists. Even if you don’t put it in a blog, you’ve probably thought about it right? Categorizing your year and putting some events and discoveries in the “good” list while putting others in the “bad.” I think reflection is healthy and it certainly helps me determine what I want 2011 to look like.

So here are my lists. Some of them are running focused. Others are not. Either way, I think 2010 was a great year. And I know 2011 will be even better.

The Best of 2010:

1. I ran 7 races. I PR’d 4 of them.  (Drumstick Dash, Pleasant Run Run, Mini Marathon, Monumental Marathon.) Word.
2. I discovered two new running partners, Kelly & Martha. We challenge each other. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. We always tend to drop the F bomb much more frequently in those later miles. They’re brilliant.
3. One of my favorite laughable running moments this year was when I ran 7 miles in 98 degrees. Not a cloud in the sky. The sun was broiling my skin and I was overheating fast. Luckily enough, I passed the Eiteljorg Museum Fountain (yep, the one with the deer that earlier in the year I had tried to ride). In front of rush hour traffic, I dunked my head fully in. Relief.
4. Another “best” list worthy moment was crossing the finish line in San Fran. By far the hardest thing I had ever done and I was physically drained. I couldn’t control my emotions. I was happy and yet maybe sad. I took one step over the line and fell into a volunteer’s arms. He hugged me. He rubbed my back as I sobbed into his shoulder. He walked me through the finish area where my family and friends were waiting.
5. This list wouldn’t be complete without the people that have supported me during these races. So many people came out to cheer me on and some even flew to SF to be there with me (Nathan, Hunter, Matthew and Nicki!) Additional thanks go out to Jason, Britney, Natalie, Caleb, Kate, Blake, Jamie, Matt, Adam, Liz, Suzanne, Martha, Michael (who made a sign!), Jason and of course, JD. You are all the “best”!
6. Being a fan at Boston. What an experience - watching my husband finish the most elite marathon in the country. I stood at the finish line for hours hoping to catch a glimpse of him. I watched all the elite runners pass and told everyone around me to look for the guy in the green shirt with matching green shoes. When we spotted him, we screamed our faces off…even the 80+ year old woman next to me. Simply unforgettable. You can watch the winners and elite runners, and hear my crazy screams (both for Meb and JD) in the video montage I posted to YouTube: Boston Marathon montage.
7. ExactTarget. I know it’s not running specific. But man I love my job. This company is doing big things all the time. I work with some of my best friends. They are more like family. They have laughed with me (and at me). They have hugged me on my bad days. I am surrounded by smart, ambitious, kind, witty, funny, brilliant people every day. They make my Monday mornings something to look forward to.
8. This blog is a happy spot in 2010. After years of writing book reviews, I was convinced to get more personal and start a running blog. I am not sure why, but it seems to have a following. It’s an absolute blast to journal about my running, but truly, nothing makes me happier than hearing from people who are taking on new running heights because they were motivated by SMR. Those that have signed up for races or laced up their running shoes for the first time -you guys are the inspiration!
9. The Monumental Marathon. Doing 26.2 three weeks after another marathon. Getting my best time and going through it with Martha and my friend Annette. Not to mention my spouse ran a 2:57 marathon. Do the math. That’s a 6:50/mi pace maintained for 26.2 miles. And just in case you wondered, he’s been running for less time than I have. He’s just gifted.
10. I love Twitter. I loved it in 2009 and I will love it in 2011. But I am grateful for the relationships I have developed strictly from this social medium. Lots of them runners. It’s a place where we can congregate and chat and relate and complain and motivate. Twitter yo.
11. Because I hate things that are divisible by 5, there always has to be 11 on the list. (It’s part of my crazy.) London is #11. The race is in 2011 but the journey started this year. God I love that city. It feels like I am coming home.

Ok, we’ve gotten through the “bests,” what about the “worsts?” I am Susie Sunshine. I don’t like negativity and I don’t like to dwell about the bad stuff. But 2010 wasn’t all bubbles and rainbows. There were some rough moments.

Having to hobble through miles 15-19 during the Illinois Marathon due to knee and hip pain wasn’t a bright shiny moment. I felt like I was letting everyone down since I had to walk throughout a good portion of the race. But I made it…and you can watch my hobbly finish here. Another ”worst” list contender was running up the Mile 6 hill in San Francisco. It was hell, but not just because of it’s difficulty. It is also when I realized I wouldn’t hit my goal time and had to recalibrate my race plan. But these really aren’t that bad. Sure, they weren’t fun during the actual event, but the fact that I got through them makes them almost qualify for the “best” list. So that just leaves two non-running related times that stick out as being the worst. I know the dates by heart and just thinking of them reminds me of how awful they felt. Scary. Sad. Tragic. Emotional. But I am not going into details as to why…this is part of the beauty of a new year. You don’t have to relive. You can move on and hope for better times. And according to this list, I have a lot to be grateful for.

So goodbye 2010. I won’t forget you.

2011? Bring it.