This blog is mostly for the purpose of everything health/running related, but since I have yet to start my 2nd blog site, I thought I'd give a general end of last year/beginning of this year post here! Looking back at 2011, a lot of awesome things happened. I have spent too many years in the past feeling sorry for myself and for all that I didn't accomplish in the previous 364 days. On New Year's Eve, I thought a lot about the things that happened in 2011, and for once, it left me with a positive feeling.
- At this point, 99% of you are aware of the surgery and the 5k's I did last year. All of that was HUGE for me! I won't go into too much detail about it, since most of it has already been said. But it truly was the first time I can really say that I set my mind to something and gave it my all and was extremely happy with all of the results I got out of it. I followed my Dr's ordres to a T after the surgery - everything from the 2 weeks I had to sit on my ass and barely move at all, to the massaging of the scar tissue, to the sunblock anytime I went outside, to actually using my leg once it was time to do so! I honestly couldn't have asked for any better results than what I received out of that surgery. Dr. Silverstein was amazing, but I must say, that I did a pretty amazing job with it myself. And again, the 6 5k's and the Manchester Road Race.
- In July, I met the Goo Goo Dolls. This was also huge for me. If you know me, you know how much I love them and how much their music means to me. Winning the meet and greet was another example of making my dreams come alive. I put meeting them on my bucket list, as I sat on my ass recovering in January, and 6 months later, it actually happened!
- I turned 30! A lot of people freak out about getting a year older, especially when they hit a "big" number - 30, 40, etc. I knew when I did that first 5k in March, that when I turned 30 there were only bigger and better things to come for me. So far, I'd say my 30's have been pretty kick ass!
- I turned 30, Part 2 - My BFF Jamie came to surprise me! She and Rich had been planning the surprise for my birthday since (I think) January. Those two are two of my favorite people in the entire world. They are the people that I can go to about absolutely anything and everything. They understand all that I say and what I don't say. It's hard to have a best friend who you can text all the time, but never get to see. Jamie lives in NJ, and even though it's only about 3 hours away, we are lucky if we get to see each other once a year because of both of our schedules. To have the doorbell ring that day after coming home from work, and see her standing on the other side when I opened it... I can't even put that feeling into words :)
- I turned 30, Part 3! As the final gift of my "30 things for turning 30" basket that my sister put together for me, I got 2 tickets to see NKOTBSB! And not just any 2 tickets... FRONT ROW TICKETS!! I had wanted to see the New Kids for as long as I can remember. Whenever they toured in CT when I was little, I was away at camp, or we didn't have the money for the tickets. This was like a dream come true for me, 20 years later! It was another complete surprise for me, and for Siara as well, who went to the concert with me. For some reason, my sister didn't want to hear me scream for 2 1/2 hours :) The Backstreet Boys are one of Siara's all-time favs, so it was pretty effing awesome that the both of us got to see 2 of our favorite bands performing together at the same time.
- In August, Rich and I went to Myrtle Beach for 4 days. It was our 3rd year going there. His parents were going to be there for a BBQ festival (they live about 4 hours away from there) and Rich threw together an amazing last minute trip for us to get down to the beach! For 2 broke people, one of whom was unemployed at the time, this was huge for us! I think that because of that, as well as having complete mobility after the surgery/recovery, this was probably my favorite trip there so far. We had great weather the whole time, and some awesome drinks :) I will never hear "Sweet Caroline" ever again and not think of the last night we were there at the Red Parrot with the Voodoo Bucket & the dirty martinis!
- I got a new job! Technically I didn't start it until January, 2012, but I was hired on in December (with a huge thanks to Ismarie!). I was laid off in June from Iron Mountain, and it was a horrible struggle to try to find something new. I know I am fully capable of a job that a job that pays much more than this job does, but in this economy, I will take anything I can get! I have worked at some really shitty places in the past, but so far I must say that I truly enjoy going to work at TicketNetwork every day. The hours/days are tough, since it's opposite what Rich works, but as far as the atmosphere and the people there, I can't really complain at all.
I'm sure I could continue on with more awesome things that happened, but I think this will do for now :) I'm hoping I'm not forgetting anything major though! So, looking on to 2012....
Nearly everything you see and hear in the media in the weeks surrounding New Year's Day has to do with a resolution. The radio is talking about it. The posts on Facebook are talking about it. Your friends are talking about it! Everyone wants to know what it is that you're going to do different this year. For once, I'm not making any New Year's resolutions. I'm going to stick with the same thing that I did in 2011. It worked for me last year, and it's going to work for me this year too. Because I am determined, because I have motivation, and because I CAN!
In 2011 I made a conscious decision to stop making excuses and start making things happen. And thank God, for once it finally worked! And when it worked once, I wanted it to keep on working. I knew that I was capable of things that I had never before thought possible. I just had to put in the effort! My main goals for 2012 are for my running and for my finances. In addition to the numerous races that I want to do locally, I am also setting a huge goal at being able to afford a trip to Chicago and to run the marathon there in October. It will be a huge test for me both physically and financially - 2 things I have never really had a great grasp on through my entire life. In addition, I also want to try to eliminate as much debt as I possibly can. I want to owe less going into 2013 than I did going into 2012. I am not officially making any weight loss goals for 2012. In 2011, I made a significant change in my weight just by being more active and sticking to the running regimen. I believe that the same will happen in 2012; by continuing to be physically active and training for the marathon, I cannot imagine possibly weighing anymore at the end of the year than at the start of it. I am pretty excited to see what I look like a year from now though :)
As always, I welcome any of your comments. I also encourage you to feel free and comfortable to share any of your accomplishments from last year and goals for 2012!
"Ain't seen the best of me yet..." - Goo Goo Dolls
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