Saying goodbye to 2011

When 2011 started, I set a couple of realistic goals for myself... I wanted to run a 5k, walk a half marathon, and lose another 50 pounds (at the time I had lost around 47).  I started training in early January, nothing hard core but enough to get me ready for a 5k.  I didn't do the couch to 5k program like so many others I know, I just got out there and ran until I couldn't anymore.

I did my first 5k in February and I haven't looked back since!  In 2011 I am proud to say that I not only accomplished all of my new years resolutions, I smashed them out of the park!

All in all I actually did 23 races in 2011, that included:
 - 5k: 13 (2 of these were virtual races) - and actually placed!
 - 10k: 2 (1 of these was a virtual race)
 - half marathons: 3 (ran most of these, and managed to smash my sub 2:00 goal with a time of 1:56:18.78)
 - misc: 5 (warrior dash, 5.3 mile trail, 4.5 mile, 4 mile, 10 mile)

Back in February, I ran my first 5k with a time of 30:06.  Since then I have worked really hard and been able to shave quite a bit off my time.  My PR came in September at the Defender Dash.... 23:43.7.  While I haven't been able to beat that time, I am consistently averaging between 24 and 25:00.

From January to June I tracked my running on the mobile fit program at the Y and while I can see the time I spent running I can't get miles, so I am going to try to estimate the best I can for my yearly miles.  I am going to assume that I ran on average 10 minute miles from January to June which is conservative.
 January to June 5 - 1,471 minutes = 147.1 miles
 June 6 - December 31 - miles = 463.6
Total = 610.7 miles

To put that in perspective.. my parents live 518 miles away... I could have run from here to Alabama!  Crazy!
And, my in-laws live 199 miles away, I could have run there and back and still had 200 miles to spare!

On the weight loss front, I had gotten down to a total of 125 pounds lost at the height of my training in September.  I maintained it for a while, but I sadly have gained some weight back the last month or two, but I am not giving up.  I am standing at about 110 pounds lost now, which makes for a total loss this year of 63 pounds if my math is correct! I would have love to be able to boast the 78 pounds lost, but I WILL get back there!

I am SO proud of everything that I have accomplished this year.  I have made some great friends through my running and blogging and I wouldn't have made it this far without them, so thank you... you guys know who you are.  The one thing I  have to remember is that I am better my weak days, I can be strong and continue to break barriers I never thought possible!

Here's to 2012, it will be a good year and I can't wait to get it started!