Summing Up 2011

It has been a very interesting year.  I describe it interesting because I can't call the last twelve months crap nor can I call them fabulous.  It was definitely one of a lot of ups and downs.  Hence..interesting.  

To start with the not so great stuff:

• Chubby Hubby lost his job in March
  
• I had to have a blood transfusion in June because of extreme anemia
  
• Not being able to run the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon (again with the anemia).  Bummer because this is a race that is extremely hard to get into and I actually got drawn for the lottery.
  
• My Achilles seizing up during Twin Cities Marathon forcing me to drop out at mile 15.5 ( can't forget the .5!)
  
• Not getting the job I really really wanted.  I picked a horrible time to attempt a career change.
• Weight gain, depression, and frustration.  The three went hand in hand.

Now I will stop being a Debbie Downer and go over the good that 2011 brought:

• I went on three awesome mini vacations this year.  Phoenix in February, Vegas in July, and then Florida over Labor Day.  These getaways were awesome!
  
• I completed the following races:
  

1. January- Polar Dash 5k
   
2. February - Lost Dutchman 10k
   
3. March-Get Lucky 7k
   
4. April- Get in Gear 5k
   
5. May-Charities Challenge Memorial Day 5k
   
6. July-Warrior Dash.....what a blast that was!
   
7. August- Urban Wildland 5k.....with my son
   
8. October- 59% of Twin Citites Marathon and the Monster Dash

• I volunteered at the finish line of Grandma's Marathon where I saw many of my friends finish and it got to meet a couple bloggers.
• Speaking of fellow bloggers, I got to meet and spend some time with Bobbi!  She blogs at Zero to 26.2 ( I can't figure out how to link on this thing).   She is awesome and we will be seeing each other again sometime this year.
• We got a puppy....can I put that in both categories?
• Chubby Hubby returned to the working world and he got to spend the Summer with the kids.
• I started hot yoga and love it both for the workout as well as the stress relief 

So how did I do with my goals?

• Have a lunch time date with the gym at least 8 times a month.  It shouldn't be hard with my motivated friends, Leah and Sarge.  The plan is to go every M, T, W, and the occasional Friday.  FAIL
• Participate in an event every month.  So far I have committed to the following races:  SEMI SUCCESS, I didn't quite make it but I did I'd 8.5 races.
•   January:  Polar Dash 5K
•   February:  Lost Dutchman 10K
•   March:  Get Lucky 7K
•   April:  Get in Gear 5K or 10K
• Continue with my Pilates class and not give it up this year like I did last year.  It is boring but a very necessary evil.  SEMI SUCCESS....I dumped Pilates and found hot yoga.
• Make some more progress with Weight Watchers.  After all, it is free for me right now and it would be a shame not to use it. FAIL
• Twin Cities Marathon.  It will be the 10 year anniversary of me becoming a marathoner.  I will do better than I did this year.  FAIL....at least I finished last year.
• Do P90X with Chubby Hubby who is also whipping himself into shape.  I sort of promised him I would do it.  *sigh*  That program scares me.  FAIL...it is still in the package.

PERSONAL

• Read 12 books.  A book a month?  I can do that.  Any recommendations?  SUCCESS or close to it
• Take a lot more photos for fun and learn the basics of digital scrap booking.  FAIL
• Reduce self-induced stress.  We are in the process of making some decisions that will be simplifying our family's life.  BIG FAIL
• Catch up on Modern Family episodes.  Damn that show is FUNNY!   SUCCESS

There was absolutely a lot more great things that happened in 2011, most important my friends and family are healthy.  I will be thinking of what I want to accomplish in 2012 over the next few days.

Resolutions?   Do you make them?

I am blogging for the first time on my new iPad.   It is a fun gadget and I am learning more about it everyday.  I am so overwhelmed by the things that it can do so I have just stuck to the basics (errr....play Angry Birds).  What are your favorite apps?