December 2011

Saying Goodbye to 2011

by blueeyedrunner on December 31, 2011

2011 was a successful year! I cannot believe how quickly it has gone.

January
Began training for the Boston Marathon, completed lots of treadmill runs. Had lots of snow days off of work! We celebrated my mom’s 50th birthday with my first attempt at making a carrot cake.

February
We got engaged. I turned 27. Blue-Eyed Runner moved from blogger to this self-hosted, wordpress site. I finally became certified as a personal trainer and completed my first 20-miler on a treadmill. I began wedding planning and attended my first bridal show. We choose our venue. February was a fantastically busy month.

March
Decided not to work the summer session at my job. We went to the Bon Jovi Concert in NYC. My dad and I volunteered at a race for the first time. We celebrated birthdays in NYC by having brunch with friends.

April
I ran my first Boston Marathon. I upgrade to a MacBook Pro. We celebrated Easter with family.

May- We celebrated friends’ weddings.

June
I set a new 5K PR of 19:26 and started my own bootcamp!

July
We shot our engagement shoot and I began working at 2 other gyms in addition to running my own bootcamp. I kickstarted my writing career.

August
My dad and I began training for the NYC Marathon. Experienced our first earthquake in New Jersey!

September
More weddings, half marathon and races!

October
NJ experienced a snow storm causing extreme damage and I was off of work for an entire week! My dad and I ran our first 18 mile race, the entire length of LBI!

November
I Ran the NYC Marathon with my dad, one of my favorite memories of the year. Dan and I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family and our cousins came! My dad and I also ran our first Thanksgiving Day race!

December
Started a business with my friend, Krista. Celebrated Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Dan’s. Met with our Church Reverend. Registered for shower gifts. Went into NYC to see the tree with my cousins. Finalized the flowers for the wedding.

*Questions from {Not So} Suddenly Susan:

What did I learn?
2011 was a big year for me. I learned that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can make things happen.

What would I have done differently? Why?
I honestly don’t have a lot of regrets from this past year. I feel that I accomplished a lot and have lots of positive memories.

What were my biggest challenges/roadblocks/difficulties?
I had some trouble figuring out who I was and what I wanted to get out of this year. I debating long and hard about taking the summer off from teaching and I am so glad I went with my instincts because I really needed that break.

How am I different this year than last?
I am more confident, secure, and believe in myself more this December than last.

For what am I particularly grateful?
I am grateful for my family and friends. For a fiance who gets me. My precious Cooper. A dad who loves to run. A mom who loves to workout, shop and go with my to flower appointments. For a sister who wants to spend time with me. I’m grateful that my grandma was able to spend the holidays with us.

So, here is to 2012. May it bring your dreams to life.
Happy New Year!

*Tell me your favorite memory from 2011.
Our engagement, of course,  and running NYC with my Dad.

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Guest Post and an iPad 2 Giveaway!

by blueeyedrunner on December 31, 2011

Good Morning and Happy New Year’s Eve!

I will be back later with a Goodbye to 2011, but for now, read my guest post on Rachael’s New York about Keeping the Weight Off During the Holidays!

Also, you may have noticed less posts this month. I have been very busy launching a new project and I will reveal all the details soon, but we are hosting a giveaway that I didn’t want you to miss!

So, I am sorry that you are finding out this way, but a friend and I have launched a wedding site, The East Coast Bride.

This site will not take the place of Blue-Eyed Runner! It has just been a busy month preparing for the launch. In celebration of our launch, we have teamed up with some fabulous bloggers to host an ipad 2 giveaway! Yes, seriously! Stop by, say hi, and enter!

I’ll be back later with some final thoughts on 2011!

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2011 Resolution Check in

by blueeyedrunner on December 28, 2011

Every year I make a few goals and resolutions for myself, and I find it fun to reflect at the end of the year. I’m sure lots of these types of posts will by flying around the blogosphere, so I’ll keep it short :)

Source: weheartit.com via Keri on Pinterest

 

Running

1.) PR in the Marathon.
Not achieved. I came close with a 3:29:55 at Boston. Within 30 seconds of my Steamtown PR (3:29:35)

2.) Break my 19 minutes for the 5K.
Not achieved. I did manage to set a new PR in the 5K of 19:26, breaking my old 5K PR of 19:35.

3.) Break 40 min for the 10K (Current PR = 40:52)
Not achieved. I was not able to break my 10k PR, but I was able to set a new 5 Miler PR of 32:37. (Previous 5-Miler PR = 33:05)

4.) Move up in the Grand Prix Standings. Check!
I was finally able to take first place in my age division of 34 and under. It wasn’t exactly a fair fight considering the previous winner of this division happened to be pregnant, but I also was able to move up from 8th overall in the women’s division to 4th place. I’ll consider that a success : )

Fitness

1.) Become certified as a Personal Trainer. Check!

2.) Start working in the fitness industry (teaching classes and/or training clients).
In 2011, I started my own bootcamp and began working as a bootcamp instructor for another bootcamp as well as a trainer at a local gym this summer.

3.) Be able to do 25 full (not modified) push-ups. At one time.
I’m up to about 18-20 full push ups.

4.) Get certified to teach spin.
Not yet achieved. This is something I would like to do eventually, but am putting on hold for the time being.

Resolutions

1.) Improve the blog.
This one is an ongoing process, however, in February of 2011, I moved Blue-Eyed Runner from blogger to a self-hosted wordpress site.

2.) Attempt an ice bath. Check!

*2012 Goals and Resolutions coming soon!

*What do you hope to accomplish in 2012?

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2012 Racing Schedule

by blueeyedrunner on December 27, 2011

I cannot believe another racing year has come to an end. Here is my tentative racing schedule for 2012. As you can see, it will be the year of New Jersey. My marathon announcements are indicated : )

2012 Racing Schedule
“I race in order to dig deep within myself and see what I’m really made of.”

2009 Races
2010 Races
2011 Races

March
11th- Miles for Music 20k

April
1st- Indian Trails 15k
15th- Cherry Blossom 10k
22nd- Stomp the Monster 5k
28th- Clinton Country Run 15k

May
6th- New Jersey Marathon/Long Branch Half

12th- Newport 10,000
20th- Run for Rachel 5k

June
24th- Lager Run 5k

July
Wedding month!/Honeymoon!

August

September
2nd- Jimmy D 5k
8th- Liberty Waterfront 1/2M

October
21st- Atlantic City Marathon

November
11th- Giralda Farms 10k
22nd- Ashenfelter 8k

December
9th- Grand Finale 10 Mile

*How is your racing schedule shaping up for 2012? Any big races on your agenda??

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Merry Christmas Eve!

by blueeyedrunner on December 24, 2011

Hope you are enjoying the holidays with your friends and family. Eat too much, drink too much wine and sleep in tomorrow.

My dad and I ran 6 miles this morning. We were hoping to do more, but both of my hamstrings were tight. Now I’m off to wrap presents, bake cookies and get read for Christmas Eve dinner.

Enjoy!

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