wow… what a year 2008 has been. i had NO idea when i came across a flyer in the mail on training to run a marathon around this time last year what it would lead to… no idea.
sometime around the end of the year we received a flyer in the mail for train to end stroke and training for the san francisco marathon. i have always loved working out, but mostly stuck to the gym with lots of crosstraining and weight lifting. i had gone through periods where i would run, mostly on the treadmill, but some outside. i always enjoyed running but i think 4 miles might have been the longest i had ever gone.
so new years eve was here and we both declared we were going to train for a marathon in 2008. we went to a information meeting in january and on february 9th we ran the first mile of training.
since then i can’t believe how my life has changed. i truly love to run, love to train, love being part of a running community, love every part of this life as a runner. i don’t know what i did before this?!?
i know i already did a quick recap on 2008, but i wanted to add some things that didn’t fit in my 52 words.
in 2008 i have….
- ran 1356.7 miles (feb 9th through today… there will be some more between now and new years)
- ran 2 marathons… 4:04:35 and 3:44:27 – cut 20 minutes off in 4 months
- ran 3 half marathons… 1:51:03, 1:51:15, 1:48:14
- ran 3 5ks… 25:53, 24:14, 23:09 – each one cut a minute off the previous one. my pace in my first 5k is now my goal marathon pace which makes me laugh
i guess i have improved a bit over the year - between chris and me, we raised over $4500 for the american stroke association
- developed a love and passion for running that i had no idea would exist
- inspired some friends to start running and train for a race
- joined an amazing community of runner’s and writers
- met some amazing friends
2009 running goals…
- cut 3:28+ off my marathon time aka qualify for the boston marathon (3:40:59)
- run a sub 1:45 half marathon
- break 23 minutes in the 5k
- run a 10k
- run 200 miles in a month (i got sooo close twice)
tentative 2009 race schedule…
- feb 1st – kp half marathon
- march 15th – shamrock half marathon
- may 3rd – eugene marathon
- may 31st – san diego rock n roll marathon*
- july 19th – napa to sonoma half marathon
- oct 18th – half marathon (nike or primos, depending on dates and if i get in)
- dec 6th – california international marathon
- i definitely want to throw a few 5ks, and hopefully a 10k or 2 in there – just have to find which ones i want to do that fit in with all these other races
* i do realize that the san diego marathon is 4 weeks after eugene. i was having such a hard time deciding between the eugene and san diego that i just decided to do both i knew i wanted to “race” eugene, so san diego will strictly be a marathon run for FUN, i promise… i am talking taking my time, stopping to take pics, having a fun girl weekend with all my friends that are going, etc. i just couldn’t resist when they were all going and the thought of running a marathon like that is really appealing
other goals:
- de-clutter – i want my house to stay clean, i want the clutter to go away, i want to be more organized. chris and i are going to spend a couple days of our vacation getting our house to a place we want it to be… so i am going to do everything i can to keep it there because sadly yes most of the clutter is from me.
- eating – i do already eat pretty well, but there is always room for improvement. i ate really well in training for CIM and cut out a lot of processed foods, etc. and i could tell the difference. so i want to continue with that to make my eating healthier. with that i want to develop meal plans for the week before i go to the store so i know what foods to buy and don’t buy things we aren’t going to use.
- gratitude – i have seen a couple people who have gratitude journals and i want to start one come jan 1st. write something i am thankful for everyday… i usually try to be a pretty positive person but i have those days where i am not and i think this could help.
i have never really been excited about new years or an upcoming new year, it was always just something that happened and came and went. i was always sad to see the year before over, but this year it feels really different. i really am excited to have some great goals for 2009 and i am very excited to see how the year goes. after such a great 2008 i hope 2009 will be just as good if not better
i hope everyone has a very merry christmas and a wonderful, happy and safe holiday season. i probably won’t get too many (if any) posts in between now and the new year since i will be on vacation in a few hours! so cheers to a great 2008 and looking forward to an even better 2009!
You’ve had a GREAT year! Looks like next year is going to be just as wonderful.
Woo! Yay for the SD Rock’n'Roll! That is super exciting. We are going to have a kick-ass weekend.
I will come cheer you across the finish line at Eugene, too!
What an exciting year for you! It is so inspiring!
What a great post! It looks like you have a lot of fun stuff planned… I’m looking forward to Napa and I think I will shoot for CIM as well
And I totally need to de-clutter as well! I plan to spend some of my time home next week doing just that.
Wow. What a great year. You are quite an inspiration to all of us (if I might modestly speak for EVERYONE) here in blogland. Congrats on a fantastic year of accomplishments and an awesome plan for 2009.
Enjoy your vacay. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
You have had such a great and inspiring year! I know that 2009 will be even better! I love the idea of a gratitude journal and I think I might start one too – I have a lot of empty journals lying around that I could start to fill some of them up with positive stuff! Enjoy Christmas and have a great new years!
I cant believe you’ve only bee running 1 year and ran all of that. Thats really something to be proud of, your awesome! I cant believe you cut that much time off too! Your my inspiration to run a marathon! Great job with all your hard work and best of luck with all of your new goals for 2009! Merry Christmas
You have had an amazing year – sounds like you were born to be a runner and just finally discovered it this year! 2009 is going to be awesome for you!
What a totally awesome year you’ve had! I don’t know how I missed the fact, but I didn’t know you’ve only been seriously running for such a short amount of time! You’re definitely going to get your goals next year, I think! I also need to really hash out a race schedule soon with all of the price increases coming up. Merry Christmas!
What a fabulous year!!!! Like you I had no idea what my 2008 New Year’s resolution would result in! So excited for 2009 and SD it will be a great time!!! Have a wonderful and fabulous Christmas with the family!
You've had quite the year, Aron. Congratulations! I can't believe how far you've come in <12 months. You're an inspiration!
Looks like a great plan for '09 and I have a feeling you're going to kill those goals.
Enjoy your holidays!
I can’t wait to see you blow these goals out of the water in 2009!
Congratulations on a phenomenal year
Yep. I didn’t think 2008 was going to bring me a marathon either.
De-cluttering is on my list every year. Maybe 2009 will be THE year!
Great goals for the coming year! I was thinking about doing the half in Eugene (just can’t train for the full w/ tri training) so maybe we will see you there.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Congrats on an amazing year, and here’s to an even more amazing 2009! Happy vacation, Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!
Great post. You had an amazing year and a big year ahead too.
Merry Christmas Aron!!
Great goals as always. I feel you on the de-clutter…that is one of my goals over break, to finish unpacking and organizing (my other favorite hobby). good luck getting your house all done! merry christmas
You’ve most definitely had an awesome year of running and I’m so sure you will continue to build on that in 2009 with all your determination!
Hope you have great holidays!
You had a great year, but 2009 is going to be even better.
I have no doubt you will BQ. I am excited to follow your journey. I am planning on running a marathon on May 3rd too. It will be fun to train virtually together!
You are going to have so much fun running san diego just for fun. My friend actually qualified for Boston there.
Hope you and Chris have a very merry Christmas and a fun New Years.
You cut 20 minutes off in 4 months.. ok I need you to kick my butt or something, I really need to pick up the pace in 09!!
Fantastic goals
2008 was good to you and 2009 will be even better! You will do amazing!
I love the idea of a gratitude journal too.
Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Day!!
I HAD NO IDEA YOU JUST STARTED RUNNING!!! I THOUGHT YOU WERE LIKE A SUPERSTAR CROSS COUNTRY GIRL OR SOMETHING!!! You continue to amaze, Aron. I think 2009 is going to be a wonderful year for you and I hope our paths can cross again!
great goals. I seem to never be able to put what I want to do into words. I really should try though in order to have a visual of things to accomplish.
Have a great Christmas and mini-vacay! You’ve earned it–1356 miles. That’s intense!
I like your 2009 goals. I might need to gank a few for my own.
You really had an amazing 2008!! And I really look forward to running some of those races with you in 2009. I think your goals are totally within your reach!!!
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a BQ 2009!!
I’m with you. It’s amazing how much running has changed my life in a year. Good goals for 2009, you’ll make them all!!
have a great holiday!
2008 was truly a year to be proud of. May 2009 be even better! I can’t believe you have clutter, though– one of my new year’s goals is to get organized (Container Store, here I come) and I assumed seeing your party decoration that your house is always super neat and organized. You’ve definitely got it in you!
Merry Christmas and happy new year! Enjoy your vacation.
What a terrific year. It looks like you have some good goals for 2009. Can’t believe you’re going to do 2 marathons back to back but if anyone can handle it, I’m sure you can!
Happy holidays!
What an amazing 2008 you had and I know 2009 will be that much more wonderful!
Speaking of gratitude, I can’t tell you how happy and grateful I am that we became friends this year. I love meeting up for runs and movies, and impromptu trips to Walmart and chatting with you all day during work. Thank you for your friendship, because it truly means a lot to me.
I’ll stop before I start getting all mush!
Merry Christmas!!!
Again, I can’t believe you’re such a new runner. Amazing what a little consistency and dedication can do.
Have a wonderful holiday!
A Merry Christmas to you and yours!!
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a year you have had! Amazing! I can’t believe you weren’t a runner before this year. That is so amazing.
YAYAYAYAYAYAY, you’re running in San Diego!!!!! I bet your fun run will still be faster than my running. I’m aiming for a 4:30 in San Diego…maybe if you’re stopping at every mile for photos we’ll come in at the same time =).
I will sooooo be there in Eugene to cheer you on! Gazelle’s, Jen and I will have to coordinate and make lots of signs.
(P.S. The little word verification thing spelled “lucky”…makes me think of two things…1) I wish you lots of luck on your goals for 2009 and 2) I’m so lucky I found your blog, it is so inspiring.)
You have come a long way in your running!
I like your goals for 2009 – especially the gratitude journal. I may have to start one of those too.
Happy Holidays!
Great goals, great upcoming year coming up, and great ACCOMPLISHMENTS! You’ve had an amazing year!!! I know, I wonder what I did before I started running!! Enjoy the vacation!!!
Aron, happy holidays! I hope you enjoy the time with your family!!
Penny
what a great 2008! it’s amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it. and wow 20 minutes! it took me 2 years to shave that off. have a very merry Christmas with your family!
WOWOWOW!!! You had an AMAZING year!!!! Your plans for 2009 are awesome!!! I can’t wait to hear how they all go! Best wishes for a beautiful Christmas and Happy New Year!
You had a CRAZY good year! Those 5K improvements are NUTS!
Merry Christmas!!
Happy holidays. Congrats on a great 2008. Best wishes for an even more exceptional 2009.
A good run year 2008 and your plans are verry good and goodluck!.
Happy cristmas.
http://rinusrunning.punt.nl/
What an inspiring year! Good luck with your new goals, I’m excited to read about your achieving them!
Great year Aron!! Hope you had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!!
I like the idea of a gratitude journal…it is so easy to get caught up in day to day stuff and forget what’s really important. And cleaning…yeah, I definitely need to work on that too.
I’m glad you got your 2009 schedule figured out – looks like a ton of fun!
Happy Vacation!
Awesome year! Can’t wait to see how great you do in 2009!
It’s been fun getting to know you over the blog world this year!
Happy New Year!! : )
what a rocking year! have some great goals for 2009 – guaranteed you will accomplish them!
Fantastic year my dear.
I love the idea of a gratitude journal too and am DEF going to do one!
what a great year! i am amazed at the 20 minute time off of your first marathon — what an accomplishment. and i love reading your goals for next year.
what kind of training plan are you going to use for the boston mission? i have every confidence that you’ll do it no matter how you train, but i’m interested in your strategies!
I love the ’09 goals! Im right behind you and I will be running a Shamrock Marathon in Va Beach in March! And hoping for a BQ! Here’s to a great running new year! Have a fantastic New Year’s Aron
I’m really considering running San Diego so that I could meet up with all of you!
What an amazing 2008!! You have done so much! I am inspired!