Sunday, January 2, 2011

Goodbye to 2010 - YES!

Well, here it is, 2011. 

What to say about 2010. 

I could write in great details how 2010 started off pretty craptastic and progressively got worse...let's review, shall we - maybe it'll bring some closure on the year if I spew it all out.  So here we go.....

Jan: Came back to running after PR'ing Tucson Marathon the month before (3:46:00 in gale-force headwinds, thank you very much) with my running brain in a total funk.  Fired my trainer, felt lost, tired, and unmotivated to train for Boston.  Super tired from the almost 1900 miles and 17 races I ran in 2009.

Feb: Finally got a Boston plan together just in time to get worst ever lung infection which left me home from work for 2 weeks coughing my guts out (but what an awesome core workout) and little running.

March: Ran two races.  1st was the St. Patty's 7K in freezing sleet where I miraculously run a 7:44 overall pace and came within 10 seconds of the previous year's PR.  I never once looked at my watch the entire race and I thought I was somewhere in the low 8's.  Something to be said about that, I think.  2nd I ran the Atlanta ING 1/2 marathon, a race I've done the prior 2  years (have good friends in Alabama to visit and have used this race for spring marathon training - LOVE this race, LOVE IT!).  Felt really nauseous the few days before the race so was pretty pleased with my 1:46 time, 2 minutes slower than last year's PR - but realized I had lost some conditioning for a race at this distance.

April:  Boston Marathon.  Never got my training together after Atlanta, just felt really lost and alone, and entered April probably 10 lbs over racing weight and the most under-trained I've ever been for a marathon.  4:30 and some change - but time didn't bother me, I got to run Boston on my birthday with Katie A. at my side and numerous friends on the course with me...but it was the start of severe heel problems which still dog me to this day.

May:  The month of mix-ups.  After two weeks off to "cure" the heel, I ran a 5K with my family.  Worse 5K time ever of 24:31 yet I somehow managed to get 1st in my age group but received a 3rd place medal for it.  2nd race was the Colfax 1/2 Marathon which I did, just to see if the heel would cooperate enough for me to train for San Francisco Marathon in July.  Picked up my race packet and they had my name as Yvette on the bib so I became "runwithyvette" and we had some fun on blog land with that for awhile.  Ran 1:52, worse 1/2 marathon time in a very long time (noticing a worst-ever pattern here?  Yeah, me too) but I really didn't push the pace so much as used it as a test run for the heel, which cooperated with no pain.

June: Ran the Famous Garden of the Gods 10-miler, one of the hilliest road races in Colorado, in prep for the SF Marathon hills next month.  It almost killed me.  Not one level place on the entire course and I struggled bad.  Heel hated the downhills.  A sad realization that my conditioning had reached "happy to not have to walk" levels and my disposition was pretty much crap.

July:  2 races. 1st, Stampede 12K.  Ran this also for SF hill training as this is about 1500' up, turn around and 1500' down.  Felt strong, but very slow.  Mostly a trail race and learned I need more trail races in my life (aka: first sign I realized my road racing pace was pretty much history).  2nd, San Francisco Marathon.  Had maybe one long run of 20 miles and that was split into two runs so knew this wasn't going to go well and planned to exit the race at the half way mark if the heel decided to rear its ugly head.  Had friends waiting for me at the half way mark just in case but I actually felt really well  as I turned the paceometer to a crawl and managed to somehow keep the heel pain at bay and ran the entire thing in 4:18.  First thoughts of doing an ultra in 2011 entered my head as I just felt I could tackle this slow pace for longer, if I had to.

August:  Took the month off from running (6 miles total) to get the heel fixed.  Told my Colorado Relay team I was out (and had a lot of guilt over that) and became the bitter queen of cross training.

Sept:  Ran the 2 Mile Band on the Run race to benefit my son's marching band.  2 1-mile loops.  First mile was a 7:15, 2nd was 8:10 and I was gagging on a lung.  This race really played havoc on my demeanor ... but I won my age group and received a super cool Mizuno jacket.  Nothing like competing against out of shape band moms.

Oct:  Heel a total pain, literally.  Tried to get miles built up around the heel ... and get my head in a better place.  Failed miserably at both.

Nov:  Repeat of October, but let's add an additional 3 lbs on the body to help put the head funk in a deeper hole.  Ran the first ever "runwithjill 5K Treadmill Turkey Trot" at 23:51.  Not my fastest 5K ever but consider all that occurred in the 11 months prior, I was pretty happy with it and I think it was the start of my feeble mind at least wanting to turn things around.

Dec:  Ahhh, the famous Chilly Cheeks Duathlon where Jill learned her running pace pretty much couldn't get any slower unless she walked and that a mountain bike is not good for anything speed-related.  And that bike shorts are much-needed, even if it's only a 10-mile ride.  But this little race sort of ignited the want-it-again fire, and I felt 32% more alive than I had all year (more on that in a future post, perhaps).

So yeah, the year of running for Jill could pretty much be summed up as one entire year-long suck festival.  My emotions have been much been in the toilet - I've had more tears flow this year than I have my entire life and I've wondered at least 4 billion times if it weren't time to retire the racing shoes, but ... truthfully, there were some good things: 

- Somehow I still managed to log 1533.4 miles for the year.  Don't ask me how.  Still pretty short of the 1892 I logged last year....but considering all, I can't believe I reached over 1500. 

- I am regularly (ok, semi-regularly) back in the pool and swimming laps once a week.  I may complain heavily how freaking cold that pool is and it may take me 10 minutes to actually get my face in the water, but I've logged more time there this year than last year and I know this is excellent recovery for stretching my tired running muscles (well, not so overly tired right now, but hopefully soon)

- I found out I may be the world's worst cyclist in a race, but once my butt got over the shock of every crack in the road, I found it was actually kind of fun.  In a sadistic sort of way.  I look forward to the next two DU's and know I could easily do a triathlon this summer, if my path leads me there.  I may not be fast, but I know I won't be dead last.  And 2nd to last isn't necessarily a bad thing.

- I learned a lot more about myself and how tough I really am.  I am truly impressed I never slit my wrists in the midst of all this, really!  I will never take my running for granted again.  Ever!   I have been running competitively for 34ish years and never have I had a non self-imposed set-back as long, or devastating, as I have this year.  Yes, the heel is still being cranky but I'm learning to manage my running around it better and I think, though it is never going to be completely fixed, ever, I can train for some things I would like to do around it (more on that in another post later, too?).

- And finally, because you haven't been sitting here reading long enough already, I have to add how blessed I am to have this blog and made so many personal connections with so many of you.  I know I would be wallowing in self-pity right now if it weren't for the encouragement and belief from those I share the road with.  And when I went back and looked at all those I have personally met from this blog this year alone, I couldn't believe it was 24 of you!!  TWENTY FOUR!!!   I started making a video of my suck-fest year but realized we didn't need another recap so instead, I pulled my boys and together they helped me make a little video of all the blog-land people I have been truly honored to meet this year, and become real friends with so many.  I have to tell you that I have never made a video, have no idea how to, and Incorporated child labor into this production - so I apologize in advance if there are typos, or grammar errors or it sounds really sappy - but it is a fun reflection  and dedication to the bloggers I have met this year.  Oh, and I tried unsuccessfully for probably 10+ hours to incorporate music into the video but to no avail.  At least I know a lot more about WAV files now (is that a good thing to put on a resume?) So grab some popcorn and Gatorade, sit back for the next 8 minutes and 37 seconds and enjoy.


Happy 2011 to each and all of you!  I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you (and for me) and hope to see many of you.  Run strong, friends!

61 comments:

Lee said...

Happy New Year Jill!
I can't even wrap my head around all you've accomplished this year! Hope the heel behaves for you in 2011!

Terri said...

Love the video - many of the faces in there belong to blogs I read! So cool that you've met so many of them! Sending "heeling" (get it?) thoughts your way! :)

Tara said...

Haha!!! Jill I LOVE THIS! I don't think it's child labor if you used your own child, so I think you're good with the video. One of these days you'll have to show me all you know about WAV files.
You are such an amazing friend and I am so blessed to have met you this year. Cheers to a great 2011 girlie, get that damn heel healed and rock the year!

Kate Geisen said...

Oh, Jill...coming late to the party (story of my life, lol) I didn't realize just how ling you've been running (so in another 33 years maybe I'll manage a sub-8:00 pace?) or just what a difficult year this has been. I'm glad to have met you and am looking forward to hearing about this next year too. Here's to a happy, healthy 2011!

The Boring Runner said...

Happy new year! I tried really hard to read through all of these, but I have to admit that I was side tracked at how awesome the snow was. LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

happy new year lady! hope that your heel behaves itself this year. awesome that you got in the pool and on the bike. i laughed really hard at the line " I look forward to the next two DU's " bahahah. if that's not a reason to start biking...

Monique said...

Happy New Year!!
Be happy with all you achieved last year, what a great effort with injuries!!! Hope that 2011 is a great year for you!

ajh said...

Happy New Year! I am so honored to be in your video! You have met so many bloggers this year. You are such a good blogger and quickly become friendly and helpful so people want to connect with you! I am sure you will meet many more this year. I hope you have a healthier year as do I although 2011 's first race started out as a big fat bust for me. Let's hope it was all my bad luck at once and now onto better things!
I love your new header! I assume that is you in the picture.
When are you coming to Vermont for a race? I need to get in the lottery for the 2 person relay. Hopefully I'll get in again.
Happy New Year!

KovasP said...

Well, considering how much you complain it looks like you had a good year. Glad we became blog friends in 2010 looking forward to actually meeting in 2011! :)

DRog said...

GOOD RIDDANCE to 10' !! haha
I cant believe you ran 1500+ thats insase with the amount of "time off" and the injury
you definitely showed strength and courage getting through difficult emotional times. Now is the time! zero in crosstraining queen: diet xt and run when you can - I hope it gets better and better for you...you deserve it:)

Derek

DRog said...

also-
great video
the sleeping dude!!! hahaha

D

Molly said...

I can't believe the miles you put in this year while dealing with all the heel issues, you are seriously my Rock Star Running Idol!

I would LOVE to come out to CO for a race, gotta work on the Hubs first : ) Wishing you all good things in 2011, so happy to have connected with you! xoxo

Generation X (Slomohusky) said...

have fun!

Char said...

For a while there it seemed all gloom and doom but it's nice to know you had some good things to take out of the year. May 2011 treat you much more kindly.

Mark said...

Jill, you are as tough as they come! You put up an amazing 2010 considering the battle with the heel, very impressive and inspiring! Loved the video!!

Christi said...

Great recap of a very tough year! However, you rawked some awesome mileage for being injured!

I wish you an injury-free year full of exciting races and fun!

Adrienne said...

2010 sounded like a rough year and yet you were awesome in my opinion! You kept going, definitely learned something about yourself and came out stronger. Sounds like the refiners fire. Happy New Year!

ShutUpandRun said...

OMG Jill I loved every second!! We actually saw a lot of each other this year and I hope it will be at least that much in 2011. We will both get healthy (and happy) and run again pain free. You've had an amazing year despite that damn heel. Lots of good stuff to come this year I'm sure. Hugs..

RunToTheFinish said...

truly from so many posts of yours I really wouldn't have guessed you had a craptastic year, but a nagging injury is the worst. i really hope a chiro, a massage, some random new technique or something helps your heel feel better soon so you can go all in what you love

Jenn said...

Oh Jill-I just shed a tear. I'm seriously sentimental like that-LOVE the video!

I'm glad the year long suck festival is over for you and ESPECIALLY glad that you didn't slit your wrists in the process. I really think I understand a lot of your feelings throughout the year....

I'm really happy for the good you were able to take out of all this. You really did have some great mileage and some great accomplishments!! You are such a blessing to so many Jill! I'm so thankful to have found this blog. I think it was either the first or second blog I ever read and I haven't stopped!! You continue to make me laugh, make me reflect, inspire me!! Hope 2011 is a whole new chapter for you! Thankyou for being you and making my 2010 so enjoyable!

Marlene said...

Jill, it's been such a pleasure getting to "know" you this year! I truly wish for you to have a great year and a stellar comeback in 2011 - you are such a trooper and you deserve it! Happy New Year!!!

Scott McMurtrey said...

2011 will be a beautiful year. :)

Jason said...

OK, here we go.....best part of this post and I read every word and watched every second of the video.

I learned a lot more about myself and how tough I really am.

We never give ourselves enough credit for the things we do and the things we learn about ourselves so I am so happy to read this part of the post. You are tough and tougher than most of the rest of the world. Don't forget that.

Secondly - I want in on the 2011 video so I am going to have to look at races in Colorado....maybe just buy the bakery and I will BE the 2011 video.

It was fortunate for me that I 'met' you and I am beyond thrilled to have done so.

Here is to a superbly wonderiffic and absofantastic 2011 for you!!!!!

Melissa said...

Happy 2011! I hope that heel starts to behave!

The Green Girl said...

I can't believe how many bloggers you met in a single year! I'm so glad I got to meet you in SF and I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Unknown said...

Oh, Jill, this just made me cry. The part about Rick hugging you just made my night, I'll never forget Boston 2010, the good and the even better. I guess you can say that we all walked away from a special marathon as better people and certainly with stronger friendships.
BIG hugs to you, I know that 2011 will bring you lots of fun and huge blessings. YOU ARE the strongest girl I know, I know how much you want this and HOW HARD you work. IT will come.
I thank YOU for your inspiration and loyalty.
HUGE hugs and Happy New Year!!

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

Great 2010 recap. I'm sure 2011 will be a better year for you. Someday I hope to make your video :=)

Anne said...

Happy New Year Jill! I can feel it, 2011 will be a wonderful year :)
You are such an inspiring and thoughtful woman. Your comments always make me feel good and I love reading your posts. You have a beautiful family and you adventures are always such a pleasure to read about. 2010 was a year of learning...2011 will be a year of doing! Cheers!

Heather said...

Happy New Year - here's to a much better 2011! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy 2011! I just know that this year will be a great year for you. Hopefully I will be able to meet you at a race someday in the future.

AM! said...

Hi friend!
I'm now finally watching the video. first. SO sweet your lil' boys 'made' this with you. it's awesome;-)

and yes, I understand the physical difficulties of 2010, but look at this video...it still super rocked!!!;-)

here's to a grreat 2011;-)

Amanda@runninghood said...

Wow, what a year! What a video too...I watched every minute of it! I can't believe you met all of these bloggers!! You really get around Jill. ;) No really, I can see why so many people love you and why you've made friendships with so many....you've already made me feel special and you've sent such personal and candid e-mails to me that have made me feel like you genuinely care. Thank you. And wow, you're a bad ass! Even with heel issues and not feeling your best, you're still able to bust out the times you did! I'm impressed! Looks like even though you were not physically where you wanted to be in 2010, you had some amazing experiences to look back on!

saundra said...

Happy New Year Jill!!! Warmest wishes that 2011 will be 2011 times better than 2010!

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

Gotta come back later (since I'm at work) and watch the video. You had a tough year but it looks like you learned a lot about how strong you really are and that is priceless. Can't believe you still managed to crank out 1500 miles!! Wowzers on that! Good job there. Best of luck with your running in 2011!

Teamarcia said...

Loved the video! What frustrated you in terms of the heal you made up for with fun! I hereby proclaim you the Queen of the bloggy meetups!
Here's to an awesome, speedy, pain and injury-free 2011!

Glenn Jones said...

"I learned a lot more about myself and how tough I really am" ding ding ding ding!!! *That* makes it a win in 2010!!

Happy New Year Jill!

Chris K said...

That was amazing. For such a crappy year injury-wise, you sure had a great year. You must have a world record for Blogger meet-ups. If I had only come a few weeks later than you could have said you "saved the best for last". Darn it Adam The Crazy Floridian.

misszippy said...

Damn the heel! But it will get on board for 2011. Keep up your great attitude--I'm a much bigger whiner about injuries than you are, so I'm much impressed.

And seriously? That many bloggy meet-ups? Amazing! I've gotta figure out a way to get to Colorado and make next year's video.

funderson said...

HA! The bitter queen of cross training totally cracks me up. Injured or no, you are one fast mama jamma!

Kate Geisen said...

Lol...I most certainly got out there and roller skated, too. Wouldn't miss it! :) Actially, the first time he skated I left my roller blades at home and really regretted it.

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Nice recap of your year. I am hoping your heel and all other body parts are rendered mute during 2011! And you will get to meet up with more bloggy friends.

Beth said...

I'm sorry to hear that you had such a hard year, I hope 2011 is much, much better. I found triathlon after a running injury, possibly it will be your new love?!? LOVE the new header to your blog!

Lindsay said...

so i've come to conclude there isn't a running blogger you haven't met.

that was an awesome video! lol'd at the lime green phobia and i looooved the part about rick. i feel guilty for not writing anything about him in my 2010 recap... i think we should put together some sort of virtual run for him. what do you think? we might be able to get jersey jill to help out too. surely with 3 unorganized, neurotic people on it - it would eventually get planned? ;)

Irene said...

Happy New Year, Jill! I'd say you've traded a little speed for some wonderful new friends and priceless memories. :)

Tim said...

It's really cool how you meet so many folks. And I think you do more interesting things every two months than I do in a year.

Jamie said...

The lingering heal issues can make it all seem craptastic but at least you met some wonderful people and had some fun :) I hope 2011 is a better one for you!

Tortuga_Runner said...

Cheers to a fantastic 2011

Johann said...

Happy New Year Jill! May you have a wonderful 2011! It was great to share the ups and downs of 2010 with you.

LMC said...

Hey Jill,
You are strong!! It takes much strength, courage and motivation to keep moving forward through so many obstacles. Not everyone can do it, but you did!! Now, carry on!

I am so happy to have found your blog! You are funny, informative, entertaining and most of all, inspiring. Thank you for all that!

I hope you have a healthy and happy 2011, filled with even more bloggy meet ups and a longer video for next year's recap! :)

Julie said...

Hi Jill,
I loved this! You must have put so much time into putting this slid show together! It was really fun to watch. You have had such an amazing year. I know that your heel is still bugging the crap out of you. You were still able to accomplish some pretty amazing stuff! Look at all of the fantastic races you ran...and fast too! Putting running aside...you also have had a wonderful year in terms of meeting blogger friends and making some great bloggy friendships:) I am so glad that we became bloggy friends...it has been almost a year for us! Love you Jill! Cheers to a great 2011! Hopefully we can meet sometime this year...my hubby owes me a trip:) Hugs and love!

Unknown said...

I know you said it sucks but it sounds like a pretty AMAZING year to me. What wonderful accomplishments with so many great people. AWESOME video, too!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Anonymous said...

Jilly Beans as your blog reflects life has it's ups and downs! But you also prove that friendships are the most gratifying and perhaps the most important thing in our lives. It was a tough running year for you. But you are blessed with an even greater prize of a wealth of friends and family. Here's to a healthy 2011.Thank you for all you did for me this past year. Not just as a coach but as a friend! Tommy O

Kate Geisen said...

Oh, my kids think I'm terribly boring, when I'm not being embarassing or annoying. Sometimes I'm all three. But I'm making a real effort to shed "mom mode" whenever possible, i.e., jumping on the trampoline with them instead of standing on the side worrying about skull fractures, playing tag instead of watching from the porch, etc.

Andrew Opala said...

Great movie Jill! Really says a lot about you and the great blogs you read.

Looks like the video says you had an awesome year, even though the writing above says ... not so much.

Joanne said...

What a terrific recap of the year. You said it was a crapola year but for most people that was an AWESOME year!
I'm going through the same lack of motivation for Boston training as you suffered last year. Aches and pains don't help the motivation to run. The snow and cold really put the cabosh on things. I hate the treadmill but hate running in deep snow (no clear roads at 5 am) even more.

This year will be better for you although I truly think last year you should be proud of what you accomplished. It was pretty darn good in my book.

Sherri said...

You had such a fantastic year!

Caratunk Girl said...

That is so awesome you got to meet so many bloggie friends!! I met 2, which I thought was pretty awesome, but you have me beat for sure!! Happy New Year, 2011 is going to be awesome.

All Things Jaime said...

First off, I just love that your blog is snowing! I guess I never noticed b/c I usually check from work instead of home!

I'd say you still had a great year and great mileage ... even if it wasn't your best, it was still miles ahead of the rest of the world!!! I say, celebrate!!

Anonymous said...

2010 was a semi-suckfest for me too. I still think you had a good year (lets focus on the positives!) and I think you are wonderful. I count you in my blessings <3

Katie A. said...

Man, I'm so f-ing behind! LOVED THIS! 2010 was so special for me, too - because I formed a lasting friendship with you - I'm so blessed and honored to have you a part of my life. Love you to pieces, I know 2011 will rock!
xoxoxoxoxox

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

You had a great year of meeting tons of people! Fun! So glad I got to meet you!