Out With The Old, but not forgotten.......

Bailey & Dexter

Another year has passed and it was definitely a year to remember.  I have no complaints, no regrets!  I have 3 healthy, gorgeous, funny, bratty children, the rambunctious dachshund duo, and of course my sidekick a.k.a. my husband. In addition, we have a large, crazy extended family on both sides.  What more could I ask for?

The year started out with little fanfare other than the normal, chaotic events of 3 older children and the crazy extra curricular schedule that comes with it. My daughter, 17 years old at the time, decided to add a little excitement to the mix and total her first car that January. The car was seriously damaged. Little brother claimed he would never drive with big sister again, but no one was seriously injured.  If you seen the wrecked car, you would consider this a minor miracle and probably understand little brother's concerns.  
**Sidenote:  Crazy, obsessive moms such as myself have gut instincts when it comes to our children.  That morning, I second guessed allowing the kids to drive themselves to school.  I had this overwhelming, internal, hard to explain, kind of feeling, that I should have driven them to school before they even left the house. I rationalized my final decision by telling myself I can't baby them forever and that they needed to learn to drive with the winter elements.  Within minutes of the kids leaving the house, the phone rang.  I knew prior to the finish of the first ring, something was seriously wrong.  So, moms....trust your instincts.  

Me, seriously questioning my decision
to zip line.  Can anyone say serious fear
of heights?

                                                                 

On Spring Break, we took our kids on their first cruise ever.  They absolutely loved it and are hoping to to be able to do it again this year.  My youngest son and I had a blast snorkeling and zip lining in Mexico while the remaining family members stayed on dry land to shop.  I have to say running on the dreadmill on a cruise watching the panoramic view of the deep blue sea waters and its dolphins takes the dread out of treadmill. 






The time after our vacation and prior to the first week of May, my running partner and I attempted to train and get in as much running as possible with both of our crazy schedules, prior to the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.  It was an uneventful, but slow run unlike my first mini ever presented here at Why I Run  on anothermotherrunner.com.

My last leg of the Dances
with Dirt 50 mi. relay.

Within just a couple of hours of finishing the Mini, I jumped on a plane and headed south to Treasure Island, Florida with my 2 sisters.  I maintained my running, even in the crazy heat, maybe with a little too much gusto.  When I returned home the following Saturday, I ran in the Dances With Dirt 50 mile relay. 

Upon completion of the relay, the sharp pain I experienced immediately after crawling out of the creek, gave great indication I had obviously injured myself and/or over done it.  Even after a weeklong addiction to ibuprofen and applying ice; my grapefruit size knee showed no intent on lessening the swelling anytime soon.  Long story short and after info obtained from an MRI, with an unhappy IT band and diminishing cartilage, I needed to find an activity, at least temporarily that didn't involve the high impact of running.

Isn't she beautiful?  She even slept with us in our hotel
room the night prior to our R.A.I.N. ride.

My love affair for biking started all because of my battered relationship with running.  Once we bought our bikes, I wanted to ride all of the time.  I harassed my husband every Saturday morning and any other chance we had to get in a bike ride.  Sometimes he obliged and other times I had to find other willing companions. Just like my running, he isn't the most willing participant when it comes to what he calls my "crazy endeavors".

The "Before" picture, before he
wanted to kick me!

The "After" picture, after we
were done & that was his thumbs
up to "Consider yourself lucky, I
haven't killed you yet."

 I'll never forget my first real biking event.  My husband and I completed the R.A.I.N. Ride, a 160 mile ride in one day across the state of Indiana only three weeks after buying our bikes.  Just to give you an idea of our day, this was my Facebook post following this quite eventful day:  "Bikes $1000, Biker Shorts $80, Entry Fees $ $90, Helmets $80, Hotel $100 FINISHING the RAIN ride 163 miles on bike with your husband, PRICELESS! Him telling me he wants to kick me for getting him into this, NOT SO NICE!"

I continued my summer with as much bike riding as possible and eventually started running again.  Well, I probably shouldn't call it running.  My knee had finally reduced itself to half the grapefruit it used to be and I was able to get in a mud run, the Rebel Race, prior to the end of the summer.  You can read all about it here at Conquering The Wall. 






I got in a couple of extra events in October, a 10K and the very Hilly Hundred century bike ride. I seriously questioned almost every minute of the Hilly, whether it was going to end up a DNF.  It was probably the hardest event, running or biking, that I've ever done. Lack of training, and of course those dang hills; of course contributed to my lack of confidence.  Regardless, my desire to not have a DNF on my record prevailed.  I finished every freaking mile and hill and intend to be back next year, hopefully with more miles under my belt prior to the ride.

Of course, my daughter decided to add a little more excitement to our lives, once again.  She totalled her second vehicle, less than a year later on the way to school. All occupants were ok, other than vowing never to ride with big sister once again. As before, if you were to see said totalled vehicle, you would once again question this minor miracle.  Read sidenote above.  Exact same internal, gut feelings that I ignored once again; trying not to baby the babies-dumb mommy. 

I finished off the year with a few holiday runs; the Turkey Trot, the Jingle Bell 5k, the Santa Hustle 5k and the Rudolph Run 5k.  It was a busy time as I attempted to squeeze in all of these runs and manage to not go crazy with the hustle & bustle of the season's obligations. Christmas shopping was completed last minute, as usual.  Family gatherings were abundant and sometimes full of more drama than I care to mention.

If I had to sum up the year 2011, I would refer it to my year full of firsts.  I ran my first mud run, bought my first "real" bike, ran my first trail relay, rode 2 significant bike rides of 100 or miles, and ran 4 different holiday runs that I've never ran.  As if I've not mentioned it enough, another big milestone first was my willingness to run in the cold.  Ok, maybe I shouldn't refer to it as willingness, more like.....you payed for the run, you sure as heck aren't going to waste the money all because it's a frigid 20 degrees. 

My next post will be your typical bloggers' 2012 goals.  Yes, I too am going to bore you with my intended efforts for the next year.  So, out with the old, but not forgotten; and to follow "In With the New!"

Before my next blog entry bores you to tears on how I intend to make myself better this year, how was your 2011?  Any firsts, never again, etc?

Thanks to those who have endured reading my long, sometimes rambling blog entries, liked me on Facebook and/or have followed me on Twitter. If you have yet to do so and are a glutton for punishment, you may find me here on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter.