If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I’m about to embark on a new adventure this summer.  One that takes me 3000 miles away from where I currently am (and therefore my friends and family) past where my parents live in beautiful Minnesota to Washington, D.C. where I will be starting law school.

The Bitter Lawyer (this is a fantastic econ/law joke if you get it…nerd alert!)

Yes, yes that means I will be simultaneously be working on my J.D. and PhD at the same time, but I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities that this will bring for my career and how much better its going to prepare for my future.

As great as this all is, I’m moving 3000 miles away from my friends and family, and moving to a city where I currently have less than 5 friends, two of who are probably leaving for grads chool themselves.  While I’m excited and putting on a happy face, I am also nervous and sad to leave the wonderful friends I’ve made here in Santa Cruz and move to a place where I will be essentially alone, and have to start all over again.  I know that this is the best move for my career, but am still apprehensive as to whether or not its the best move for me personally.

Regardless, I hope you join me on this new journey, as I navigate through a new city, new school adventures, and finding new friends, races and fitness communities.  Thank you for being a part of my adventures thus far — I can’t wait to share the new ones with you all!

– Anyone live in the DC/NoVa area who runs or does triathlons and/or know of a training/racing group?  I’d love to get involved in a group or meet up with people just as soon as I arrive in August!!  If you live there, or know someone who does and would be interested in having a new friend, please let me email me (phdstrides (at) gmail (dot) com)

This Saturday, April 20, my running team has put together a Memorial Run for Boston in Santa Cruz, CA.  Check out the link above for details and exact location.  Runners of all abilities are encouraged to join.

We are runners. We don’t have to run fast, or run marathons to call ourselves a runner. A mile is a mile, and 26.2 is still a marathon regardless of the time. Runners are a community. We chase one another, we cheer for one another, and we support one another. At no time in running history have we needed to do the latter more than right now. Therefore, on Saturday we will do just that.

Leaving from Verve Coffee on Seabright, we will head out for the Memorial Run for Boston. The run will be broken into two phases. At 7:15 a group will leave with the goal of getting in 5.5 miles. We will then return to Verve at 8:00 am to pick up any runners that would like a shorter run. Total distance will be 11-12 miles. Please wear Boston gear if you have it, and if not, please wear the trademark blue and yellow.

Tell your friends!

Although I cannot be there (and currently can’t run), I will be there in spirit and know that a lot of SCE, and my good friend Meg will be there.   So, come and run #bostonstrong on Saturday.

I awoke yesterday afternoon from my daily nap to a text from my mom asking me if I knew anyone in Boston running the marathon, and if they were okay.  Immediately I went into panic mode — I had no idea what happened.  Then, when I turned on my computer and saw my twitter feed, and started clicking through to news site after news site, I started feeling heart broken and the tears started welling up.

How could anyone – an individual or a group – do something like this on such a celebratory day across nations, across religions, across every type of person as we all united over the universal language of running.  How could someone be so heartless, be so twisted to ruin this international day where we are all united on a common ground, where no one is at war with one another, where no one hates one another because everyone is going through the same pain and great achievement.  How could someone attack my family?

My heart broke yesterday, it broke for the running community, an extension of my family, it broke for Boston, and it broke for the individuals hurt and killed, and their families.  It broke for the 8 year old boy who died.  And every time I start to think about it, or read an article, it breaks all over again.

But at the same time, I have been so inspired, so grateful, so in awe of all the wonderful people there are in the world, who have brought a light and glimmer of hope to this dreadful event.

The individuals on the Emergency Response teams who were there risking their lives to help those affected.

The runners who ran straight from the finish line (or lack there of, if they didn’t get to finish) to hospitals to donate blood.

The entire country (and world) for uniting and standing behind Boston, and showing support and love.  Having lived in Chicago, this particular tribute touched me dearly: Chicago Tribune.

The running & social media community, who started movements to show support and love, like #runforboston, #prayforboston, Run JunkEes Runners United To Remember, the pledge to wear a race shirt or blue & yellow in solidarity today and again on Friday, to dedicate a run to Boston, to be together as one.

The responses and stories that are so touching and real, and well, frankly breaks my heart all over again. A few of the articles that hit home the most:  Eye Witness to Bravery, Horror, The Boston Marathon: All My Tears, All My Love, An Explosion at the Boston Marathon, The People Who Watch Marathons.  And the responses by fellow bloggers that have inspired, and perhaps can better express my reactions and feelings: Boston Marathon: Immediate Reaction, Run For Boston: 24 Hours After, Thoughts on Boston Today.

As runners, we have been hurt, but we will not stay broken.  We will unite together, as one.  We all have a common goal in running — to keep putting one foot after the other, to cross finish lines in one piece, to achieve new PRs, to overcome obstacles, to persevere when the going gets tough.  The Boston Marathon bombings have put a small dent in our shield, but we will overcome, we will come out the other side stronger.

As I move forward and dedicate my first run in almost two weeks tomorrow to #runforboston, I am looking to a positive future in the running community, and that this cloud that has been hung over Boston dissipates.  I hope that the 2013 runners are able to enjoy, at least a little bit, all that they did accomplish in getting to Boston.

My heart goes out to all those affected — both in and out of Boston — as united we run.

The event was held at the Civic Center in Santa Cruz, where I live (which also happens to be the birthplace of CrossFit!) and my CrossFit box bought a block of tickets, and as such I was able to go experience this incredible event.

We got there at 2:30 to start lining up (the doors opened around 3:45/4:00pm), and by the time we got there, the line was already starting to go around the block — CrossFitters are passionate and dedicated, that’s for sure.  Eventually we got in and they did some handstand competitions with CrossFitters — my girl Tiphanie represented our box!

Tiphanie is in the center — rockin out the full handstand

Then it was time for the 13.5 announcement, and the crowd was in awe of the workout:

13.5

Complete as many rounds and reps as possible in 4 minutes of:
100 pound Thruster, 15 reps
15 Chest to bar Pull-ups

If 90 reps (3 rounds) are completed in under 4 minutes, time extends to 8 minutes.
If 180 reps (6 rounds) are completed in under 8 minutes, time extends to 12 minutes.
If 270 reps (9 rounds) are completed in under 12 minutes, time extends to 16 minutes.
Etc.

What a doozy.

First up, were the ladies.  Samantha Brink and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet.  They came out strong and killed it.  But first, we need to appreciate these ladies and the hard work they put into their bodies.  Holy awesome.

Smanatha Brink.   Her abs are even more impressive.Camille Leblanc-Bazinet.  I would kill for her arms.

The head-to-head competition was intense.  And they were pretty darn close through the first 4 minutes, and then in the second 4 minutes, Camille started to pull away — it was her insane ability to string together all those C2B pullups.  I was in awe.  The woman is pretty awesome.

It was seriously incredible.  After 8 min, Samantha was out, and it was just Camille left.  She started struggling towards the end on the Thrusters, but man was she awesome.

Camille finishing out her final thrusters solo.

Finishing with 244, Camille won it for the woman, but Samantha finished with a respectable 175.

Then, it was time for the men.  I lobbied for a better shot, and got entrance photos (which reminded me of American Gladiators) of Jason Khalipa (from NorCal CrossFit!) and Rich Fronning (hello, gorgeous).

     Rich Fronning’s back (yes, please) and Jason Khalipa on the C2B

Then men were intense, but you could tell that the weight on the thrusters was taxing.  Jason Khalipa held on through 8 minutes, and finished with 169 and Rich Fronning made it to 12 minutes with a total of 226.  Definitely have respect for these men, to say the least.

This event was so electric and the crowd intense, and it got me all fired up and excited for CrossFit and working out and pushing the limits.  And it helps that I have a fabulous group of friends at my box that feel the same way.

Andrea, Tiphanie, Anna, me and Claudia

Even though I’m not doing the Open this year, and won’t be doing 13.5, I’m super pumped to see the scores the members of my box (and these fabulous ladies) put up, and am seriously fired up and wanting to partake next year.  Yeah, CrossFit!

What do you think of 13.5?  I’m pretty sure that whoever came up with it is insane… or could only be a CrossFitter.

I wasn’t planning on racing the run — I wasn’t even sure if I was going to run.  I hadn’t been feeling the greatest (thank you allergies) and my left calf (and basically entire leg) had been cramping and tight for days.  So, I hung out with my friend Claudia who was running that 5k as well, and we lined up about halfway back in the field of well over 1,000.  I was just going to take it easy with her…but then the gun went off.

The gun went off and I couldn’t help myself, and I immediately started weaving in and out of women…and just started running.  I wasn’t sure how fast I was running, but I knew I felt good, and then my low battery (yes, I forgot to charge it) Garmin beeped and read 7:01 after the first mile.  My mind was blown, and then my Garmin promptly died at 1.01 miles.

So I ran the race Garminless, and just ran by feel.  And kept passing people, and my legs felt so good (except, of course, for my tight left calf — but the faster I ran, the better it felt).  And then suddenly I was at the turn around, and running back.  And I just kept pushing, and felt fantastic.

And then I crossed the finishline, and they told me my time was 22:xx (figuring I had started on the line).  I was happy with that time, especially with a tight calf and feeling sick.

And then my time was texted to me and I found out I actually finished in 21:15, a 37 second PR for me in the 5k, and I wasn’t really even trying.  I also later found out that I was 3rd in my AG and 7th woman OA – my top finish ever in a 5k for OA!

It was an exciting day, for sure!  And then I got to celebrate St. Patty’s Day and a fun (and PR!) race with the ladies by having brunch at Harbor Cafe.

And if you’re counting…yes I am 3/3 in races for PRs this year…the 10k, the half marathon and now the 5k.  I’m not sure I can keep this up — but 2013 is looking good so far!!

Immediately when I was making my decision on which chef to choose, Aida Mollenkamp stood out to me.  She had a number of recipes that were already gluten free and dairy free friendly, and when I saw the Kale, Apple, Pancetta, and Walnut Salad with Creamy Walnut Dressing I knew I had to make it for the Virtual Dinner Party.

For the most part I followed the recipe above, but I made a few substitutions based on what I had in the house, and what I could find at the local grocery store: (1) I couldn’t find endvies, so I subbed in sunflower sprouts, (2) I didn’t have white wine vinegar, so I subbed in rice vinegar, (3) I couldn’t find pancetta, so I used bacon.  I do wish I could’ve tried it with the endives, since I’ve never had them, but sometimes you have to make do and adjust.

The recipe came together so quickly — the longest portion was the frying of the bacon (which took all of five minutes), and it was a delicious, fairly healthy meal that filled me up.  The only requirement is that you have a food processor for the salad dressing, but if you don’t mind it a little chunky, and more of a ‘spread’ I think a blender might work in a pinch.  And speaking of the creamy walnut dressing, I can’t wait to use on other salads, and possibly even as a dressing for meats!  Soooo good!

Aida Mollenkamp and California Walnuts for the win, that’s for sure!

I am so happy I had the opportunity to join the virtual dinner party — check out some of the other food bloggers who joined Aida’s Virtual Dinner Party here.  It felt great to get back in the kitchen and do some cooking again!  Thanks California Walnuts for this fantastic opportunity!

As a part of the Virtual Dinner Party, and on behalf of California Walnuts, I was also sent TWO copies of Aida Mollenkamp’s recipe book: Keys to the Kitchen.  What does that mean?  That I have ONE copy to giveaway to one of you!

Although I was disappointed the recipe I made wasn’t in the cookbook, I still loved Keys to the Kitchen at first glance.

Its got a great set of recipes, a number of which I’m really excited to make, but one of its greatest aspects I think is the informational and instructional information the first two chapters have.  And it has photos, which is always a bonus in my book.

It gives you great instructions on mastering grocery stores, knife skills, and etc, before diving into the delicious looking recipes.  I mean, if the Kale, Apple, Pancetta and Walnut salad I made says anything about what’s in her cookbook, it should be pretty fabulous.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Aida Mollenkamp’s Keys to the Kitchen.  The giveaway will be open through Friday, March 8 at noon PST, and I will announce the winner later that afternoon, and get the cookbook sent out asap.

How to enter?

You must do one of the following to enter:

(1) Take a look at Aida Mollenkamps’s recipes used for the Virtual Dinner Party and leave a comment on which recipe (from the Winter or Spring menus) you’d like to try.

OR

(2) Leave a comment telling me about your favorite way to eat walnuts (in a recipe, raw, candied…etc).

For an extra entry:

(3) Tweet about the giveaway, and leave a comment back here saying that you did so.  example tweet: “I just entered to win an @aidamollenkamp cookbook from @phdstrides virtual dinner party giveaway http://wp.me/pVOD1-1k5″

*California Walnuts provided me with the walnuts for this recipe and the cookbook for the giveaway.  However, all opinions are my own.

To say this has hit home, is an understatement.  Many of these crimes have happened within just a few miles of my home — and the rape happened very close to where I spend most of my time on campus.  I run through the locations of crime on a weekly basis, and its terrifying to think that it could have been me or one of my running friends.  Its been a reminder that although I live in ‘paradise,’ I need to remember to be safe when I’m out and about — especially while running.

Fellow SFM Ambassador Meg, who is one of my favorite running buddies and lives just a few miles away from me, also had these crimes hit home.  And she just wrote her latest blog post on Running Safe for the SF Marathon.  I recommend checking it out for some ideas of things you can do to ensure your own safety while doing what you love.  And I’d love to hear some of your tips:

What do you do to ensure that you run or train safely?

Friday afternoon, Meg and I drove down to the San Diego county area, where we stayed with her parents for the weekend.  Having only had 3 hours of sleep the night before, Meg graciously drove the whole way (well she drove the whole trip back too…) and after a few hours in the car, I took a looong nap, and missed a fair amount of the trip.  So the trip really flew by.

Saturday, after a delicious brunch at Beach Break Cafe – which is delicious, btw — we headed to the Women’s Half Marathon Expo at the Sheraton on the Harbor in San Diego.  We picked up our bibs, cute shirts and checked out the vendors (and bought pink argyle adorable socks from ProCompression, which we both wore raceday), before meeting up with the X-1 Audio team at their booth.

The X-1 Audio Team in Graced by Grit

X-1 Audio was the headlining headphone sponsor of the Women’s Half Marathon in San Diego.  They gave each of us a pair of headphones made specifically for women to try out.  They’re comfortable, cute and come in so many colors (I got the teal!).  I wore them during the race, and only had to adjust them 2 times!  We then met the wonderful Kate from Graced by Grit, a new women’s athletic clothing company, who outfitted us in cute capris and super comfy singlets. A foreshadow: the singlet was perfect for race day – great fit, great material, breathable.  Perfect, to a T.

Graced by Grit….manikin style

Me and Meg in our Graced by Grit gear

We also were hooked up with these amazing sunglasses from Smith Optics.  They are super light weight, crystal clear, and have lenses that can be easily switched out (rose and clear).  I wore them race day, and throughout most of the run I couldn’t even tell they were there.  A definite win in my book.

The Smith Optics sunglasses and X-1 Audio headphones

We also received compression sleeves from CEP, which are comfortable and cute, and I can’t wait to wear in the near future.  What I loved about CEP is that its not a guessing game for size.  They measure your calf, and tell you your size for all their sleeves and compression socks.

The team getting fitted at CEP for our compression sleeves

After the Expo, we headed back to Meg’s parents house where they made a delicious dinner, and we had a lowkey night before crawling into bed around 8:30pm (heyyyy we were super tired and we had a 4am wake up call).  And by 9:30 it was lights out for me!  A definite first for me in a looong time.

Sunday morning we woke up at 4am, and got ready, ate breakfast (banana + almonds for me) and then headed into San Diego for the race start.  At the start, I met one of my favorite running bloggers for the first time, Skinny Runner.  She was very down to earth and real, just how I hoped she would be – and I might even like her more in person than on her blog.

At 6:35am, the race began.  I love the race, and the idea behind the Women’s Half Marathon, promoting women getting out and exercising together.  The one thing that I was kind of disappointed in was the fact that there was a man pacing the 1:35 pace group.  I mean, if its supposed to be a women’s race…shouldn’t there be a woman pacing?  I know plenty of women who can run a sub 1:35…

Me and Meg (running twins!) running strong at the start of the race

Anyway, the course for me was my dream course.  Flat, with minimal hills.  I started out running with Meg, but by about mile 3, we had drifted apart.  I decided to race, and Meg was using the run as a training run for her upcoming marathon.  I was hitting the splits I wanted the first half…I was running a 7:35 pace…

Running toward the finish

I kept this up through mile 7, when my stomach started acting up.  My worst nightmare: the return of runner’s stomach.  I hoped it would be a one port-a-potty stop.  I started running, but it was a no-go.  It meant additional stops at mile 9, 10 and 11.  With each stop, I saw my hopes of running a sub 7:40 pace half marathon drift away…  And after the mile 11 stop, I was disheartened and my mind and body were out of the race.  All I wanted to do was finish.  I knew a PR was still going to happen, but it wasn’t the time I had trained for and/or mentally prepared for.

About to cross the finishline!

I was disappointed when I crossed the finishline.  To say I wasn’t would be a lie.  I knew I had a PR and I knew I should be proud, but my stomach decided to reign (as it often does), and it pushed my goal out of reach.  It took me a full day to get over the disappointment, and I’ve accepted it for what it is…and embraced my PR.  It was a PR by more than 5 minutes and an 8:07 pace…so I can’t be disappointed in that.  (And it makes achieving another PR at another half that much easier – right? )

At the finishline with my race bling and a shiny new PR: 1:46:19

All in all it was a great race, with great old & new running friends, and two fantastic companies: X-1 Audio and Graced by Grit!  I loved every moment of our trek down to San Diego and our time spent down there, and am now so happy to come away with that PR.  It is representation of how far I have come in the past year as a runner, which I contribute a great deal to Santa Cruz Endurance and the great running friends I have gained from joining.

Me and Meg post race – sneaking in a little SFM reppin’ with our headbands!

After finishing, I stretched and massaged my legs a bit since my left calf was a little tight, which I later found out was attributed to this…

Yeah…that’s not good.  That’s something I’m going to work on…and believe might have something to do with my arch tear this past fall.  Le sigh.

Anyway, back to the post race.  The team gathered at the stage for the award ceremony where the fabulous Dana from X-1 Audio said a few words about the company and team, and we snapped a few post-race photos.

The X-1 Audio girls in Graced by Grit!

After snapping some photos, we headed back to Meg’s parents house for a quick, but delicious breakfast before heading back to Santa Cruz so I could teach a night-before-the exam review section.  Talk about a quick and busy weekend — but one that was totally worth it!

Me and Meg post race and cooldown

It was such a fun weekend, and I am so happy I had the opportunity to be a part of the team and run with all these fabulous ladies this weekend!

***A shout out to Meg’s parents who were our chauffeurs and gave us a place to stay for the weekend – thank you thank you thank you!

***X-1 Audio comped my race entry.  Graced by Grit, Smith Optics, CEP and X-1 Audio provided us with their products, but all opinions (as always) are my own and I was not paid nor was I asked to review the products.

So, race day came, and Meg & I headed over to the race start, just a couple miles away.

Me and Meg (reppin’ the 9ers) before the race

After a 1 mile warm up run (and a quick trip to the porta potty for me), we got ready to toe the line.

This race starts on a street that isn’t closed off, so we all stand on the side of the road, and then quickly file in to start the race.  Kind of entertaining.  (It’s also entertaining hearing all the volunteers yell “car back” “car back” “car back” down the road to get runners to move out of the way.)  Anyway, after filing onto the road, we were off.

I tried to start off fairly conservatively (I have a bad habit of starting out too fast and fading too quickly), so I settled into a steady pace and ran a 6:59 first mile.  After that, I settled down, into what I knew would be an ‘achievable’ pace, and just kept hitting the pavement.

For the most part, my pace felt relatively “easy.”  I settled in and just let my legs do the work.  I was kind of all over the place, but my average was right where I wanted it to be. I was almost in disbelief most of the time, but I looked at my Garmin minimally to not get too obsessed and freak out (and therefore destroy my race).

The race went by ridiculously fast, and just like that I was closing in on the last mile (I think it also helps that the race was on West Cliff in Santa Cruz — basically my favorite place to run ever), and I just kept repeating to myself “you can do anything for one mile.”

At about what I thought was .25 out from the finish, I started picking up the pace.  And as I rounded the corner to the finishline, thinking I had only .1 left, I realized that the finishline was further away than I had anticipated…and struggled to keep my pace up, but I did what I could.

Sprinting to the finishline

I gave it all I had at the end, and crossed the finishline in 46:06 (7:21/mi pace).*  A minute and a half PR, baby — which landed me 3rd in my speedy AG.

Taking 3rd in F25-29!

All in all it was a fabulous day, with PRs and great races all around.  Meg had a huge PR and snagged 4th woman OA and 2nd in her AG.  And our SCE teammates Aaron and Julian kicked it for the men, taking 1st OA and 3rd OA, respectively.

Aaron, Julian, Meg & I after the race

It was a great way to start out Superbowl Sunday (though it would’ve been better with a 49ers win…  at least that’s what I’m told), and I can’t think of a better way to kick of the 2013 racing year than with a PR!!

*The 10k course was a little long at 6.28 miles…so I maintain the thought that I could’ve run a 45:xx 10k

Best Race Experience

This is a toughy for me.  I did 18 races in 2012 (say what?!), a mix of triathlons and running races.

I would have to say that I think my best running race was the Santa Run 5k in December.  I achieved a PR (21:52), was surrounded by great friends, and realized that with the right words, attitude and training, I can achieve my goals, even if they’re beyond what I think I can physically do.

For triathlons, it would definitely be the Big Kahuna half ironman distance.  I was almost positive that I had it in me to complete the race, but I wasn’t sure.  Even though it was a draining race (it took me 41 minutes longer than I had hoped), I finished it and proved to myself I could do it.

Best Run

Best run…I think that would have to be my first run back from my injury.  I ran only three miles, but two of my favorite running ladies, Leslie & Meg, were just as excited as I was that I was back running, that they took it easy with me and just made sure everything went well that first run back.  It was exhilarating — it renewed my love for running and made me so very thankful that I can run.

Best Piece of New Gear

My best piece of new gear?  That would probably have to be my tri shorts.  I had a pair of bulky tri shorts I wore at my first triathlon last year, and then I invested in a new pair, and it was instant love.  I wear them all.the.time for biking, triathlons, spin class, just for fun (what?!) — I should probably buy new ones its that disgusting how often I wear them.

Seriously — three different times in photos alone in less than 3 weeks…

Best Running Advice Received

It was actually from my CrossFit coaches, surprisingly.  And it was that you need to listen to your body and when it says “no” loud and clear, listen — but that sometimes even if you’re not feeling the greatest, you need to get out and do it.  You’ll know within 5-10 minutes if the workout (run, CrossFit, bike, swim) was a good idea and usually it is.

Most Inspirational Runners

The members of my running group, Santa Cruz Endurance, are some of the most inspirational runners I know.  They have taught me that you can get anywhere you set your mind too, and have shown me that with good work ethic and determination (and injury avoidance) you can achieve great things.  A good example of this is my good friend Meg, who set PR after PR this past year — and it was truly her dedication to running and improving that got her there.  Its something I aspire to this coming year.

Meg (SCE), Me, Laura (SCE), Michelle and Margaret

The other most inspiring runner I met is another Santa Cruz area runner, Michelle.  She is an incredible runner (wins races frequently), and incredibly humble and thankful everyday for her ability to run, enjoy life and just be alive.  I aspire to be more like her in my everyday life, let alone in running and triathlons, and hope to embrace some of her positive attitude as we dive into 2013.

If you could sum up your year in running in three words, what would they be?

Frustrating – This year has been frustrating for me in terms of athletics for a number of reasons.  I have long suffered from GI issues, which have left me in search of port-a-potty after port-a-potty in no small number of races.  Additionally, in late September I was sidelined with a partially torn arch, which crushed my hopes at running a sub-4 hour marathon, and attempting the BQ at CIM.

Inspiring – I have met so many wonderful runners and athletes this past year that have left me wanting and yearning for more.  They have inspired me on so many levels to not settle for what I’ve currently achieved and to always push the limit to see if it can go a little further.  Whether its PRing in a 5k, or going for that first strict pullup at CrossFit (a goal for early 2013) — I know now, by those athletes in my life, that I can achieve them.

Grounding – My injury this past fall wasn’t the only thing that threw my running and athletic world for a spin.  In late October, after experiencing undiagnosed symptoms for years, I finally got to the bottom of things.  After seeing a rheumatologist, I was diagnosed with lupus, a life-long incurable autoimmune disease.  (If you’d like more information please go here.  I will do a post on the symptoms I have and how it affects my training/every day life in the near future.)  After lots of research, lifestyle changes (no more drinking – sad day!), starting medication (I take 20+ pills a day in the form of prescriptions and supplements/vitamins to help prevent the onset of additional symptoms), and rest due to the extreme fatigue of the disease, I have finally leveled out at a place where I can sustain my workload and workouts without needed to sleep 16+ hours a day.  This change in my lifestyle has made me realize how thankful I am that I can run, bike, swim and do CrossFit, and has made me more in tune with my body and appreciate every day all that much more.  It has grounded me and made me reevaluate some of more original aspirations and goals — I may not be able to shoot for the moon at lightning speed, but I’m going to shoot for it, with everything I can.

What were some of the highlights of your year in running/athletics?  What words would you use to describe your 2012?