2011 was a crazy year with many changes, struggles and accomplishments.
The year started off poorly as far as endurance sports go. I had Achilles tendinitis and was resigned to doing the majority of my running in the pool. This, as well as battling difficult computrainer rides, and re-learning swimming techniques made for a very difficult first few months. Eventually, things started to come together.
I completed a half marathon in May on barely any training, and things picked up quite a bit from here. I completed 2 sprints and an olympic triathlon (which I never blogged about...), and had a 5k PR before moving away from Chicago. In the middle of half ironman training, I picked up and moved to Massachusetts to start a new job. The training ramped up while I was settling in to my new life, and I am so thankful for all of my new friends who graciously invited me to work out, introduced me to bike routes and participated in local races with me. I redeemed myself from my May half marathon and really raced to a new PR in Rhode Island. I also bounced back from a panicked swim to have a great overall time in my first MA triathlon the next weekend.
The last month of the half ironman training was tough. I was burnt out, exhausted, experiencing recurring ankle pain that my voo doo dr chiropractor fixed up, and I was just ready to go, be reunited with my Chicago training friends, and put all of the hard work and training to good use! The race itself was an amazing experience, and I was so happy and proud to have achieved such a goal! I will always wear my Austin 70.3 gear with pride!
The rest of the year was taking it easy. I got 2nd in my age group in a local turkey trot 5k (which according to my garmin would have been a PR if it hadn't been an extra .3 miles...) and started to plan for next year.
To complete the year, I signed up for my next 2 races. A half marathon on the cape in February (my first winter half marathon!) and ... my very first marathon to take place in May in Rhode Island! I am so excited and am eagerly looking forward to ramping up to this new goal! I can't wait to see what the new year holds!
Happy 2012!
