2009 review & 2010 preview

I can't quite believe how quickly 2009 flew by! We had another great year. It was perhaps the pinnacle of my running, though I'm hoping it doesn't just go downhill from here. I finished first in my age group in 2 races, second in a couple more, and set PRs in 5 distances (5K, 10K, 10 mile, half marathon, and marathon). I qualified for the Boston Marathon -- something I didn't think I'd ever be able to do.

I met many of my 2009 goals, but also failed to meet others. Maybe 2010 will be the year that I finally finish Citizens? (This has been on my to-read list for over a decade -- I am currently over half done, so I have hope I can finish it in 2010).

The parrots had a pretty good year. Max finally learned to retrieve, which had been a goal of mine for several years. Stella continued her integration in our family. Rocky began flying. Perhaps most surprisingly, we didn't add any more animals to our flock. Now, if only those caiques got along...

Here's my list of 2010 goals:

Reading:

• Finish at least 52 books
• Finish Citizens
• Finish the Harry Potter series (I have 2 books to go)
• Read at least 5 books in French

Fitness:

• Place in at least 2 races
• PR at one distance
• Finish the Boston Marathon with a smile on my face
• Yoga three times per week
• Run an average of 26.2 miles per week

Knitting:

• Make something that requires two strands of yarn
• Make something nice enough I can give it as a gift

As always, I love the promise of a new year. In 2009, I picked up yoga and was introduced to what is possibly the best TV series of all time, The Wire. We traveled to Central America and Asia (though only briefly) for the first time. We saw wild parrots in their native environment. I read the first five Harry Potter books and saw what all the fuss was about.

What will 2010 bring? Thomas finishes his residency and begins his fellowship, which means he'll be home more. We have a trip planned to Boston so I can run the marathon. Other than that, it's all a big unknown that I can't wait to discover!

I wish everyone reading this a wonderful 2010 as well!