What an awesome run Lucy and I had tonight! First of all, I am so proud of her. She is doing such a great job at running, and it is so fun to have her with me. Second of all, I am proud of myself. I went and ate mexican food with my boyfriend’s parents tonight, and when I got home at 8:30, it would have been very easy for me to just call it a night. I didn’t. I went out in the freezing cold weather and ran. The distance may not have been far, but it was worth it, and it made me feel great about myself.

Another day down, and another good run…

Well, I decided to do an evening run today. It was close to dark and dark by the time I got home. I just wanted to do a short run, because I had been coughing a bit all day. I ran a short 1.5 mile route, then stopped at home to get Lucy. She has never run with me before. Bulldogs are traditional runners because they have bad respiratory system. They generally snore and snort, but Lucy isn’t like that. She’s got pretty long legs for an English Bulldog, and she has walked a 5k race with my mom before. I decided that I would try for a half mile jog with her, just to see how she would do.

She did AWESOME!!! We got back to the house, and she wasn’t even panting! What the heck?!?! I sure was! She did really great, and I am going to take her on a longer run next time.

Anyway, I ended up going about 2 miles total, and had a pretty good run. My left knee was still sore, but overall, no major complaints…

Until tomorrow…

2010 has been a wonderful year for me. My life has changed dramatically. I finally feel that I am thinking like an adult and not a selfish kid. It only took me 27 years to get to where I am, but it has been worth the long journey. I have figured out who I am. I have come to terms with my faults. My likes and dislikes are clear cut. My values and convictions are my own, not those of my parents or teachers. I am my own person, and I love who I am. I am proud of who I am.

Over the past year, I have done grown up things. I started my own business and have had  a lot of success. I am finding ways to make money and pay off the mistakes of my younger years. But the thing I am most proud of is running a marathon. It was something I never thought I would do or have the discipline for.

I love running. I wouldn’t say I am good at it. I am very slow. I don’t have great equipment, but what I have works. I trained for a whole year for my first marathon. After I ran it, I sat here for almost a whole year waiting to figure out what to do next.

So here I am. I have decided to devote 2011 to my running life. I want to get better. I want to be faster. I want running to be my release. Learning to fuel my body is a goal, and keeping my body healthy is vital. I’m very excited about it, and I know it won’t be easy.  But I am up for the challenge. I am challenging myself to run at least 1,000 miles in the year 2011.

So this is the beginning. December 31, 2010, I am making this declaration.. 2011 is My Running Year!