Tuesday, December 29, 2009

What a Year

I ran 11 races in 2009, all building up to my first Ironman Triathlon. It was the most challenging athletic feat I've ever taken on and I'm very proud that I finished. I'm very glad it is over and I'm looking forward to a change of pace in 2010. I'll get to that, but for now, a recap.



January 25 Vancouver Lake Half Marathon
1:49:02 - 8:19 pace (3/20 in AG)
Very "off-season" (out of shape!) race in the snow/slush with Emily.



March 15 Shamrock Run 15k
1:15:56 - 8:09 pace
A tough race- hilly, rainy, windy.



April 5 Race for the Roses Half Marathon
1:45:12 - 8:01 pace
Really wanted a PR on this race but missed it, even with Zach pacing me.



April 19 Bridge to Brews 10k
47:04 - 7:34 pace (8/169 in AG)
A PR! First one in a while. Great race.



May 3 Eugene Half Marathon
1:45:51 - 8:05 pace
Once again, was going for a PR but missed it! Still a fun race though.



June 12 Blue Lake Sprint Triathlon
1:25:27 (9/47 AG)
First tri of the season



July 11 Hagg Lake Olympic Triathlon
2:56:27 (5/8 AG)
This race was tough but I was very happy with my pace on everything.



August 16 Lake Stevens 70.3
6:12:21
Awesome Half Ironman race with Zach. Finished just seconds faster than my first Half Ironman time on a much tougher course.



September 12 Aluminum Man Olympic Triathlon
3:07:19 (2/3 AG)
This race was tough- I was at a point of burn out in my training and really had to force this.



September 20 Timberline Trail Half Marathon (technically 14+ miles)
2:06:28 - 8:54 pace (1/35 AG!)
Tough, beautiful, fun race. Awesome to win my AG!!



November 22 Ironman Arizona
13:41:09
Indescribable.




I am going to leave my recap at that. Of course I did a lot of other stuff this year, but it was really all about the Ironman. It had to be. Last year I faced many personal challenges and I got through it, but everything was secondary to my Ironman training.

This year, I need balance. I need to go back and deal with a lot of things -things I neglected or took for granted. I was so focused, but I was also very distracted. Now that the big race is behind me, a lot of things are resurfacing and I have to face them. I want to reconnect with my family in friends, I want to make peace with myself, I need to learn to deal with stress and anxiety. I want to live in the moment. I want to be healthy, happy, and free.

Thank you all so much for all the love and support through this very exciting year. I hope you'll stick with me this coming year, even if it isn't as exciting! Thanks for providing me with so much inspiration and motivation through all of your challenges and accomplishments. Happy New Year everyone!!



I'll leave you with some pictures from the holidays:


Christmas Morning:

My favorite gift: Norah Jones concert tickets!!






Christmas night at the Oliva's:

The gang (minus Anne, who is taking the picture)


Cannon Beach, December 27:

Zach searching for seashells:





Snow today, Dec 29:

18 comments:

Beth said...

You had a great racing year! I can't wait to hear about 2010. Looks like you had a good Christmas. Happy New Year!

SavvyFitChica said...

I'm definitely here for the long haul... mostly b/c I have very similar goals for 2010- finding a way to lead a more balanced life. I'll support you as you find your balance and i hope you'll support me!

You had a fabulous 2009! I can't believe how many races you did- it would have been a lot all by themselves even without the Ironman!

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing!

Petraruns said...

Couldn't agree with your more on the accomplishments vs. goals bit. 2009 was amazing, 2010 will be even better Jen - though all that stuff is going to be harder to achieve than an Ironman ;).

Good luck and love, me

Kim said...

jen, you had an AMAZING 2009! thank you so much for sharing your IM journey with us. i cant wait to see what 2010 has in store for you. happy new year to you and zachattack!

Alisa said...

2009 was an amazing year for you BUT I know 2010 will be just as exciting just in a different way. That's how living in the moment goes, everything has its own excitement.

You know I'm here through exciting big races and fun nights of just being mellow. I'm excited to hopefully be able to spend more time with you and Zach too!

kristen said...

LOVE your new layout. So beatiful. Great pics too! You guys are too dang cute!

Happy New Year.

Amy - the gazelle said...

such a great year & a great recap! As always, I love the pics. I am so glad that I got to know you this year & got to see so many of your awesome accomplishments!

Marathon Maritza said...

You had an incredible year and I am so so so proud of you! Hooray!

Looks like you had a great xmas and yay for Norah Jones! I'll call you soon! Thank you for your message on my bday!

Ewen said...

Hi Jen. It's new year's eve down here, so thought I'd wish you and Zach a happy 2010 :) I hope it's a healthy, happy, and free one!

I like 'Indescribable' as a description for you becoming an Ironman. That video was the best - my sister gave me The Hazards of Love CD for Christmas. Also, that's a great photo - 'Cannon Beach, December 27', and also the footsteps in the snow.

Anonymous said...

What a great year! You accomplished so much, sounds like you learned a ton and you were able to become an Ironwoman. That is huge!

Enjoy your success and I'm pretty sure people will keep reading even if it isn't as "exciting" as Ironman!

John said...

Yummy, yummy bacon....

:)

Oh, and congrats on a great 2009!

Dragonfly on the Water said...

What a year you two have had. I know 2010 will bring you lots of new & exciting memories.

Aron said...

SUCH an awesome year girl :) sooo proud of you! 2010 will be just as awesome, just in different ways :) cant wait to be there to follow along! and i hope we wind up at some of the same races again too!

chris mcpeake said...

congrats on a great 2009. Good luck in the new year

Carolina John said...

Very cool Jen! You had a great year finishing with an amazing ironman and an AG win? too cool. Here's to a great 2010!

Anonymous said...

I am so far behind on blogs! You had the most amazing year Jen!! You should be so proud of all your accomplishments. I can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for you.

Amy said...

Loved your recap and your pics. I miss Cannon Beach now, seeing your pics. What a year 2009 was, I'm ready for 2010!

ShirleyPerly said...

Great year! You had a LOT of tough races there but they seemed to have made you tougher for IMAZ, which is good.

I hear ya on needing to find more balance in life. I feel the same way but need to get my darn 50 states marathon quest out of the way first, LOL.

Best to you in 2010!