2010 Year in Review

Another turning point a fork….. OK, that’s cheesy.

It is rather fascinating how 2010 was so awful for many people I know and so good for others.  I’d say that 2010 was my year.  Sure, I’ve had bigger accomplishments in other years but no year before 2010 had been so jam packed with big and small accomplishments for me.  For starters, I graduated with highest honors and as a member of the honor society with my Associate degree, then moved on to a Bachelor degree (but that’s another story).  Goodness knows history won’t repeat itself with this one.

In 2010, I finally managed to make the lifestyle change I had been attempting for years.  I broke the weight loss plateau and the weight is still coming off.  But most importantly, I managed to get of the couch, so to speak, and get active.  I made a decision in a moment of temporary insanity, which may not have been so temporary after all, and I went for it.  I wasn’t sure if it was going to stick and I KNOW my husband was doubtful but I took the first step anyway.  I hit the ground running, literally.  Day after day, week after week, mile after mile, I stuck it out.  It wasn’t nearly as difficult as I thought it would be and it is actually pleasurable.  I stared Couch to 5k on June 29th and I haven’t looked back.

Running wasn’t enough since I couldn’t do it every day as a beginner, I needed to find something else.  In came cycling.  I got a cheap hybrid bike at Sports Authority and within a week I KNEW I had to get a road bike because I loved every single minute I spent on that bike.  In case you are wondering, road bikes are not uncomfortable like most people think, at least not if they are fitted correctly. Again, I haven’t looked back.  Introducing cycling to my cardio routine was actually what made my weight loss progress skyrocket and I have been steadily losing weight every week since despite the fact that I no longer count calories and I’m far more relaxed about what I eat than before.  I suppose that I have also learned the art of intuitive eating.

Here are my stats for the year since I started running and cycling.

I ran approximately 55 miles prior to buying the Garmin.  That was mostly during Couch to 5k so they weren’t all running miles, some walking was involved.  So total running mileage will be approximately 265.  I hope to surpass that next year by over 1500 miles.  I don’t have a goal per se but if everything goes well and I gradually increase my mileage to 40 miles per week, my expected 2011 mileage will be approximately 1850. 

Needless to say, I’m pretty sure running and cycling are here to stay.  Bar injuries, I have no plans of slowing down.  I do hope to remain injury free; the only sports related injury I have sustained so far was a case of medial epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) due to the ill fitting first road bike I bought.  I have fully recovered and I”m pain free.  The bike I currently have fits me to a T and I have no pain or discomfort whatsoever, sore butt after 2 hours of riding aside.

I hope 2011 treats me well.

Now the fireworks (despite not been midnight yet) woke my kid up and he’s in full tantrum mode.  I guess that’s his way of ending the year, probably the same way he started it.