2012 was a very difficult year on many fronts. Emotionally, professionally, athletically, and other -ally words I can't think of right now. Am I happy to be saying goodbye to 2012? On many fronts, yes. It has been a really difficult and trying year, but I have grown so much as a person through it all. I truly believe that ones struggles define their strengths and although struggling is hard, it makes us who we are. I respect that. On the other hand, I don't want 2012 to end. I'm very much a person who does not like to get older and does not like when time passes too quickly (unless it's the winter season). The passing of time makes me sad.
Without sounding so Debbie Downer, there were certainly great things that came out of 2012. I learned, and continue to learn, a lot about myself and that's one thing I will always be grateful for. I grew professionally and had a much better year teaching last year (early part of 2011 included). A lot of what I can reflect on and be very proud of comes from sport. My life doesn't revolve around running and triathlons, but it is a major part and has been something that defines who I am as a person and how I work.
I'm taking ideas here for this post/layout from Katie, because I really like how she broke it down. And I sort-of just really like her.
JANUARY
I started off the new year with a new friend (introduced to each other by Beth) and could not be any happier that she and her husband are in my life. I absolutely love and adore Heather and all that she is to me. This is also the month that I began my base building for IM NYC. It started slow, but I was so happy to be getting into it.
FEBRUARY
More of the same. One thing I very much enjoyed last year was getting closer to my coworkers. I formed friendships and bonds that are continuing to get stronger and I am so happy that I work in a school where I love the people who I am surrounded by day after day.
MARCH
Swim season ended and lacrosse soon began. I had a fresh group of girls and had a great time getting to know them.
APRIL
I did something for me and went to England to visit an old coworker with another coworker. It was the best spur of the moment decision and I am so happy I went through with it. It was just what I needed to clear my head over spring break.
MAY
Training picked up, and Heather came along for a lot of it. We did a crazy bike ride in PA (where she got lost) and then both raced our first triathlons of the season in Red Bank, NJ and for the first time ever I took 1st in my AG and had a break through on my run. It was a day I was proud of.
JUNE
The end of the school year left me with mixed feelings, but I was happy for the sunshine and warmer days. Heather and I (and our families) ventured up to New Hampshire for the Mooseman 70.3 and were miserable. Although I had a swim PR, and a MAJOR breakthrough on my run I will never do that race again. It is also the time I met Anabel, who is such an inspiring woman. I only got to know her a few short hours, but in those hours I was already upset knowing she lives on the other side of America.
JULY
I didn't know my body could endure as much as I had put it through, but it was still going strong. The summer months are hot in NJ and I was sweating more than I ever had in my life. I loved the feeling of accomplishment after a hard training session and couldn't wait to go to sleep and do it all over again the next day. Also, not working made for all this to be a bit easier.
AUGUST
I surprised myself and many of those around me when I took 4th in my AG in IM NYC. It was my debut race, but certainly won't be my last. Heather, Christine, and Heather's family (along with my whole crew) came to support me and I cried tears of joy upon crossing the finish line. I never for a moment since signing up for the race in June 2011 doubted that I may not finish the race, but never did I imagine the results that came in finishing. Pride, joy, and happiness are just a few words I could use to sum up my entire Ironman experience.
SEPTEMBER
I got older and ran a muddy race to guide me into 27. It was fun. The school year started and I enjoyed meeting a new batch of 96 kids, but did not enjoy having to travel between two high schools to do so (still doing that at present). It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. My sister got married, and is the first in the clan of girls to do so. It was a BLAST, and so nice to see so many close family friends from my father's side. If I could relive that day over and over again I would. I'd also write a better maid of honor speech.
OCTOBER
I ran another muddy race (Tough Mudder) and had more fun than I EVER thought I would. I continued to enjoy the solace that comes with training, but found that no matter how early I went to bed I could never get enough sleep. Reality struck : I was majorly overtrained. Then Sandy devastated the East Coast.
NOVEMBER
Lots of dealing with the aftermath of Sandy and preparing myself for some time off of training after one last race. I ended up surprising myself yet again at the Trenton half marathon and was happy to end my racing season on a great note. Swim season started and I'm trying not to let it take over my life as much as I did last year. It's nice to see those kids more. Thanksgiving was superb.
DECEMBER
December has been great, but it too has gone by very fast. Especially this winter break. I began training again on a regimented schedule December 3rd and am now using Training Peaks with Chris. It is great, but I know it's going to be kicking my A rather soon as Chris can give me more detailed workouts specific to my zones and paces. I'm already feeling the burn on some of my 'bucket' trainer rides (Chris told me to bring a bucket as I will feel the need to puke, I can now say after two rides that he is right). My training started off slow, pace wise, but by the end of this month I can already see myself getting faster in the water and in my running. I just need to get my HR back down a little on my runs and I'll be golden. I'll be inside for the better part of the next 3 months on my bike because I bitterly loathe the cold weather.
To say that I am happy for everything I did in sport this year would be a gross understatement. I am ecstatic. I NEVER imagined a day where I would see me running a 7:xx pace in a training run (unless it was on the track) or in an Olympic distance tri. I smashed my half marathon time to pieces and upheld that time in November when I was telling myself it was all a fluke. Although I know the long road ahead of me to IM Lake Placid in July, I am excited and ready for it. I truly love the training load that comes with IM and the solitude it gives me in the early mornings and long hours on the bike. I just really really hope that this winter is not as bad as people are predicting so that I can be outside more like I was fortunate enough to do last year.
Without sounding so Debbie Downer, there were certainly great things that came out of 2012. I learned, and continue to learn, a lot about myself and that's one thing I will always be grateful for. I grew professionally and had a much better year teaching last year (early part of 2011 included). A lot of what I can reflect on and be very proud of comes from sport. My life doesn't revolve around running and triathlons, but it is a major part and has been something that defines who I am as a person and how I work.
I'm taking ideas here for this post/layout from Katie, because I really like how she broke it down. And I sort-of just really like her.
JANUARY
I started off the new year with a new friend (introduced to each other by Beth) and could not be any happier that she and her husband are in my life. I absolutely love and adore Heather and all that she is to me. This is also the month that I began my base building for IM NYC. It started slow, but I was so happy to be getting into it.
 |
| NYE |
FEBRUARY
More of the same. One thing I very much enjoyed last year was getting closer to my coworkers. I formed friendships and bonds that are continuing to get stronger and I am so happy that I work in a school where I love the people who I am surrounded by day after day.
 |
 |
| Staff basketball game |
MARCH
Swim season ended and lacrosse soon began. I had a fresh group of girls and had a great time getting to know them.
 |
| From one of my freshman lax kids |
I did something for me and went to England to visit an old coworker with another coworker. It was the best spur of the moment decision and I am so happy I went through with it. It was just what I needed to clear my head over spring break.
 |
| Cambridge |
 |
| London |
MAY
Training picked up, and Heather came along for a lot of it. We did a crazy bike ride in PA (where she got lost) and then both raced our first triathlons of the season in Red Bank, NJ and for the first time ever I took 1st in my AG and had a break through on my run. It was a day I was proud of.
 |
| Red Bank Olympic |
JUNE
The end of the school year left me with mixed feelings, but I was happy for the sunshine and warmer days. Heather and I (and our families) ventured up to New Hampshire for the Mooseman 70.3 and were miserable. Although I had a swim PR, and a MAJOR breakthrough on my run I will never do that race again. It is also the time I met Anabel, who is such an inspiring woman. I only got to know her a few short hours, but in those hours I was already upset knowing she lives on the other side of America.
 |
| Heather & Anabel |
JULY
I didn't know my body could endure as much as I had put it through, but it was still going strong. The summer months are hot in NJ and I was sweating more than I ever had in my life. I loved the feeling of accomplishment after a hard training session and couldn't wait to go to sleep and do it all over again the next day. Also, not working made for all this to be a bit easier.
 |
| Sweat puddle |
AUGUST
I surprised myself and many of those around me when I took 4th in my AG in IM NYC. It was my debut race, but certainly won't be my last. Heather, Christine, and Heather's family (along with my whole crew) came to support me and I cried tears of joy upon crossing the finish line. I never for a moment since signing up for the race in June 2011 doubted that I may not finish the race, but never did I imagine the results that came in finishing. Pride, joy, and happiness are just a few words I could use to sum up my entire Ironman experience.
 |
| Part of my sister clan |
 |
| Heather's family + Christine |
SEPTEMBER
I got older and ran a muddy race to guide me into 27. It was fun. The school year started and I enjoyed meeting a new batch of 96 kids, but did not enjoy having to travel between two high schools to do so (still doing that at present). It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. My sister got married, and is the first in the clan of girls to do so. It was a BLAST, and so nice to see so many close family friends from my father's side. If I could relive that day over and over again I would. I'd also write a better maid of honor speech.
I ran another muddy race (Tough Mudder) and had more fun than I EVER thought I would. I continued to enjoy the solace that comes with training, but found that no matter how early I went to bed I could never get enough sleep. Reality struck : I was majorly overtrained. Then Sandy devastated the East Coast.
Lots of dealing with the aftermath of Sandy and preparing myself for some time off of training after one last race. I ended up surprising myself yet again at the Trenton half marathon and was happy to end my racing season on a great note. Swim season started and I'm trying not to let it take over my life as much as I did last year. It's nice to see those kids more. Thanksgiving was superb.
 |
| Swim coaches |
DECEMBER
December has been great, but it too has gone by very fast. Especially this winter break. I began training again on a regimented schedule December 3rd and am now using Training Peaks with Chris. It is great, but I know it's going to be kicking my A rather soon as Chris can give me more detailed workouts specific to my zones and paces. I'm already feeling the burn on some of my 'bucket' trainer rides (Chris told me to bring a bucket as I will feel the need to puke, I can now say after two rides that he is right). My training started off slow, pace wise, but by the end of this month I can already see myself getting faster in the water and in my running. I just need to get my HR back down a little on my runs and I'll be golden. I'll be inside for the better part of the next 3 months on my bike because I bitterly loathe the cold weather.
To say that I am happy for everything I did in sport this year would be a gross understatement. I am ecstatic. I NEVER imagined a day where I would see me running a 7:xx pace in a training run (unless it was on the track) or in an Olympic distance tri. I smashed my half marathon time to pieces and upheld that time in November when I was telling myself it was all a fluke. Although I know the long road ahead of me to IM Lake Placid in July, I am excited and ready for it. I truly love the training load that comes with IM and the solitude it gives me in the early mornings and long hours on the bike. I just really really hope that this winter is not as bad as people are predicting so that I can be outside more like I was fortunate enough to do last year.
