As the year comes to an end, I though I would post a blog reflecting on both the past events of 2011 and the future of 2012!
2011 was quite a year for both my family and myself. Personally, it was a year that opened the door to many upcoming opportunities: I took my medical school qualifying exam, applied to medical school, received a promotion at work, and successfully ran my 1st marathon with my brother Vinny! However, the most important accomplishment of 2011 was the announcement of my mother’s Lymphoma remission! When reflecting back on this past year I find that perseverance, family and hope accurately define 2011. Thank you to everyone who was a presence in my life during the past year. To quote my wonderful grandfather, I feel that I am “richer than Bill Gates” for the love that I have in my family and friends.
And now, looking forward, on to 2012! I have a few things planned out, such as completing THE Boston Marathon and hopefully starting medical school in August (everyone knock on wood after reading this!), but what I love most about starting a new year is the feeling of the unknown since so much excitement comes through life’s surprises. That being said, those that know me understand that I am a woman who likes to control my own destiny: “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
This past week I enjoyed the 60 degree weather of Dallas and my actions reflected the above quote: preparing for the opportunity of a lifetime – the Boston Marathon! Santa was very generous to me this year and bought me a new pair of running shoes from Luke’s Locker in Dallas, TX. My new babies are the Brooks Women’s Glycerin 9. They are a blue/black neutral shoe that are a combination of my past 2 shoes (Nike Vomero and Asics Landryth). I went on 2 easy runs (3 miles each at 9 min/mile pace) and felt fantastic! I am going to really pick up the intensity in 2012, but will intermix in the beginning with a lot of yoga and strength training as to not aggravate my temperamental IT band.
Other than running outside along the Katy Trail in Dallas, I enjoyed a vinyasa yoga class at Dallas Yoga Center and went Go-Karting with my dad and brother (which does not technically fit into my training schedule, but boy did it make me sore!!!). I realized that this post has gotten a little long (Does Val ramble???) so I will save my marathon training schedule and strength training routine until next time. On that topic also, I am SO sorry for my infrequency in blogging, but as a New Years resolution to myself (and my running fans) I promise to blog at least once a week (probably on Sunday when I’m recovering from Saturday’s long run!).
For a quick fundraising update, I have SURPASSED by half-way point and have currently raised $2,638.00 (checks have not yet been entered into the CrowdRise website). I cannot tell you how EXCITED I am about this accomplishment and how lucky I feel to have people in my life who are so generous, especially around the holidays and my birthday (which is January 30th) :)
I love you all so much and I cannot wait to see what 2012 will bring into our lives.
Peace, Love and RUNNING
Valerie
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