A Look Back Over 2011

As I've mentioned previously, 2011 was one of the best years yet.  And what kind of blogger would I be if I didn't recap the crap out of it?

January

I rang in the new year with a guy I'd know for a few weeks.

I then Santa surprised me with a trip down to visit Jenn in Houston.  We cheered on Green Bay to a playoff victory....

Went for a long run in shorty mc-short-short shorts.....

....and piano barred it up in cutesy dresses (yes in January).

Upon my arrival home from Houston I spent the next 6 days cramming for the GRE. FUNSIES!

February

My boys won the Superbowl, and I still have a permagrin because of it.

March

I tackled the Irishman challenge--5m, 5k, and 1 mile races. It was cold. And painfully windy. And the Guinness I drank in between the 5m and 5k caused me to run my first ever buzzed race!

Speaking of Guinness.... I celebrated my favorite holiday the best way I know how. 

And then promptly ditched out on the 20 miler I had scheduled for the next day.  Oopsies.

April

I ran my coldest/windiest/smartest race and was rewarded with a PR for my efforts.

My parents came and were uber paparazzi/cheering crew along the route.  It was amazing.

I got my acceptance in to grad school for Library and Information Science at the University of Alabama.  ROLL TIDE ROLL!

May 

I ran my first ever 10k, after vowing to never do one.

I surprised myself with a better than expected race time, and a new fave race distance.

Booty shorts FTW!

And my photog bff Kathryn took amazing pics of me.

Channeling my inner Zooey Deschanel obvs.

Fargo marathon marked another sub-4 flop.

June

I spent a weekend in the cities with my bff Sheana.

I proved that I can't take more than one cutesy photo in a row.   My bad.

And we found a Germanfest.

July

My favorite little man came to South Dakota to visit.

And I didn't want to let him go back home to Texas. :(

And after declaring my love for the 10k distance, I declared my intense hatred for attempting it in 95% humidity. Guys.. I can SWIM a 10k uber fast. ;)

August

I raced my only 5k of the year and PR'd. I was bummed because the course was short, and it would've still been a PR (obviously by a lesser margin) if it was accurate.

And I made my first trip to Tuscaloosa, AL for grad school orientation. I almost melted. Alabama in August is no joke kids.

September

I had major PR plans for the Sioux Falls half and those went out the window due to IT band issues. I finished anyway, marking my 7th consecutive year of running it.

October

I traveled to the cities to spectate the Twin Cities Marathon and meet the super sweet and speedy Susan!

She brought me this sweet shirt, and even ran slow with me. And to thank her, I almost busted my skull on the run.  Oy.

And she destroyed her race. Obvs.

I tried to redeem my fall half marathon failure in Fargo, only to learn a very valuable lesson:  food poisoning is not proper pre-race protocol.  But beyond that, it was a super fun weekend with Megan!

November

Running besties reunion in Philly!

If one of us poops, we all poop!*

  *Glad we decided that before the race.

Happiest I've ever looked after running 25 miles.

<3

Marathon #4 is complete.  TEAM AWESOME.

December

I celebrated my 28th birthday with a giant lunchtime birthday marg.

I contemplated buying this hat for Bama game days.....

And after a long day of shopping, I walked away with this little buddy.

After shopping it was time to refuel again with my favorite gals.

And to stick my mouth on all of the cotton candy. It's mah birfday, I do whad i whant!

3 of the reasons my birthday was the best:  Jenn+Megan+FOOD

Cotton candy feather plume FTmfW.

And I rang in the new year with a new friend from 2011.....

and that one guy I started the year with.

<3

I don't know how 2012 could get any better, but I'm willing to make a go at it!