1. BOSTON MARATHON - Ok, so I already devoted a blog to the before and after of this event, but it's the BOSTON MARATHON! And the great news is - I get to do it again this April! This time, I have a new treadmill (thanks, Honey) and have already started the year running more and training somewhat properly. Those long runs on the weekend are killer! I'm pumped, I'm psyched and ready to set a PR! More on that later! Here's a pic from last year's marathon - love the jacket!!!! Can't wait to see what they have for colors this year! What a girlie-girl thing to say! Ha! I wouldn't really consider myself that way, but sometimes the thoughts just come from somewhere deep inside....
2. MOUNT RUSHMORE - Early last summer, hubby and I took a road trip cross country and even went into western Canada! We tend to do crazy things like that from time to time - it is our third road trip across the U.S. We only have two states to explore and we can say that we have actually been to all of the lower 48. Michigan and Oklahoma - here we come!! We have seen so many interesting things, spent many hours listening to books on tape, popping almonds and M&Ms while riding for miles and miles, and randomly finding hotels and towns that are become our hidden treasures! (i.e. St. Paul, Minnesota) Last year, our road trip took us en route to Mount Rushmore in....do you know? I actually didn't - but it is in Keystone, South Dakota. Up a long hill. On a mountain. Actually, I thought the heads of our famous Presidents were a little smaller than expected. Way cool though. Take a look...
3. THE ONE, THE ONLY....TONY HORTON!! - Yes, folks...one of my heros is real! And nice! And really nice! Tony Horton a.k.a. P90X geru came to Washington, D.C. in July to be the host of the National Press Club's annual 5k race. He not only inspired people to come out and run, he actually ran the race as well and stuck around to pass out the awards and prizes at the post-award ceremony. Let me first say that the National Press Club put together a kick-ass event! It was well organized, had awesome prizes (both for the winners and raffle opportunities) and had a great sit-down spread after the event! Of course, Tony Horton was the icing on the cake. Yes, he really is buff in person and totally down to earth. I not only had the chance to meet him, I also won an award for my age division, so I had the opportunity to hug him twice. Yay me!!! Hubby and I are still huge P90X fans and spend time with Tony in the privacy of our basement most days. Can't wait for the new P90X program to roll out - looks like it may happen this spring! Woooo! "Tone" and I are hanging out here for you to see....think we look kinda cute together.... :)
4. AUGUST IN MAINE - So my favorite niece and running partner, Amanda, met her Prince Charming, a.k.a. Nate, this past year - actually on New Year's Eve, 2009. She fell in love, got married and had her first son, Anderson on January 2, 2011. Whew! What a mind-blowing, head-spinning year for her! She is so happy though...and that makes me so happy. How does this relate to August in Maine? I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids at her wedding! As her wedding was at the end of the month and I had to be there at the beginning to run in Joan Benoit's Beach to Beach 10k road race, (Joan Benoit, I bow to you!!!) hubby and I decided to just stay in Maine for most of the month. Maine is my home state and most of my family and friends are there, so we had much visiting to do. However, we did decide to rent a cabin in a couple of different locations while we were there. It was really an awesome month - we may just do it again this summer. And, of course, the Pup went with us. He goes with us most places, unless we have to fly or go to places that don't allow our four-legged friends - shame on them. So, the month was an fly-by-your-seat adventure, but we really had a great time. Pup loves vacationing - he chased birds, tried to bite the ocean waves and fell into deep slumber with the sounds of the sea and the smell of the water coming through our windows each night. Come to think of it, so did we. LOVE THE OCEAN. MISS THE OCEAN. PLAN TO LIVE BY THE OCEAN AGAIN SOON. Period. End of discussion.
Amanda and Nate were married outside at a gorgeous B&B in Greenville, Maine and had an absolutely beautiful and perfect day. The bride was stunning, the groom was handsome and the man who married them was HOT! He was also hubby. No, he is not a priest or event a justice of the peace, but he performed most of the ceremony, except for the crucial parts, so it would all be legitimate. It's all good! Here's another picture to celebrate the day and the new life of this special couple. Brian and I named them the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick...and it has stuck.
My running suffered a little this year - I only logged about 600 miles. My goal was double that. I was sans a treadmill and we had the snowmaggedon of 2010, so it limited my running for the first few months. I was, however, able to run TWO marathons this year - Boston, as you now know, and the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. That now makes a total of 4 marathons for me. Woo! I also ran other races, including a half marathon at night in Disney. This race is worth mentioning for two reasons - One, we started the race at 10 p.m. and ran through all the parks, ending in Epcot with a wine and food tasting. AWESOME! Two, hubby ran his first half! He rocked it! It was a proud moment for a runner, when you are able to convince your spouse to run 13.1 miles in the dark and for fun. The first thing he said when he crossed the line was, "Don't ever ask me to run a marathon." Then he experienced runner's high, forgot about the pain, and has decided to try to run a marathon this fall. Running fever is unbiased - it attacks all ages, sizes, and atheletic ability - regardless of gender and ethnicity. It was a fun weekend and an interesting race. This year, I have plans to run 50-50...it's a goal, it's a dream...but it's my goal and my dream and can be done! I'll be talking more about this in a future post. :)
I so enjoyed the Virginia wineries this year. We spent many of our weekends at one winery or another, tasting, drinking, becoming members and buying more wine for our at-home usage and growing wine cellar. If you live in the area and haven't discovered these treasures, DO SO NOW! If you don't live here but want to come visit, DO IT! Virginia is becoming the east coast Napa Valley. It's gonna go places and gonna be big...the Governor said so. We have done our part of supporting the industry. We even have toyed with the idea of having our own vineyard and winery...it's in the early stages but it is a possibility.. SevenVinesWinery became an entity this year...more on THAT to come. Shhhhhhh.....for now.
Reese the Wonder Pup was as adorable as ever this year. That boy has brought a ton of laughs and much joy into my life. Who knew I was such a dog lover? I really have become one and it all started with the Pup. He has such a personality - he even has his own facebook page - Reese Prenda - go be his friend. You won't regret it. Is this not the cutest face you have ever seen??
Well, enough of the past - time to focus on the present and the new year ahead! I'm raising my glass of Noblesse Rouge from Rappahannock Cellars in Hume, VA (A must visit - their wine rocks!) while wearing my Nike running shoes and running outfit - matching, of course (girlie-girl strikes again!), and toasting the beginning of an exciting and unpredictable 2011! Salut!!!!
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