2010 Wrap-Up

2010 was not what I expected in any way, shape or form. Coming off of a monster ultra season in 2009 I thought I’d establish myself as a triathlete in 2010, which I didn’t. In fact, I DNFed my only tri of the year. It was my first ever DNF. I was in rehab from December 2009 until September 2010 trying to remedy a nasty back injury which meant that unlike all the racing I did in 2009, I did-are you ready for this- ONE race. Well, three if you count a 10K and the GOTR 5K, but only one race longer than marathon distance and NO marathons (in contrast to last year’s 7). Although there was minimal racing in 2010, that’s not to say that I didn’t spend 2010 as an athlete.

For one, I spent 10 months rehabbing my back for about 6 hours a week to make my core strong and my body balanced. I missed some races, but I am a much stronger athlete and now trust that I have the strength to pursue the sport I love.  I also became a member of PowerBar Team Elite, which is awesome. It is so great to be supported by such an incredible company. I also think that trekking 100 miles through the Amazon should count for something. It wasn’t a race, but it was certainly a feat of endurance that, with its mission of educating, inspiring and empowering, meant so much to so many.

i2P Team post-expedition in Brazil

There was also all the activity that I did that doesn’t get neatly sorted into an event: there was skiing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Utah.

Smiles on the Deer Valley slopes. Park City, Utah.

I got to hike and trail run all over the place including Utah, Montana, and good ‘ole western PA.

Bozeman, MT

Laurel Highlands, PA

I was also lucky enough to run with a friend who started as a blog reader while visiting San Antonio. It seems as though instead of 2010 being about events, it was about experiences and I had a lot of fun being active with a lot of great people.

I also got to travel a ton- more than I think I realized I would. In 2010 I spent time in Park City (x2), San Antonio, Montana (x2), Ottawa and Brazil.

Gorgeous Ottawa

When I passed my comprehensive exam I officially became a Ph.D. candidate and was recognized as being one of Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40.

Family at the 40 Under 40 Celebration

I lost my dear kitty after a tough battle with cancer but I also found an incredible man who loves me like I never knew I could be loved.

Still miss my gorgeous kitty

Completely in love with this man.

2010 had its ups and downs but in all I will look back on it fondly as a year that I really learned a lot about who I am and who I want to be.

Everyone keeps asking me what’s next. I have no idea. I couldn’t have imagined 2010 and I’m not sure I want to try to imagine 2011- the unknown is exciting. I know there will be highs and lows and that my time will be spread thin as I work on my dissertation. I hope to travel and race and I hope that I have great fun with good people.  I also wish you all the best as you run towards the starting line of 2011.