The Year in Review

The great thing about blogging is you can look back over the year and see all the big events and challenges that you’ve faced…it’s like writing a journal, except for all to read.

So, what happened in the life of Jessica during 2009??

January

I started training for my first marathon

February

I majorly doubted my ability to run said marathon

March

I ran my longest run ever - 14 miles!

I successfully ran 18 miles

I participated in the Heart Mini-Marathon in cold, windy, rainy weather!

April

I couldn't finish my 20 mile run due to IT Band Syndrome, which put a major kink into my marathon training!

I started physical therapy to try to get better enough to finish the marathon I had been training 4 months for!

May

I completed the Flying Pig Marathon - even while dealing with incredibly pain from IT Band Syndrome

I entered the NYC marathon lottery, but didn't end up getting in (which honestly didn't upset me much given all the things I did over the summer!)

I led a service project for my church as part of GO Cincinnati

I got my road bike fitted and I started contemplating the possibility of doing an Ironman

June

Eric and I rode in Ride Cincinnati - even with a broken spoke that Eric rigged up for me!

We went hiking at Hocking Hills

I signed up for my first Half Ironman!

I went to Vegas for my friend Cindy's bachelorette party

July

I completed my first Olympic Distance triathlon

I completed the Fit to Fight sprint triathlon - my first triathlon with a pool swim (crazy!)

My family went on vacation to Damascus, VA for some hiking with the dogs in tow (more vacation)

Eric and I rode the Annie Oakley ride, and we got lost on the way AND my spoke broke for the second time this summer!

I took my first ice bath on my 26th birthday

Eric got me an indoor trainer for my birthday!

August

Cindy and Kevin got married

I contemplated Ironman Louisville

I moved in to my new office at the high school

I completed Tri Indy (Oly distance) and had my first brush with road rash (not fun!)

Eric and I rode the Wright Wride

I completed a HALF IRONMAN- And registered for Ironman Louisville! (all in one day)

We did the Tour de Donut with Bill and Jennie and then Eric and I did our first Century Ride (all in one weekend!)

October

I went fishing with Eric and his family (and found out Brooke and Jess were pregnant..all in one day!)

I took Eric up to Chicago for his birthday present

I signed up for marathon #2 - Mercedes Benz Marathon

November

My mom and I completed the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon

Eric and I went to a Colts game with my parents (and Eric even sported a Colts jersey!)

I got fitted for a tri-bike and ordered a beautiful Trek 9.8 TTX Equinox (which should be arriving in early 2010)

December

Keifer and I celebrated Christmas with the family in Indy

Overall, I feel very accomplished for 2009.  I had a lot of firsts:

• First marathon
• First Olympic Distance Triathlon
• First Half Ironman Triathlon
• Signed up for first Ironman
• First Century Ride
• First real office at work

I’m pretty proud of myself!

Here’s hoping that 2010 is full of more firsts and accomplishments!