the year in review, with a little help from the i-pod

i like to run. i think by now most everyone has figured that out. when i started running i had no idea it would turn into what it has become today. over the past few years running has helped me in many ways, including probably more than i even realize. ive lost over 20 pounds, made numerous friends, and just overall feel better than I have ever felt about myself.

“i run because i can. when i get tired, i remember those who cant run, what they would give to have this simple gift i take for granted, and i run harder for them… i know they would do the same for me.”

this past sunday was my last official race of 2009 and we had a blast! andrea and i dressed up cute and had jingle bells on our shoes, and i came in 9th and she came in 10th in our age division. we love it, obviously.

over this past year i ran 99.1 miles in 10 races. i ran my first marathon. i ran in the middle of the night with a headlamp. add in endless hours of training, two lost toenails, lots of money spent on race registrations, shoes, new clothes, post race beers, and i-tunes additions.
next years race total will be 127.5 miles in 12 races. i will run two marathons and run in the middle of the night with a headlamp. add in endless hours of training, probably a few more races just for fun, a LOT of money spent on registrations, a plane ticket to illinois (yeah chicago! 10/10/10), new shoes (yeah new balance), mmmm more beer, CHIPS!!! (only 23 more days… i.cant.WAIT!), and of course, more i-tunes additions.

speaking of i-tunes, ive decided i will end this year of running with a post of 29 things my i-pod has taught me over the year (taught me? well maybe just some of my favorite lyrics that kinda sum up different parts of what my life has been like this year. thats probably more accurate).

in no particular order....
"and we cant keep holding on, when all we need is some relief through these hard times”
“nothing lasts forever, no matter how it feels today”
“cuz i just need to be reminded who i am”
“your strength is the power that carried me through”
“you got a piece of me, and honestly, my life would suck without you”
“and now, as long as I can, im holding on with both hands, cuz forever i believe that theres nothing i could need but you”
“ive fallen down but ill rise above this”
“if i could see the future and how this plays out, i bet its better than where we are now, but after going through this its easier to see the reason why”
“and i have the courage like never before… id settled for less now im ready for more, this is my now”
“theres always gonna be another mountain, im always gonna wanna make it move, always gonna be an uphill battle sometimes im gonna have to lose, aint about how fast i get there, aint about whats waitin on the other side… its the climb”
“at a red light, in the sunshine, on a sunday nothing to say dont even try, some are comin home, some are leavin town”
“and you ask me what i want this year and ill try to make this kind and clear just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days”
“cuz maybe someday we’ll figure all this out”
“you make me dance like a fool, forget how to breathe, shine like gold, buzz like a bee, just the thought of you can drive me wild”
“so live like you mean it, love til you feel it, its all that we need in our lives… nothing is real til its gone”
“id sure hate to break down here”
"you better know that in the end its better to say too much than never to say what you need to say again”
“every mile a memory”
“i have the bravest heart that youve ever seen and youve never met anyone who is as positive as i am sometimes”
“i make it a point to thank the lord when i got him on the line, im feelin good and everything is fine”
“when you try your best but you dont succeed, when you get what you want but not what you need, when you feel so tired but you cant sleep, stuck in reverse… and the tears come streaming down your face, when you lose something you cant replace… lights will guide you home”
“well i never really liked it much, always left me all scraped up, never really saw it as a good thing… changes tides out on the sea, pulled your body close to me, first time i aint been afraid to fall, dont guess its so bad after all, gravity”
“this was never the way i planned, not my intention”
“life is like a gift they say, wrapped up for you everyday, open up and find a way to give some of your own… its just another ordinary miracle today”
“where will I be when i stop wondering why?”
“dont stop believin, hold on to that feelin”
"heal the world, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire human race. there are people dying if you care enough for the living, make a better place for you and for me"
"suddenly i see, this is what i want to be, suddenly i see, why the hell it means so much to me"
"yes id rather hurt than feel nothing at all"

so thats it for this year, and what a year it has been (to say the VERY least!). i am beyond excited for 2010... and am starting the year with a fun free 10k run on new years day in portland. happy holidays to everyone. stay hardcore.