A lot of people approach New Year's Eve by reflecting on the year that is almost at a close. I'm no different. 2011 most certainly had its share (or more!) of challenges, but I prefer to remember the positives. Here goes. Each category is not in any particular order.
Best Books I've Read
1. The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life - Amby Burfoot
2. Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand
3. Lucy - Laurence Gonzales
4. Damned - Chuck Palahniuk
5. 11/22/63 - Stephen King
6. Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero - Chris Matthews
7. The Paris Wife - Paula McLain
8. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - Rebecca Skloot
9. Shantaram - Gregory David Roberts
10. Swamplandia! - Karen Russell
11. Andy Warhol: Prince of Pop - Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
12. In the Garden of Beasts - Erik Larson
Best Races
1. Bloody Reindear Treadmill 5K - 2/6/11 - A quirky race with my buddies that featured wine instead of water and "potato chip" timing.
2. Shamrock Shuffle 8K - 4/10/11 - First race after healing a broken bone in my foot. Did it in walking boot and crossed the finish line hand in hand with my sister Kimmy (her first race)
3. Bunny Run 5K - 4/23/11 - Celebrated John's birthday and Easter weekend-- and llamas!
4. Soldier Field 10 Miler - 5/28/11 - Best race ever, no matter what.
5. Girls on the Run 5K - 6/4/11 - Ran it with my niece Alexis. Hot day!
6. Champions Run 5K - 8/6/11 - Not the smartest thing I ever did. Ran less than 48 hours after oral surgery
7. Race2Base - 9/11/11 - Very special place, very special date, very special people. Crossed the finish line with my niece Kaylee, which was the start of her progression as a runner
8. ZooRunRun 5K - 9/25/11 - My birthday run! Met Heena for the first time and enjoyed running side by side with my sister Teresa, who was recovering from an injury
9. Homecoming 5K - 10/23/11 - Came in third in my age group and had fun representing St. Francis College!
10. Monster Dash 5K - 10/29/11 - Ran as Freddy Krueger!
11. Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 5K - 11/20/11 - Always do well here, always run with my favorite people on a beautiful suburban course.
12. Santa Hustle 5K - 12/3/11 - The inaugural race of the Bloody Reindears!
Most Special Moments
1. Two early-year holidays - New Year's Eve with 7th Heaven and surprising John with a home-cooked dinner on Valentine's Day
2. Summer Fests throughout Chicagoland - Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Chicago and suburban neighborhoods while rocking out to our favorite band, 7th Heaven
3. 4th of July family trip - a long weekend in Gurnee, spending time in Great America and then Great Lakes Naval Base with my sisters and family.
4. Pittsburgh Trip in August - getting to reconnect with Chuck, Ted and Monica and see art and sports in a great little city.
5. Volunteering at Chicago Marathon - manning the 25-mile mark water station with my family was awesome
6. Boston Bruins win the Stanley Cup - not since 1972. Wow.
7. Being asked to be Alexis's confirmation sponsor
8. Getting two fantastic new co-workers on the CRM team-- Jason and Yvette
9. Presenting Alexis with a portrait for her 13th birthday
10. Spring/summer/fall at Great America with the family... water park and coasters, wine and Captain 'n Cokes.
11. My beautiful cats. Enjoying every moment with them.
12. Winter break - getting uninterrupted time to spend with John and my family and friends.
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