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2011 is the year I ran. Sure, I’ve run other times in my life.  I’d run around the bases in PE when we played softball. I would attempt to jog around the neighborhood in high school, only to start walking the minute I felt winded. I even started to run on purpose in the fall of 2010.

But 2011, I took running to a whole new level.

I did the math a few minutes ago. I participated in 15 races in 2011. If you would have told me I’d do that a few years ago, I would have laughed in your face! 15 races? Voluntarily? Without someone holding a gun to my head?

Old self: “You mean I will PAY to run in 15 different races?”  “A few of the races will be 6.2 miles?”  “You mean I’ll compete in a duathlon?”  “I’ll even place a few times in my age group?” “Are you sure you’ve got the right person?”

Me in spring of 2009.

Me in 2008

Me in 2008

This person would have never predicted 2011 and its impact.

At this point in my life, I was quite inactive. There are many more pictures like this I could post. Sure, I may not have been morbidly obese, but I was out of shape and dissatisfied with my appearance. If I was having a picture taken, I would make the person take it multiple times, hoping I would be caught at a better angle. I would get on the scale and be disappointed with what I read. However, I was convincing myself that I got a lot of exercise by walking around campus. I wasn’t going out of my way to do anything to change my situation.

At this point in my life, I would NOT have believed that I would make those positive changes that I did in 2011.

I would like to share a few pictures of some of my favorite moments in 2011

Jessica and I at our first race of 2011. The Heart & Soles 5K

Warrior Dash

Raceland Upper Elementary 5K

On the left, running in the Crescent City Classic

2 Mile BRASS June Dash

My first (and definitely not my last) duathlon

Second 10K of the year.. First race I ran with my dad

My first (and not the last!) bridge race. I remember a few years ago when we went to San Francisco, I refused to even walk across the Golden Gate bridge. I knew I would get too winded.

What it comes down to is that I am happier with my self and my body image more now than I ever have been. And there have been times in my life when I have weighed less than I do now. I feel confident and strong. And while I may not be at my peak, speed or distance wise, I know that I can continue the active lifestyle that truly began in 2011.

I look forward to starting 2012 right by continuing to be active and running as much as I can!