Runner Susan

2009 & 2010

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2009: I refer to it as the year micro-blogging took over the world. I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook and Twitter, I love the instant gratification and yet it’s the fast food of blogging. And in 2009, I ate the fast food and didn’t give very good blog. I also had a love-hate and an I’m-sick-of-being-injured affair with running – I only ran 297.77 miles for the entire year. I can’t remember a year when I ran so few – I only raced one half-marathon and only a handful of 5ks.

2009 wasn’t totally bad, let’s recap the Runner Susany goodness:

  • I meet my friend, Michelle, and we’ve been inseparable ever since – and so was born the Martini Twins. She came into my life at the perfect time, and I’m grateful for her friendship and the fun she brings into my life.
  • I learned how to ride my bike. I learned how to ride my bike on the ROLLERS. I learned how to ride my bike on the rollers and in the closet. I still impress myself with this feat. Who doesn’t miss the roller videos or the paper plates?
  • I participated in my first bike rally and triathlon and I discovered the transition to the dark side isn’t as dark as I thought it would be – well, except for the swimming part – it still continues to be a dark abyss.
  • The Chef and I had the most fabulous and romantic vacation in Napa where the Chef and I also got to meet and ride with two of my favorite people, Pamela and Juls. I look forward to seeing them again this year.
  • I was also fortunate enough to have my SECOND meet up with the Toasts. How many of you can say that? Just consider me special.
  • Sister Runner Amy, my brother and I surprised my mother with the Birthday party of the year. It’s not easy to surprise her, she’s wise to all we do. Mothers are like that.
  • I got to dress up as a German Beer Girl for a day.
  • Somewhere in 2009 my baby turned into a gorgeous teenager. She continually amazes me, I’m so proud to be her mother – and yet, terrified to have a gorgeous teenage daughter. Where’s my big stick?
  • I had a last minute meet up with my high school friend, Rachel, and her family before Christmas, it was a wonderful surprise to see them.
  • Celebrated the new year a little early with my Chef in New Orleans! Anything goes there, Internet People. Anything.
  • I was still in my 30s. I turn 40 in 2010 and if I recall, when I was Kenza’s age I thought turning forty meant that dropping dead at any moment was an appropriate thing to do. Is it too late for me to change my mind? But wow, 40.

So far, 2010 is predicting to be my best year for running yet. Next weekend my friend, Marta, and I are going to run the Jiggle Butt 5k with my friends Cindy and Deana and at the end of this month my blog buddy, Jeanne of Not Born To Run fame, is coming to Dallas and we’ll run our first half-marathon of the year together. I’m so excited to meet her!  So January 2010 already beats 2009. Go me!

And since we are speaking of Ms. Not Born to Run (who really can and does run), you’ll never believe this – guess who called me a few weeks ago? Called me on the phone – the. real. live. phone.

Play with me for a moment.

“Ring, ring – hello.”

“Hi Susan, my name is cchrzzz mczzzdozzzl from buzzzss to runz” (Static)

“Huh, I’m sorry did you say not born to run, is this Jeanne? are you calling about your trip? I think our connection is bad” (Jeanne sounds awfully manly?)

“Let me call yozzzzz baczzz from my offfizzz.”

“Ring, ring – hello.”

“Hi Susan, This is Chris McDougall, You might have heard of my book Born to Run. I’m looking for someone to design a web site for me.”

“Uhhhh, holy crap, YES I KNOW YOUR BOOK. You are the most famous runner dude in the entire world and I’m talking to you on my cell phone!!!!! I will make you the best web site EVER!”

Okay, so maybe that last part didn’t really happen like that, but you get the idea: Mr. Born to Run, Christopher McDougall, called me on the phone and SRA and I are making him a web site. The world’s greatest web site, too.

I know what you’re thinking “Wow, Runner Susan, you’re famous if Chris McDougall is reading your blog!” I wish, but sadly no, he was a referral from another really cool site we did, and if I were Fisher Susan, I’d be all excited too. But we can all pretend I’m famous by association – because I’m making Christopher McDougall a spanktacular new web site. Did I mention that already? ChrisMcDougall.com – it’s still a work in progress, but what do you think? Now go and buy his book.

His book is changing the way I think about running, and working with him on his site is a huge inspiration.  And don’t for a second think RS hasn’t taken full advantage of the situation by probing Mr. Born to Run with every question possible about running – and he’s been super nice to answer them all. I have every intention to make 2010 my best year for running yet! And you know what? I’m born to run. How about that? Living proof:

Photo on 2010-01-03 at 13.55

Running more isn’t my only goal in 2010:

  • I’d like to complete a 1/2 Ironman
  • PR in a marathon or two
  • PR in a half marathon
  • Run 1000 miles over the year
  • Swim like I am not going to die the moment I touch water
  • Be happy with my body weight
  • Have more fun
  • Be a more forgiving person
  • Meet new friends
  • Be the best wife I can be
  • Be the best friend I can be
  • Be the best mother I can be
  • Cook food that tastes like food
  • Blog like I mean it,
  • and if I could own a pair of Christian Louboutin shoes, my life would be complete (just don’t tell Christopher).

There you have it, Internet People – it’s been one crazy year and I look forward to another with you in 2010. Here are a few pictures from 2009, which you’ve probably already seen, but here for your viewing entertainment in case you have 3 minutes and 46 seconds to waste.

2009 from Runner Susan on Vimeo.

Comments

  4. Nice year in review post; nice list of goals; nice picture.

    FYI: I am not registered for Vineman. I’m not even on the wait list as it is too long to accept anymore perspective athletes. [my bad] However, I will try to come see YOU and 21st Century Mom though. I’ll bring YaYa too.

    Happy New Year!
    .-= Juls´s last blog ..Men, Men, and More Men =-.

  5. your Christian Louboutain link goes to the David Kinney’s page, could you give me the Louboutiain site? isn’t that the brand of shoes Jennifer Lopez sings about? 😀

  7. I’m doing the Jiggle Butt Run this weekend, too! A bunch of my cousins were supposed to do it, too, but I think the “arctic blast” is going to keep them away. I’m using it as the middle miles of my 16-miler since I live 6.5 miles away from UTA. Look for me – I’ll be the one in Longhorn gear who’s all sweaty and gross like I ran a 10K as a warmup (because I will have!).
    .-= txskatemom´s last blog ..Looking backward… and forward to 2010 Goals =-.

  8. Heh. You KNOW the link to the shoes was the first one I clicked on (or tried to). 🙂

    Sounds like a great year ahead, Susan. And congrats on the web gig.

  11. Very nice! And that’s why you have a blog; you couldn’t tell that great story on FB or Twitter. So exciting you get to design the website for Born to Run — I’ve heard great things about it and need to get a copy. Happy New Year!

  12. Runner Susan! Triathlons, teenager, new wonderful friend, a great 2009. I remember when you went from blogspot to wordpress. Was it a pain? After blogging 7 years my blog is an unorganized mess. Help! I need to update and organize. Oh and 40, yeah, wow. The day I turned 40 was tough but not since and I just turned 45. Wow.

  13. Lovely post Susan. I remember ‘The Big One’ – a fine website – and now you’re famous as the designer of ChrisMcDougall.com ! 2010 will be your big one in more ways than one. Some great goals there… a HIM!

    Oh yes, I can say I’ve met the Toasts. More than twice. So na na ne na na!

    And if Kenza brings home any dodgy looking boyfriends, just tell them you’re a good friend of Anton Chigurh.
    .-= Ewe the Dewd´s last blog ..Dad =-.

  14. And to think – I know you! And I’m in the world’s most fabulous year end slide show. I feel so special right now I’m not sure what to do with myself. And you know what else? At Vineman you are going to have a GREAT day out there because it’s in Sonoma and it’s beautiful and I will be out there, too! Good times. And we are going to go look at Sebastapol because I want you to move there so I can come see you all the time because I love you and I love Sebastapol so it will be perfect. – PERFECT!

    Happy New Year! And welcome to what I promise will be the best decade of your life.
    .-= 21stCenturyMom´s last blog ..Wrapping It All Up =-.

  15. This whole thing just filled me with happiness and love. 2010 rhymes with “start again”, by the way, so it seems like a good time to start writing just big fat silly posts every single day. You know…for me. haha!
    .-= mia´s last blog ..Perfect Afternoon =-.

  16. I was going to do the Jigglebutt Run but 16 degrees and getting up that early to drive to Arlington doesn’t sound appealing (especially since I am already sorta sick to begin with, nothing serious, just a sore throat and sniffles, oh and some sneezing…) I really wanted to do it cause I wanted the shirt!!! I will cheer you on from my warm bed!!

  17. wow. what a year. I LOVE your goals.

    but chris mcdougall really needs to stop running around impersonating me. i mean, really.

    i started to watch your slide show but it made me cry so i stopped.

    We are working on plane reservations! HONEST! we had to work round some issues with days off and bosses…etc.
    🙂
    .-= jeanne´s last blog ..Take Your Skirt Off, Cancel Your Manicure, and HTFU =-.

  18. Congrats on the Born to Run gig, how cool! I’ve been meaning to read that for awhile now. I will have to get on that!

    Happy 2010 I am sure it will be a good one for you!

  25. I agree, FB and Twitter have ruined my blogging. I am trying to get better!

    Love the recap. You always make me laugh! Enjoy your first half of the year. I just know that 2010 will be the best running year for you yet!

  26. OHMYGAAAWD!! Major major cool on the Chris MacDougall thing. I too have been sucked fully into the barefoot running/born to run thing. Love. It.

    Your goals, my dear, are completely achievable. You go!

  27. Just reading this…so nice to be included in your year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you. 🙂

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