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:

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.

There are some weeks when I post everyday, and then there are weeks when I don’t post at all. I reckon this is one of those weeks. I just haven’t had anything exciting to blog about and quite honestly (and shamefully) I didn’t do any running.  I sat on my butt all week long with intentions everyday to run or do something at least, but those intentions never made it any further than staying mere intentions. I’m thinking next week I need to do some more vlogging, I miss vlogging and I know you all miss my torturous screaming. Who wouldn’t?

I thought in spirit of those abandoned intentions I’d post some races I’m contemplating – only a few of which are committed. And by committed I mean somewhat probably and mostly almost committed.

• May 30 – Tulsa Tough 30 mile bike rally*
• June  – Red White & Blue 5k
• July 18th  – Too Hot Too Handle 15k
• August 23rd – Hotter N Hell 100  bike rally*
• September 19th -  Tour De Fleurs 20k*
• September 27th – Heels & Hills Half Marathon
• October 18 – Columbus Half Marathon*
• October 10th – Hartford Full Marathon (only because I know David misses me so much he can hardly stand it)

Now I gotta run because the Martini Twins have some wine to drink and some bitches to pass.

I’m not a naturally disciplined or focused person. I’m easily distracted and frequently lose focus because my mind is all over the place. So I believe in goals, and therefore I must take part in getting them set. Maybe sometime before the year is over.

I’m going to make them simple, so far this is what I’ve got:

• Take care of my daughter, my husband, my marriage, and my family and love them as much as possible. Listen to them and enjoy them every day.
• Make alone time for myself everyday.
• Take care of myself by eating well, balancing my activities and my exercise and managing my stress.
• Say things like ‘cat eyeball’, ‘spanky pants’, ‘big circle gear’ and other Susanized cycling lingo to irritate my husband as much as possible.
• Drink plenty of wine.
• Not do anything stupid. Like run a marathon, for example.

I’ll be working on race goals this week and will post those soon. Suggestions are welcome.

Call me a scrooge, but I’m always glad when the holidays are over. Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with my family and friends, but I am always so ready to get back to regular schedule. Particularly one that does not involve shoveling cheese, fudge and wine into my mouth as I spread peace and goodwill to the world.

My race schedule for 2009 has neither peace or goodwill, because I have yet to put together a race schedule. Although, I am pretty sure, but not totally, that I will not run any marathons in 2009. I’ve run one or two marathons every year since 2004, but today, I’d rather poke my eye out than run another marathon. Bite me; I’m still traumatized by my Chicago Marathon experience. (Shut up David)

With that in mind, I’ve decided to focus on some shorter races – I’m thinking 1ks. Okay, maybe 5ks 10ks and some halves. And seriously focus on the no muffin top plan – that would be extra nice. I don’t know about you, but losing weight is impossible for me when I’m marathon training because I’m hungry all the time. And since I’m always hungry, I indulge myself with the justification that since I’m training for a marathon I deserve 4 pieces of chocolate cake for dessert. And I do. But not really. Sometimes the hungry gets so bad even the dog food smells good. And when I get up in the middle of the night to pee, I start thinking about leftovers in the fridge. See, marathons are unhealthy. I’m even hungry just thinking about marathon training. Must find cheese.

I know this about myself: I must have a plan and routine in order to workout. I’m lazy that way. So a plan is underway, it’s just not ready yet. But I’m open to suggestions.