Goodbye 2011 & Challenges

and hello to 1300 miles!  

I did it.  In the pouring/freezing rain.  But I did it!!!  

photo courtesy of Tucker

I did wait a little while to go out for my run because this is how the guys looked after their 14 miler this morning.

What looks like just a wet jacket, is really ice!

What are your goals for the 2012?   

I have a few in mind for myself. 

- remain active, healthy and injury free

- challenge myself 

- train for/complete a tri

- curb the swearing - Izzy is a little parrot 

A few ways to keep myself motivated to stay active - 

Resolution Run

 New Year's Day 5K

January Thaw 

in Belgrade, Maine (if you're in the area)

Freeze Your Thorns Off

Janathon

Winter 100 Challenge 

By riding my new (to me) bike - 

Like it?  Izzy surely does.  I just bought it via craigslist yesterday!  

Try to ignore the mess in the picture.   Now we just need a place for it to call home.  I vote the living room so I can bike and watch tv.  Ward votes bedroom.  

Just wait until I'm riding at 4:30 am right beside his head.  He'll change his mind quickly.  

AND 

host my very own January Challenge - the January Streak!  

Historically, January is the coldest month in Maine and let's be honest, it is incredibly hard to get outside and get your run on when all you want to do is curl up by the woodstove (or whatever heat source you have) with a cup of hot cocoa.  


I challenge you to run everyday in January, even if it's only a mile.  Especially on those days when you would think "it's too cold" and just show mother nature that whatever cold weather she throws your way, it's not going to stop you!  

Now, I don't want you to do anything dangerous.  I mean, the weather has dipped to -25F (or so) here in January of 2009, and I'm not so sure I'd want to run in that extreme cold or if it's even safe to run in those temps.  I would like to note that I did not run on that day in 2009 as I was 1 week from my c-section date - but Ward did.  He's a freak.  Also, think about the windchill too.  While the thermometer says one thing, the wind can absolutely make it far worse.  Just be safe!  

Prize?  It's in the works.  How lame is this?  I don't even have it ready yet.   I'm putting together a goodie collection of some of my favorite winter running gear along with some of my other favorites.  I will post pictures soon.  I promise.  

How to enter:

1.  Mandatory:  be a follower via GFC  and keep some type of running log proving you ran every day in the month of January 2012 to submit to me between the dates of February 1-4 at runningwiththegirls AT gmail DOT com.  

2.  Bonus Entry:  Take a picture of you in your winter gear, and a thermometer on the coldest day you ran in January and send it to me at the email above between February 1-4.  I want to see what defines "cold" for your area and what you're wearing this winter!  

The winner will be chosen at random using random.org and will be announced here on this blog on February 5th, 2012.  The winner will have 72 hours to respond via email.  If the original winner does not respond, I will choose a new winner on February 9th.