Run #12 of 12 for 2012

It's December! I've made it! I did it! I've completed my 12 runs in 2012 resolution made a year ago! Well, sort of...keep reading...

Here's the run down:
January: Diva Dash 5k
February: Mermaid Run 10k
March:Hot Chocolate 5k
April: Color Run 5k
May: Bay Bridge 5k
June: Rock n' Roll 13.1 Relay
July: Walking Dead Escape
August: Cupcake 26.2 Virtual Marathon
September: Torchlight San Diego 5k
October: So Cal Rugged Maniac

and....

December: Retro Run 5K

I channeled my inner Cyndi Lauper put together a little somethin' to look "retro" for my final run for 2012. I ran/walked with my partner the entire year, Eleina, and we bumped into my cousin Rowena who ran retro also!




It was a chilly morning with the fog burning away slowly as the crowds gathered at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Everyone was dressed up! It was great people-watching before the run. The music was playing and I was definitely feeling it! The songs that were playing brought me back to elementary school, haha!  

This "run" I walked the entire time! I didn't have the energy to run. I felt too "heavy" to run. This is how I've felt for the last few "runs" of my resolution.  Although I made it to the end of 2012 sticking to my resolution, it was done half-assed. I didn't really commit to the "running" and I'm beating myself up in my head about it. Along with the weight I've gained this year, I feel like my 2012 resolution was not completely accomplished. 

Despite all this, I did have fun with my 12 runs/walks of 2012! The Rugged Maniac pushed me to my limits, the Walking Dead Escape made me pee in my pants, the Hot Chocolate Run  finished perfect with warm chocolate on that very cold morning, the Rock and Roll was an definitely a "must" runners experience, and the Color Run was just plain AWESOME! All the run/walks I did were all very unique and I had a great time at all of them! 

One of the most memorable aspects of this year was the support and camaraderie that goes along with these running/walking events. At each of these events you have expert runners who use each run to beat their own personal running times and you have the other end of the spectrum of first-timers who are walking for fun. Either way, all the people who participate are very supportive of all capabilities. I recall the steep mountain I was climbing at the Rugged Maniac and these "Marine-types" and "triathalon-looking women" were passing us by and saying to us "Keep going girls! You can do it! You're almost there!". That was just super awesome to me! It was a great feeling to have those words of encouragement from strangers when in my head I was trying to convince myself to give up. 

I want to thank all those who participated in these events with me this year! Joyce, Liliana, Tara, and Sher in the Diva Dash! Mikey at the Hot Chocolate Run, Sher and Tara at the Color Run, Jonae at the Bay Bridge 5k, Liliana and Ernesto at the Rock and Roll, Garcia Bros. Jelo and DJ at the Torchlight 5k, Rowena at the Retro Run, AND most especially and thankfully to my dear friend Eleina who did EVERY RUN with me this year! She pushed me and kept me dedicated to my resolution. I don't think I would've stuck to it without my "accountability partner"! Thank you Eleina for putting up with my crazy idea of the 12 runs in 2012! I really appreciate your support and being there this entire year!
My accountability partner, Eleina!
So, I'm taking the lessons learned from 2012 and coming to these conclusions:
  • Resolutions are dynamic - they may change as the year progresses. As we change and grow as individuals, you have to allow our resolutions to change and grown with you. 
  • The support of people around you is power. Without the support and encouragement of my great friends and family, and even those strangers along all the routes, I would not have been able to accomplish all 12 run/walks.
  • Live life! Push yourself! Make yourself do things you never would have thought you would! You'll be surprised what you can do!
For 2013, my resolutions are:
  • To lead by example and commit to the Cupcake 26.2 Virtual Marathon I started in August 2012.
  • Eat healthier, not only for me but for my entire family. 
  • Get myself back to a healthier weight to live a better and longer life for my kids!
Cheers to the new year! May 2013 being a happier, healthier, better you!