2009: A Year in Review

2009 was a year of highs and lows — all documented on the blog! It’s so much fun to look back at what I did, especially because from a fitness perspective, this was one of the most successful years of my life.

Overall, I’m very proud to have continued to succeed at a job I love, moved my blog to its own domain, marked three years of marriage with my lovey, helped him launch a blog, visited friends and family, traveled and continued my healthy lifestyle.

Indulge me, would you, in a look back? I’m highlighting the fitness achievements in red. Because they make me especially proud and happy.

January:

• Found a frog in my toilet AND discovered the mung bean
• Watched a friend run the Disney half marathon and (GULP!) signed up for the 2010 event!
• Made pink chicken and visited a now-favorite Vietnamese grocery
• Supported Lucas on his quest to begin homebrewing
• Completed my first 90-minute run
• Defended Brussels sprouts (they truly are one of my favorite foods)

February:

• Announced my would-be beauty pageant platform
• Wished for a Snuggie (keep reading!) and had fun with Google Images
• Ran 10 miles for the first time EVER!
• Got a sweet Valentine’s Day present from the dogs
• Revealed my “before” weight-loss picture and chopped my hair

March:

• Reviewed Making the Cut and shared my love of all things Jillian Michaels
• Completed my second sprint triathlon (this time, not getting lost) and gave up caffeine
• Had a very happy 29th birthday (posted a few days late!)
• Went on a beautiful date and proved that cleaning burns calories
• Watched an amazing movie about ethical eating

April:

• Had a life-changing trip to Chicago

May-July

• Took a break from blogging…Flickr reveals that I:
  • chopped my hair and did a triathlon at Walt Disney World, organized my pantry, hosted a visit from Mom, celebrated a friend’s birthday, took an amazing ride

August:

• Returned to blogging (in a big way — I posted almost every day that month!)
• Saw “Julie and Julia“
• Had a His ‘n’ Hers dream date and found a new candy treasure
• Learned that when you ralk, you’ve wun
• Shared my take on counting calories
• Attended the Healthy Living Summit in Boston with posts here here here and here.
• Reviewed P90X
• Shared my technique for making perfect tofu
• Survived a flat tire and showed off my tips for getting enough water
• Cried and shared an emotional post on why I love triathlon
• Made homemade bread for the first time
• Learned about sustainable food
• Had an AMAZING swim/run brick
• Ate around the nation in high heels with Caitlin and her adorable husband

September:

• Celebrated the season with my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of ’09!
• Found that grocery stores are like New Kids on the Block
• Vowed to never order takeout pizza again
• Failed at running 10 miles but succeeded at fun with friends
• Attended a very sweet Twitter event
• Finished my first 5K with lots of great bloggers
• Marked my 100-post anniversary
• Got my trampoline on
• Did my first double-digit run in six months
• Went indoor rock climbing
• Remember what it’s like to run in the Northeast and went to a “gorge”ous wedding

October:

• Traveled to Maine to spend time with family and posted here and here
• Fell in love…with chocolate tofu
• Shared my technique for cooking delicious yuca
• Found another frog and discovered the way NOT to diaper a toddler
• Got in a fight with my blender
• Ran with the blogging posse and showered at Starbucks
• Found out first-hand what dragon boat racing is all about
• Started feeling pain in my, um, area — a problem that would plague me for months
• Looked back at the wedding dress of my dreams
• Completed my first Olympic distance triathlon
• Volunteered at a beer festival
• Announced plans for a No Nonsense November

November:

• Posted my recipe for Pumpkin Bulgur Beer Bread (now known as Vulgar Bread)
• Tried kombucha for the first time
• Wrote an emotional love note to running, in light of my injury
• Announced Vegan Week, a partnership with the lovely Eating Journey
• Went on a hike with the husband and got ready for Vegan Week
• Sat back and watched as Vegan Week became an Internet sensation (click the link for ALL posts)

December:

• Got Stella, my Garmin Forerunner 305
• Made lemonade from lemons as I prepared for my first half marathon
• Completed my first half marathon!
• Found the best BBQ joint in Central Florida
• Shared my tips for meal planning
• Had a phenomenal day with the husband, all planned by him in secret
• Celebrated the holidays with some blogging buddies
• Changed up the blog look and fell into a cookie coma
• Cursed technology but celebrated an outstanding Christmas
• Exposed myself in a movement that’s sweeping the globe

I really enjoyed reading back through the last 12 months — it made me look forward to 2010 even more!

What are the highlights of 2009 in your own life?

Tagged as: Injury, Marriage, Pets, Race Recap, Recipes, Running, Silly Tater Tot, Travel, Triathlon