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December 31, 2007
A Year In Review
(I haven't posted anything about Mexico yet, as I haven't had time to upload any photos. Sorry! Also, I have a lot more to blog about, including my most recent wildlife encounter while running and a review of the documentary Grizzly Man, which I just watched for the first time.)
Thanks to Jen's original suggestion two years ago, it has become a tradition to recap my adventures at the end of the year. Here is my review of 2007:
January
During this month, I discovered a new athletic love, snowshoe running, and spent a lot of time exploring the trails of Yellowstone and the Teton Mountains this way. My sweetie and I traveled to southwestern Washington state to run the Capital Peaks Mega Fat Ass 34 Mile Race. I also ran the Gallatin Gallop 10K Snowshoe Race near Bozeman, MT.
February
I spent almost all of this month with my sweetie in Costa Rica, competing in The Coastal Challenge, a 6-day stage race, and subsequently relaxing on Costa Rican beaches.
March
I made a big mistake, and March became a bad running month for me. Well, it really started in February when I didn't recover enough after The Coastal Challenge. This lack of recovery spiraled into a myriad of running problems that endured for the next several months. While it took a long time to gain that perspective (and to recover from that mistake), I learned a lot about myself and my body.
April
During April, I began to listen to my body and rest, so I spent this month doing a lot of cross training. Through this cross training, I was still able to explore Yellowstone and the Teton Mountains wholeheartedly.
May
This month, the weather turned warm, the flowers bloomed, and the out-of-doors beckoned even more than usual. This month was spent playing! In addition to the familiar haunts, I made my first explorations into the Bridger Mountains near Bozeman, MT and the Big Hole Mountains near Victor, ID.
June
June started off with a bang when my sweetie and I spent a long weekend in the Beartooth Mountains, near Red Lodge, MT. This month, I pitifully ran the Old Gabe 25K Trail Race (after signing up and bailing on the 50K version) near Bozeman, MT and the Beartooth Hill Climb outside of Red Lodge, MT.
July
I started off July by irritating a nerve in my left foot, which put me out of running commission for a few weeks. At this point, it was becoming clear that, for a number of reasons, this wasn't going to be my season for running well, so I better just enjoy what I was doing. At the end of the month, I rallied to having a great time running the Wasatch Speedgoat 50K and hanging out at Snowbird Ski Resort in Utah with my mother.
August
In August, I had a fabulous time running the insane and spectacular Bridger Ridge Run in Bozeman, MT. For my birthday, my sweetie took me to the top of the very tall Middle Teton in the Teton Mountains. I also began another season of coaching high school cross country.
September
Over Labor Day weekend, I happily labored through my first 50 mile race at the Grand Teton Races near Driggs, ID. I also spent a lot of time coaching high school cross country and enjoying fall in Yellowstone, especially the rutting elk in my neighborhood.
October
October brought more coaching, as well as two late season climbs up tall mountains. My sweetie and I visited winter atop Mt. Holmes in Yellowstone and Static Peak in the Tetons.
November
After several months of mostly maintenance running, I turned up my training volume at the beginning of November for a 3 month push towards my first 100 mile race. Also, my sweetie and I spent Thanksgiving weekend running Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim at the Grand Canyon and exploring a little of Bryce Canyon National Park.
December
December involved training, training, and more training. I also spent Christmas with my family in Mexico.
Alright, I think that about covers this year's adventures! What a great year Happy New Year to everyone!
Posted by Meghan at December 31, 2007 6:23 PM
Comments
My goodness. When you look at it all in front of you it looks like you've been hella busy!!
Happy New Year and here's to a wonderful 08!!
Posted by: Audrey at January 1, 2008 6:51 AM
You've had a great year despite the injuries - way to bounce back, and to enjoy life throughout.
Hope your 2008 is equally as good, although without injury!
Posted by: backofpack at January 1, 2008 10:00 AM
one heck of a year Meghan, COngrats!!
Look forward to following you in 2008...umm even if you are on this non-user friendly blog--haha
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Bob Gentile at January 1, 2008 10:40 AM
This is YOUR year, Meghan!!
You're inispiring me. Wish I could be there in Feb for RR100. You've taken us on a great ride.
Posted by: JeffO at January 2, 2008 7:40 PM
What an adventurous year! Can't wait to read what's in store for next year!!!
PS Thanks for all the recent words of encouragement. It helps so much!
Posted by: Salty at January 2, 2008 7:59 PM
Audrey, Michelle, Bob, JeffO, and Salty- Thanks for saying all these nice things, y'all! Happy New Year to each of you as well!
Posted by: Meghan at January 2, 2008 10:11 PM
Happy New year, Meghan! Your love for wilderness is amazing, so does your knowledge.
Posted by: olga at January 4, 2008 1:22 PM