"My suspicion is that the effects of running are no extraordinary at all, but quite ordinary. It is the other states, all other feelings, that are peculiar, for they are an abnegation of the way you and I are intended to feel. As runners, I think we reach directly back along the endless chain of history. We experience what we would have felt had we lived ten thousand years ago, eating fruits, nuts, and vegetables and keeping our hearts and lungs and muscles fit by constant movement."

-The Complete Book of Running by James Fixx

To-Do

I've officially begun composing my 2010 To-Do list. It is not, I repeat NOT a list of New Year's Resolutions. Resolutions are meant to be abandoned. To-Do lists are meant to be accomplished.

And this is quite a big year coming up.

In 2008 I learned to ride a bike. I learned about hand signals and helmets and how important it is to roll up your jeans so they don't get caught in your bike chain making you fall like an idiot.

In 2009 I learned to race. I learned about spandex and gel packs and after much trial and error, how to be competitive without losing all your friends. I rode my first Century Ride (100 miles) in May, my first Triathlon in July, and my first Duathlon in September.

In 2010 I want to refine. And believe me, there is plenty of room for that. I need to learn the proper way to run. A technique that both conserves energy and drastically reduces the chance for injury. I need to better understand nutrition-- which foods give energy and strength-- and devise some sort of realistic and satisfying meal plan. I want to not only become proficient at changing a flat bike tire, but also begin to understand the machine in its entirety and learn how to better take care of it.

But most importantly (and where much of the refinement comes in) I want to do all of this without losing sight of how much fun it is. The positive momentum, the building of strength, the accomplishment of goals... it's amazing. And awe-inspiring. But most importantly it is fun. More to come soon (including the list!)

2009 Totals

I apologize that this picture is ridiculously small but it's the best I could do!

These are my 2009 "Bike 2 Benefits" totals. It's a program through Minneapolis Metro Transit that encourages alternate ways of getting around such as ride sharing, public transportation, and last but definitely not least: commuting via bike.

From March (when the snow and ice melted enough for me to ride my bicycle) to December (when the snow came back) I logged my miles to and from work and to and from my Pilates classes. That's it. I didn't track my grocery runs. My pub runs. My training rides. My competitions. Nothing except work and pilates.

I logged 2,358 miles.

Saved an estimated 116 gallons of gas.

Reduced CO2 in the air by 2,302 lbs.

And reduced 97lbs of pollution from the air.

And the most amazing thing of all is that it really wasn't that hard. A few miles a day. That's all.

Whether through this program or Map My Ride I hope to log it all in 2010 and see how far I can get.

It's going to be a very good year!