Day 1 - 13.1 miles

I started the first day of 2012 with a long run - 13. 1 miles. Steve and I stayed overnight in DC after celebrating New Year's Eve with Shawna, Jim, and Max. It was so great to have Shawna and Jim in town. I always enjoy our get togethers in Chicago and DC. When they come in town, it's like they bring all of Chicago with them which makes me very happy.

Background about Shawna and Jim Dillon - Both are from Northern Virginia but they live in Chicago. Shawna and I idolized Angela Bower (Who's the Boss) when we were little girls. Most people wanted to be Alyssa Milano's character but we dreamed of being Angela: high power, successful business women from the East Coast. Shawna and I also have a love for fashion and food. Our fashion idols are Jackie O and Kate Middleton. As for food.....we love it all. Just make sure it's large portions.

Jim is Shawna's hubby who is also a good friend and running buddy. Even though Steve and I don't train with Jim, we always like to hash out running ideas and strategies with each other. After Jim ran the Chicago Marathon this year, he scheduled a teleconference with Steve and me to discuss the play-by-play of his race. Steve and I took notes and we were eager to attack our marathon after our conversation. Jim has successfully completed 4 marathons and he is hungry for more. He will be running in Boston in the future. In the meantime, he is a dedicated Buffalo Bills fan. Both Shawna and Jim are great people - very bright, witty, thoughtful and fun friends! It was wonderful to ring in 2012 with the Dillons!

So I woke up this morning ready to start the year off with a long run. I couldn't have asked for a better day - sunny and 60s in January! I ran through the National Mall, Capital Hill, GW Pkwy, Arlington, and Georgetown. The best part of a long run or any run are the thoughts that run through my mind. Here are some of the best takeaways from my runs...

• I get the best ideas for work. (sales training exercises, sales analogies, how to deal with sales challenges)
• I am able to clear my mind and make decisions on things that I am debating. (how to handle a conflict with a friend, choosing an outfit to wear)
• I reminisce about fond memories (special times I've had with friends, reflect back on inspiring moments, the first time I ate a Sweet Mandy B cupcake)
• I let myself feel the emotions of stress, sadness, happiness (when people see me running, they might think I'm crazy because I may be laughing hysterically by myself or crying to myself)

When I run, it's one of the few times I am alone with my thoughts. It is also one of my favorite times of the day because it helps me map out my life. So on the first day of 2012, this is what I have mapped out so far....

• I'm getting married!!! I'm super excited to be Mrs. Trumpet! Steve makes me so happy. I am truly blessed and grateful to have him in my life. He is everything I wanted in a person....passionate about life, great partner in crime who helps me make good decisions, best running buddy, wonderful listener, and my best friend. I can't wait to celebrate our wedding day with our friends and family who mean so much to us. YAY!!
• I really want to blog this year. FOR REAL. It's been so hard to keep up with my blog but this year, I really want to. I remember Jason Cohen told me that he used to get so preoccupied about making the blog so perfect and content rich that it would discourage him from writing something simple. Finally he said, "Screw it. I'm just going to write my thoughts - no matter how brief, just to have it documented." I'm going to do the same.
• I want to set a PR in every race starting in Feb. I've taken a lot of time off since the Baltimore Marathon but now I'm back and I'm fired up to get going with the training. 2011 was a great racing year for me and Steve. We were able to accomplish a lot but now we want to move on to the next level.
• I would like to read at least one book a month --- I'm stealing this goal from Amy Magolan. She gave me this idea when we met up last week in Chicago. I thought it was a great goal to shoot for!
• I'd like to learn how to cook at least 10 new dishes this year. This is going to be tough as I am horrible in the kitchen.
• I'd like to send a letter to one friend each week. Not an email but a good ol' fashioned letter. My friend Kate Siemsen is the master at this. She always sends cards to her friends for no special reason...just because. I cherish the notes that she has sent me because they are always unexpected and a wonderful surprise to my day.
• Be less absent minded. I'm running a 1000 miles a minute sometimes which makes me do careless things.... For example, I locked us out of our house today. This is so typical Nancy. I need to break this habit of being careless because it really makes me look dumb.

I'm looking forward to a great 2012. Each year of my life has always been enriched by the wonderful people in my life. Thank you SO MUCH. I wish everyone continued happiness and success this year!!