Open For Business 2014 : Photos and Words

Here we go….doing this one mainly with photos. My last week in Dec in So. Cal and my first week back, a mighty storm, and a hurting hip.

Just a few 2013 stats to state (and am very proud as I reread the list):
27 races (including 2 marathons and a few virtual races)
A triple race - 1mi/5k/half (a first)
A double race -  2mi/half (a first)
1 Fenway Spartan (first time)
1 - 11 mile trail race in VT (first time)
Total running mileage for 2013 - 1372 
Total biking miles - 225 and quite a few minutes planking, doing yoga, and tricep dips. 
A new job
New people came into my life, including a few surprises
Traveled alone (a first)
3 guests visited me in Nahant in the summer (SO fun!!)
Placed in 3 races!  1st, 2nd, AND a 3rd place AND got a trophy!!
Maine - 4 times and a visit to the Cape 2x. I do love Maine.
***On a low note….A heart breaking finish line stance at the Boston Marathon, waiting for Stu (brother), and ran 1 mile to find him near mile 25. I still hear the bomb.

Never would have thought in a million years at 51, I would have accomplished and/or experienced all of that!

 Thank you SK! Love this!

In no particular order……

Ready for So Cal weather….delightful! Strapless navy GAP maxi dress!

Santa Monica with Bob and guys from Austria.

Sam, a very dear friend of Auntie's….a former Marine and total smart guy (bug above!!!) Long Beach path.

8.25 mile run, she deserves a rocky road ice cream in a wafer cone.

 Fun maxi dress.

 Naples (Long Beach) and Santa Monica.

Make shift cemetery monument on Santa Monica Beach below. Heart breaking.

 

 Drinking on New Years eve BEFORE the guests arrive. Hmmmm…..had to make conversation with a rocket scientist (Bill, who has a fab wife, Marion, a nurse), and a master statistician, Dean who loves his cats. Artist Bob…Teacher Linda (a lot to discuss) and a few professors. I held my own but the white wine was yummy. I just smiled a lot:) Auntie M and I were totally goofy, but we miss "Dad" (RIP…..no more suffering and thanks for watching over me).

 Do I really have to leave and is that a mermaid with black hair??? About time!!

 Chilly Challenge finale for me!

 "Oh no, here she goes with the selfie!"

 Fun in the snow Jan 3rd. No school!! Gina's son Ryan and friend Matt. They helped me shovel, but little did they know that I can move snow faster than them! I had to crack the whip though!



Gina with her pic stitch creation.  Ending here for now.
Next up, I'll deal with the specifics, not to mention my hip. Resting from hill repeats.