My 2010 Year in Review

The term "time flies when you're having fun" definitely applied to me this past year and I can't believe 2010 is history. I decided to do a quick recap highlighting some of the main memories from each month and whatever else comes to mind.

1. January 1, 2010:  Joe Grant and I drove over to Bend, Oregon and ran the Badass 50k w/ some other friends and had a good time camping out in the badlands.
2. February- Took a road trip to run the trails on Orcas Island, WA and was blown away by the beauty up there! Met some great people in the process.
3. March-  Had a good race up at The Chuckanut Mountain 50k
4. April-  Found out the gender of our baby on Friday and won Peterson Ridge Rumble 60k the following day in Sisters, Oregon.  
5. May- Made a spontaneous road trip with Browning, Meissner, and Ashley Nordell to Reno, NV and I ended up winning and setting the course record at The Silver State 50k.
6. June-  4th place overall at Bighorn 100 and felt good about how I ran on a pretty rugged course.
7. July- Worked a camp a Mt. Hood for students w/ disabilities that changed the course of my career.  Raced to a 5th place at USATF 50-mile Championships at White River, WA.
8. August- Welcomed our baby girl Farah into the world at 9:53 pm on August 28th here in Portland, Oregon.  One of the greatest days of my entire life!  And we share the same birthday :-)
9. September- Witnessed my wife Erica fight her way through a nasty uterine infection so we could start our little happy family together.  She's such a good mom....I couldn't do any of this without her!
10. October- I ran a pretty good Portland Marathon on 10-10-10....but boy did it hurt!
11. November-  First time visiting Ashland, Oregon and ran Lithia Loop Trail Marathon.
12. December- Did some good snowshoeing, snowboarding, and visiting family and friends in the east introducing Farah to everyone.

To be honest this past year was one of the best years I have ever had on so many different levels.  I am so grateful to have had the opportunities to accomplish the aforementioned adventures.  Many of it would not be possible without such a strong and supportive wife and family.  Thank you Erica....I love you!  Also...thanks for the friends and training partners that accompany me and make me a better runner and person....you know who you are!  Thank you to my sponsors who make my life so much easier.  Inov-8, Udo's Oil, Living Harvest, Drymax Socks...I'm really proud to be representing such righteous companies.  Sometimes I need to pinch my cheek to see if I'm dreaming.  If 2011 is half as good as this past year I'll be a happy camper!

Happy New Year and thanks for reading!