2011: The Year of Firsts

I starting running in 2008. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, I ran A LOT of 5ks!! That’s all I did and yes, I got faster. I even took about 10 minutes off my time.

But in 2011, I accomplished some FIRSTS:

First 4 mile race

Polar Cap 4 miler

First 5 mile race

Delmar Dash 5 miler

First 15K race

Stockade-athon 15K

First half marathon

Naples Half Marathon

First destination race

Naples, Florida

First race in the rain

Lake George Half Marathon

First injury 😦

You might think that I did it in that order (because that would be logical.) This is the order:

First Half Marathon & first destination race (Jan 2011)
First 4 mile race (Feb 2011)
First 5 mile race (Apr 2011)
First race in the rain (Apr 2011)
First injury (Jun 2011)
First 15k race (Nov 2011)

Happy Running! What did you do for the first time in 2011?

15 thoughts on “2011: The Year of Firsts”

Well done on the firsts!
I ran my first (second & third) half marathons this year too.
I’ve also managed to acquire a comedy running tan this year – means I must have been out running much more this year!

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Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 9:52 am

Congrats – hope you have a good running year in 2012 too.

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I ran my second and third half marathons, ran consistantly until August. Spent more than a night (4) in the hospital due to a blood clot. Started blogging!!

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Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 9:53 am

Yay for blogging. Boo for the hospital. Hope you have a healthy year in 2012. Maybe I’ll see you at a race.

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Those are excellent accomplishments, and sure signs that you’re ramping it up! Sounds like “First Marathon” is basically inevitable. That much is sure 🙂

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Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 11:11 am

Thanks. I wouldn’t say “inevitable.” It’s still a slim “maybe.”

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That is an AMAZING list of firsts! Way to go! You must be super proud.

I ran my first 5k this year! Hopefully I will be able to follow in your footsteps! :o)

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Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 11:19 am

It starts with a 5k. I was shocked that I could run longer but you can. You just do it slower and persevere. it’s worth it. It took me awhile to figure that out. Good luck!

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For me, 2011 held my first half-marathon (I actually did two of them), the first time I had ever rode a metric century on a bike, and the first time I had ever swam 2 miles non-stop.

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Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 11:20 am

Congrats. Once you do one half, I think you get hooked. At least I did. I still haved tackled the bike & I’m sure I will never swim 2 miles or 1 mile. 🙂

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A duathlon!

And I ‘m not training for anything. I just like to keep my mileage up around 10.

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Darlene Cardillo | December 14, 2011 at 7:43 am

and a tri in 2012?

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You’ve had a great year Darlene and it’s been a pleasure following you this year. I admire you most for not giving up even with your injury.

Things I did this year for the first time? Ran my first 10 miler, trained for my first half marathon twice and DNF on it twice 🙂

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Darlene Cardillo | December 14, 2011 at 7:44 am

2012 will be your year! If not, then 2013. Love love love your photos!

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Helen Liz | December 13, 2011 at 8:47 am

Well done on the firsts!
I ran my first (second & third) half marathons this year too.
I’ve also managed to acquire a comedy running tan this year – means I must have been out running much more this year!

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- Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 9:52 am
  
  Congrats – hope you have a good running year in 2012 too.
  
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christa | December 13, 2011 at 9:32 am

I ran my second and third half marathons, ran consistantly until August. Spent more than a night (4) in the hospital due to a blood clot. Started blogging!!

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- Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 9:53 am
  
  Yay for blogging. Boo for the hospital. Hope you have a healthy year in 2012. Maybe I’ll see you at a race.
  
  LikeLike
  
herrsolera | December 13, 2011 at 11:09 am

Those are excellent accomplishments, and sure signs that you’re ramping it up! Sounds like “First Marathon” is basically inevitable. That much is sure 🙂

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- Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 11:11 am
  
  Thanks. I wouldn’t say “inevitable.” It’s still a slim “maybe.”
  
  LikeLike
  
Sam | December 13, 2011 at 11:14 am

That is an AMAZING list of firsts! Way to go! You must be super proud.

I ran my first 5k this year! Hopefully I will be able to follow in your footsteps! :o)

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- Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 11:19 am
  
  It starts with a 5k. I was shocked that I could run longer but you can. You just do it slower and persevere. it’s worth it. It took me awhile to figure that out. Good luck!
  
  LikeLike
  
mikebertie85 | December 13, 2011 at 11:14 am

For me, 2011 held my first half-marathon (I actually did two of them), the first time I had ever rode a metric century on a bike, and the first time I had ever swam 2 miles non-stop.

LikeLike

- Darlene Cardillo | December 13, 2011 at 11:20 am
  
  Congrats. Once you do one half, I think you get hooked. At least I did. I still haved tackled the bike & I’m sure I will never swim 2 miles or 1 mile. 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
andrea | December 13, 2011 at 7:04 pm

A duathlon!

And I ‘m not training for anything. I just like to keep my mileage up around 10.

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- Darlene Cardillo | December 14, 2011 at 7:43 am
  
  and a tri in 2012?
  
  LikeLike
  
Fran | December 14, 2011 at 3:13 am

You’ve had a great year Darlene and it’s been a pleasure following you this year. I admire you most for not giving up even with your injury.

Things I did this year for the first time? Ran my first 10 miler, trained for my first half marathon twice and DNF on it twice 🙂

LikeLike

- Darlene Cardillo | December 14, 2011 at 7:44 am
  
  2012 will be your year! If not, then 2013. Love love love your photos!
  
  LikeLike
  
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