I’m a listophile: a lover of lists. In good accord with end of the year traditions, I feel it in my rightful duty to make a list of my defining moments that have made my 2011 absolutely amazing.
The list, in no particular order, is as follows:
Ironman France, crossing the finish line in 11:44.48 in pure euphoria.
JOIE [m.dot] VIVRE tattoo — my first tattoo and my constant reminder to live life to the fullest.
Believing in love again.
Cliff English’s Arizona Triathlon Training Camp with a group of 9 AMAZING women to honor Sally Meyerhoff.
Carving my first Halloween Pumpkin with “Joie,” or “joy” engraved.
Surviving two tons of falling pink mulch that totaled my bike and landed me in the hospital.
Surviving my bicycle battle with a rough sidewalk, sun burn, and really, really bad road rash.
Santorinian cliffs and sunsets that left me speechless.
Cutting down, and subsequently killing my first live Christmas tree.
The Athens Classic Marathon, finishing in 3:22.20 with a Boston Qualifying time.
Exploring Italy’s wines, pizzas, espresso, gelato and shorelines with one of my best friends.
Sparklers in pjs on the 4th of July.
Dressing up a a PIG for a friend’s first Ironman in Houston, Texas on a 100 degree day.
Having the worst April Fools joke played on me that was so real it made me cry.
Assisting my brother in my very first archeological site in Mycenae, Greece.
Betting at my first horse races in Monticello, and losing.
Todd Durkin’s 3.5 Day Mentorship with an inspiring circle of genius in San Diego.
Jogging through the “streets” of Venice.
Gracing the Jumbotron at Redskins and Nationals games without fail every game I attended.
Launching the Beautiful Body Bistro iPhone/iPad app in the Apple Store.
Fitness Director of the Year and Club of the Year awards.
The best picnic imaginable — in a vineyard.
Running with Rocky at the Philly Half Marathon — a run of pure pleasure and a PR of 1:33.
Castle exploration at sunset in Nemea, Greece.
Having the courage to do my first YouTube video and truly loving the skin I am in.
Hosting my first dinner parties where I actually COOKED everything and it was edible.
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Be a lover of 2011 and create your own list of defining moments to give thanks for.