2009: A Year in Review

2009 was an amazing year to say the least. Among many things, Todd & I went to 6 weddings of some of our closest friends & family (3 of which I was in) and were lucky enough to travel to St. Thomas, Colorado, and Houston. I also completed my lifelong dream of running the Boston Marathon (now all I need to check off my bucket list is opening my “Mullet Bar” and driving my car so fast I go up on 2 wheels…but more on that another time). Here’s a short review, month-by-month in photos, showing what a great year it truly was.

*Please note the change in Todd's hair throughout the year too

January

Trip to Newport Aquarium & Haufbrahaus
Wedding #1 in Cleveland: Nate & Erica Polek


February

Fractured hand after falling while running
Trip to Pittsburgh to visit Sara & for a 20 mile training run


March

UD roommates at Dana's wedding shower in Dayton

April

Sexy 7 at Shubs' baby shower


Sexy 7 at Lynn's wedding shower

Easter in Leetonia

Mile 16.8 of the Boston Marathon

May

Wedding #2 in Columbus: Nathan & Lynn Ison

Sexy 7

My birthday dinner at Hyde Park

June

Wedding #3 in Columbus: Dan & Kathryn McGinnis


Wedding #4 in St. Thomas: Derek & Emily Paul


Day trip to St. John's


July

Wedding #5 in Colorado: Nate & Dana Knight

UD Roommates at Dana's Wedding

Rocky Mountains

Wedding #6 in Houston: Brian & Alicia Lewis

Bridal Party

August

Canoeing & camping


September

My 1st OSU football game

October

Circleville Pumpkin Show

Keeneland in Lexington

November

Trip to the wineries in Geneva, Ohio for Todd's birthday
Thanksgiving

December

Christmas dinner

16 Weeks Till Boston

It's hard to believe in 16 weeks I'll have just finished the Boston Marathon. Since today marks my first "official" day of training, I thought I'd share my training program and goals for the race.

I usually just make up my training program based on several other programs (Runners World, Hal Higdon, etc.) but for Boston I decided the try the FIRST training program from the book Run Less Run Faster. It emphasizes only running 3x/week and 3x/week of cross training with the 3 days of running being quality runs, not just junk miles to get in the miles. I felt like this would be good for me since I'm injury prone and tend to run less mileage than most marathoners anyways. I like to max out at around 40 miles/week because I've found I will most likely get hurt if I push myself much past that.

The 3 quality runs each week include speed work (track repeats from 400-2000m at 5K pace or faster), tempo runs (medium run of 6-10 mi at 10K pace or slower), and a long run (10-22 mi at 15-30 sec slower than planned marathon pace). I plan to average between 35-38 mi/week while like I said, maxing out at around 40 mi/week. I'm hoping to do my longest long run ever with a 22 miler three weeks out prior to beginning my taper.

Since Boston will be my 5th marathon (Columbus 2007: 3:49, Rock & Roll Arizona 2008: 3:38, Columbus 2008: 3:34, and Boston 2009: 3:55) and I ran it this past April, I know exactly what to expect and hopefully know what to do to push through the pain....especially when I reach Heartbreak Hill! Last year, I was lucky enough to train with three of my good girlfriends which made training in the cold, snowy, icy winter months that much easier. We had run our butts off trying to qualify for Boston, so we all decided to just have fun running Boston and enjoy the race with our goal being to just break 4 hours. We ran 3:55. This year, I will be training by myself and will need lots of motivation to go out in the freezing cold to run for 3 hours. Let's hope we have a mild Ohio winter so I don't have to do too many long runs on the treadmill!

Crossing the finish line at Boston 2009 with my friends/training partners

I plan on taking some time off from running marathons after Boston so my goals might be a bit lofty considering the tough course but I really want to give it my all. The following are my Boston 2010 goals:

C Goal (happy goal/Boston qualifying time): 3:40

B Goal (PR goal): anything under 3:34:16

A Goal (dream goal/everything goes perfect): breaking 3:30

I'll try to post weekly about how my training is going. Cross your fingers I stay injury free until April 19!

Six Christmases

Despite the fact that this was the first year I wasn't with my family on Christmas morning, I still had a wonderful Christmas and was able to spend it with Todd's family as well as mine. In total, we had six mini Christmases.

Todd & I headed up to his hometown of Leetonia, OH in the afternoon on Christmas Eve to spend the night & next morning/afternoon with his family. We got there just in time to head to Christmas Eve mass at 4:30pm. Afterwards, we went back to Todd's parents' house where all the extended family came over for dinner & the $5 gift exchange (Christmas #1). There were close to 30 people which is a huge difference for me since I'm just use to my parents and brother being around for the holidays. It was a bit overwhelming at first as there were some new faces but I settled in quickly. There were so many of us, we actually had to eat dinner in 3 shifts so by the time we ate and did the gift exchange, it was close to midnight & I was wiped out.

Todd & I in front of the Christmas tree after church

Santa came to visit after dinner & hand out presents to some of the little kids. Todd's nephew, Andrew, was so excited to see Santa.

We woke up on Christmas morning and hung out with Todd's parents until his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew came over to open presents (Christmas #2). I swear I had never seen so many presents underneath a Christmas tree. Andrew was hilarious opening presents because he had quickly realized the shape of a clothing box and knew those presents were not fun presents. After a couple hours of opening presents, we all headed over to Todd's cousin's house for more presents and lunch (Christmas #3)

The tree on Christmas morning (and this was before Todd's sister's family had come over and brought even more presents)

Todd & I left Leetonia around 3:30pm to head back to Columbus for Christmas #4 at my parents' house. Like I said earlier, it was the first time I hadn't been with my family on Christmas morning so for me, it didn't really feel like Christmas until I was home. When we got there, Jeff, Todd, and I opened our stockings first then ate dinner. After dinner, we opened presents, starting with the "family" tree and then ended with the "Santa" tree.

Growing up, we always had 2 Christmas trees. Our big Christmas tree was in the living room and was considered the "family" tree where we put presents to each other and from my parents. We also have our "Santa" tree which is much smaller and in the family room where Santa leaves his presents.

I had a great time at home being with my family and was glad that Todd & I were able to spend Christmas with both of our families.

Family Tree in the living room

Santa tree in the family room

The Wittich Family

After we left my parents' house, Todd & I went back to my apartment to open presents we had for each other (Christmas #5). I had no idea what Todd was getting me and had been dying to know for about the past 3 weeks. He did great & I loved everything. I was pretty impressed that he knew I wanted a few of these things because I had only mentioned them in passing or hadn't even talked about them in months.

Presents from Todd: Vera Bradley bag, William Sonoma hot chocolate & hot chocolate maker, and pink & black Spinning shoes. Finally after teaching for 3 years, I feel like a real spinning instructor with these shoes.

By the time yesterday rolled around, I was exhausted, but we still had one last Christmas to go to (Christmas #6) in Ashland, KY. Todd came with my parents, brother, and I to visit my Grandma, Aunts, and Uncles at my Grandma's house. It was very low key and nice to see everyone because it had been over a year since I'd seen everyone because I wasn't able to make it down last year for Christmas. I was happy that Todd was able to meet some of my family on my Dad's side since he had already met everyone in Houston this past summer on my Mom's side.

I had to add this picture; it's one of my Grandma's cats, which is literally the fattest cat I've ever seen

It's been a busy few days but I think this was probably one of the best Christmases to date. I'm hoping to relax for the next few hours before the craziness of this upcoming week begins. Tonight, a few of my old UD roommates are coming into town and I'm going to dinner & catch up with them. Tomorrow & Wednesday I have to work from 3:45am-noon so I'm sure I'll be tired by the time New Year's Eve rolls around on Thursday.

11th Annual Sexy 7 Gift Exchange

The Sexy Seven.

Yeah, you could say we're kinda a big deal. I mean, we do even have our own theme song thanks to a song request at Cotillion our junior year of high school. But seriously, I love these ladies. For starters, there are obviously 7 of us: Lynn, Megs, Lauren, Court, Katie (KTP), Lindsey (Shubs), and myself. We all became one big group of friends our junior year of high school, although I can't actually remember how we became friends or why we decided to name ourselves "The Sexy Seven." We've been through everything together and 5 of us even went to the University of Dayton. I'm lucky to have them in my life and think it's rare to still be so close to your high school friends. Despite the fact that three are married/engaged (one of those with the cutest little babies you'll ever see....check her and her little monkey man out at Life is Full of Perks) and we're spread out from Chicago, Columbus, and New York, we can all hang out and never miss a beat.

One tradition we started in high school was our annual Christmas gift exchage. This year, we're celebrating our 11th gift exchange. We each bring our signature dish or dishes (fruit pizza, puppy chow, taco dip, pepperoni bread, and we can't forget Shubs' cheese ball!), exchange presents with our secret sexy 7 member, and catch up. We even allowed an extra guest to take part in the fun this year as Shubs brought her almost 4-month old son Henry. He had a blast flirting with the girls & hanging out in each of our arms.

The Sexy Seven: Lynn, Shubs, me, KTP (Back row)
Court, Lauren, Megs (front row)

The traditional "Powell Girls" pic

Posing for pics with Henry while Mama Perks runs out for a bit

Presents under the tree....hmmm I wonder which one is mine?

The spread

Always smiling.....Shubs w/ her little monkey

Lynn had me in the gift exchange and it's clear she knows me well. I got lip gloss (my addiction) and this amazing picture she designed from my Boston marathon. She made me one a few years ago when I ran my first 1/2 marathon & I absolutely love them! All the photos she used were pictures that I had actually taken that she'd seen on facebook.

And last but not least, I can't forget to mention our latest tradition at the gift exchange that started about 5 years ago. At our dances in high school, we could get poster size versions of any photo so of course some of us ordered posters of the sexy 7 posing; however, a few years later, no one really wanted these posters any more specifically KTP's mom who told her she had to get rid of it so she had the perfect idea. She gave it to whoever she had in the gift exchange that year. It's become tradition to pass the poster around and I had been lucky enough to never receive the poster......that is until this year! I'm now the proud owner (for a year) of this:

Prom Poster circa 2001

It will probably be hanging out in my closet for the next 11 months, 3 weeks, and 6 days.

I'm heading out after work to Leetonia with Todd to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning/afternoon with his family before heading back to Columbus tomorrow afternoon to spend Christmas evening with my parents and brother. We head to Ashland, Kentucky on Saturday to visit some of my family. It'll be a busy few days but I'm looking forward to it.

Catch you all in a few days! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Winter Wonderland

Todd & I had a wonderful but busy weekend. On Friday, Todd planned date night for us! We went to dinner at Haiku in the Short North followed by seeing The Nutcracker at the Ohio Theatre. I hadn't seen it in quite a few years & it was just like I remembered it. As we walked outside after it was over, we walked straight into a winter wonderland of snow. It had started snowing during the show so by the time we walked outside, there was already a good inch or two on the ground.

We ended our weekend at the Zoolights on Sunday night. Despite the cold, we managed to walk around for about an hour (and that was about 30 minutes longer than I thought I would actually make it due to the hot chocolate I had to get). In total, we saw 3 animals! Apparently when you go to the zoo at the end of December to see the Christmas lights, you're not really going to see any animals. Enjoy the pics!

Loving all the different colored lights

I couldn't believe how many lights were up! Every year it seems like they add more and more.

The lights around the pond


Todd & I (just imagine us standing in front of the lights in the previous picture)

On a side note, I finally got a new phone! I am the proud owner of Blackberry Curve. I think Todd is happy that I can check my email on my phone now instead of always asking to borrow his iPhone.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I'm officially ready for Christmas! Although I had finished shopping several weeks ago (I know, I know, I'm one of those people), I finally finished wrapping all my presents today. With my brother, Jeff, coming home tomorrow and the 11th Annual Sexy 7 Gift Exchange on Wednesday along w/ 3.5 days of being insanely busy at work, I knew I wouldn't have time before Todd & I head to Leetonia for Christmas Eve to wrap presents. I have also watched a handful of Christmas movies the past few weeks to get into the holiday spirit.

Presents wrapped & ready to go

These are a few of my favorite Christmas things....cinnamon pinecones, The Polar Express, and of course the classic Christmas movies....yes, Home Alone is a classic! I can never hear "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" without thinking of cute little Kevin trying to trick the Wet Bandits.

If you've seen my apartment, you know that there is definitely not any room for a Christmas tree, so I have to make do with my parent's old ceramic light up tree.

And last but certainly not least, I have to show you my absolute favorite holiday tradition....the advent calendar. My Grandma made this for our family & growing up, Jeff & I would take turns hanging up the Christmas ornaments. One year I would hang up the odd days and Jeff would hang up the even days and the following year, we'd switch. The reason we had to do this was because you wanted to have the even days. Why you ask? Because that meant you got to hang up the ornament on December 24 which was always the star on top of the tree. Since my parents knew how much I loved this calendar, when I moved out a few years ago, they gave it to me to keep up the tradition. And I still love hanging up the star every Christmas Eve.

Attempting to Blog...

Hi everyone & welcome to my blog! I figured I’d make a blog to keep everyone updated with what I’ve been up to. I feel like whenever someone asks me what I’ve been doing lately, all I can ever respond with is, “Oh you know, nothing really….just working & running.” So my hope is that now you’ll have able to see what I really have been doing….which is a heck of a lot more than working & running!