Some Dates for Your 2009 Calendar

2009 is going to be an exciting year!

First of all, does anyone want to run the Shamrock Shuffle on March 29th with my neighbor and I? The Shamrock Shuffle is, correct me if I'm wrong, the world's largest 8k race and they cap the race at 32,500 participants. That may sound like a lot, and surely it is while you're running elbow-to-elbow with 32,499 other people down the street, but the race fills up fast and I want to make sure that everyone knows that registration starts on January 1st. I love this race and I've participated in the last 6 out of 7 years, missing only last year because I was too cheap to pay the entry fee. But I did go to the gym that day and run the full 8k. There were just a lot less people there and no one gave me a t-shirt. Needless to say, it wasn't the same and I'm gonna be there this year! C'mon Kari ... whadda ya think!?

I feel as though it's kosher for me to discuss an event that will somehow be incorporated into next year's goals because I ACTUALLY FINISHED ONE OF MY GOALS FOR 2008!!!! As of Saturday, December 13th, I officially finished my 500th mile for 2008. Currently, I'm 18.5 miles over budget, but there are still 5 days left to the year - who knows what I might do. Maybe I should focus on my other goal, a sub-7:30 minute mile. Hmmmm ... I don't know about that one. The people at the gym probably don't want to see me puke.

Another important date for 2009 is the next Chicago installment of the Great Urban Race taking place on August 1st. Registration is already open and if you register before January 1st you'll save at least $5 per person (I should be getting a kick-back for my promos). The race is going to be limited to 500 teams, so I just want to make sure that no one misses out on this awesome experience.

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and that 2008 was good to you. If it wasn't, then 2009 is just around the corner and new days are a comin'. I'll post more about Christmas just as soon as I figure out how our new camera works. I haven't even unpacked the USB cable yet.