Happy Birthday to ME....

So, here I am on the eve of my 40th birthday and I am pondering the last year of my life... So much has happened, so much to be thankful for, so many memories to cherish...  I wanted to take a moment to relive the last year and all I have accomplished, overcome, challenges met, stories gained, new friends and families, love, life, and loss...  Here is my year in review as I see it...

January - I started the year off with a bruise tibial plateau.  That is a bone bruise on the top of my tibia which was borderline fracture (could have been really bad).  Even though I was dealing with this injury, I push forward with an amazing accomplishment that only a small percentage of people on this earth can say they have done, I finished a full marathon.  Although, I did walk this particular event due to the injury, I still got myself out there in 24 degree weather (17 degree windchill) and finished the 2010 Disney World Marathon... All 26.2 miles of it.  The way I saw it, what I was doing was quite literally a stroll in the park compared to what my hero (Courtney) was going through.  She was struggling to walk, and I was doing it all for her!  I was very proud of myself for sticking with my goal, injury and all.  Did I mention I raised $5,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on my way to Disney???  That was just the beginning for LLS. 

I also started the year off with an interview with for a new position.  I remember this being a bit scary.  Who wants to risk changing careers in this economy?  I looked at the interview with an open mind... The worse thing that could happen is I would not be offered the job.  Much to my surprise, I was...  The decision was quite simple for me.  I loved my job in Deerfield with Fire Rescue; however, this was a huge step forward and a position which would utilize my education, skills, and assets to their fullest.  It was the right choice.

February - At some point near the end of January or the beginning of February, Courtney was diagnosed with neuropathy from one of the cancer treatments she had to endure.  I decided my goal with LLS was not just to find the ultimate cure, but to help raise money to fund research which will provide for better treatments which will not have these side effects.  A Cure is the Ultimate goal, until then, I will take treatments which will offer our patients a better way of life while fighting these cancers.

After a few weeks off of training to recover from the injury, I started running again in February.  Just three weeks into the month, I trotted out to the A1A Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon and set my new PR (personal record) in a half marathon at 2:36.  I finished that event off the right way... with two very large ice cold Ultras!  Much deserved, I say! 

March - Just two weeks after A1A I set another new PR finishing the Princess Half Marathon in Disney in 2:33.  Yes, that is three months and three endurance events. And another $2,100 for LLS (now up to $7,100 for the year.) I was on a roll!  

Did I mention this was my first event Mentoring for the Society's Team in Training?  After Courtney was diagnosed, TNT became a big part of my life, a huge part of me.  I am not sure I know how to define me without TNT and LLS.   

After returning from Disney, I started my new career at the Broward Sheriff's Office as a Program Manager over the Regional Law Enforcement Records Management System.  Quite a change from Emergency Management, but not entirely without my EM roots.  I am still responsible for assisting with disaster recovery, only not for a city, just for the IT division of Broward County Public Safety.

During March also came another injury... This time from play, not from training.  It was enough to cancel my plans for the Nashville Rock n Roll Half Marathon in April. =(

One thing I cannot forget to mention about March... Time at Jimmy Johnson's Fisherman's Cove with my dearest friends!  Steph, Deb, Beca, and Dani... You will always be my besties!!!  What a great weekend, and so well deserved!!!

April - Most of this month was getting used to my new job, mentoring a few new recruits for LLS's Team in Training, continuing to raise money and awareness for blood cancers, and letting my body heal!  All important stuff.

May - What a month as I remember... Courtney had finished her treatments, at least to a point where she was able to check into a live-in rehab facility to start aggressive physical therapy aimed at helping her walk again.  I visited her at Brooks Rehab in Jacksonville and met so many incredible kids struggling through different types of physical challenges.  This visit made me grateful for what I have and for what I have been able to do.  In addition to watching Courtney stand for the first time in months, I met an incredibly strong and beautiful young lady named Analiese.  She became an INSTANT friend to Courtney.  And, I still keep in touch with her on facebook! 

 

In May, I also began training again for LLS/TNT in preparation for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon in San Diego.  I also help my Step Dad (or just plain DAD) celebrate his 65th birthday and retirement from Miami/Sims Crane.  I remember a huge party with friends and family; lots of fun; karaoke; shots; love; laughs; and just very happy times.  It was so great to see my dad ready to take on a new life in retirement.  

June - It was actually the end of May when I set off to California for the first time.  I actually had the opportunity to stick my toes in the Pacific Ocean.  Um, yeah, that water is so cold that was the ONLY part of me making it in the Pacific!  =) While in Cali, why not run another marathon event for LLS; that was the reason I went there.  The Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Little did I know at the time, this is one of, if not THE, biggest event for LLS all year long.  Over 9000 Team In Training Runners participated in this event last year and raised more than $12 million for LLS.  I raised $2,200 ($9,300 for those keeping track for the year)!  What an amazing weekend that was.  

At the San Diego Event I choose to have fun and help others rather than set a new PR for me.  Besides, I was certainly not trained up for this event.  Injuries are no fun for training!! I met so many great people along the way.  Many who inspired me to keep up my work with LLS.  Many who told me I inspired them to keep going when they did not think they could.  Many people who will always hold a place in my heart as I continue my journey with TNT/LLS.

When I returned from Cali, I started training full throttle for my next challenge - a Triathlon.  I was not quite sure what I was thinking other than I NEED TO DO SOMETHING MORE!  I grew up in Florida so I thought I knew how to swim.  I was wrong.  Oh so wrong!!!  But I learned.  I think I have yet to mention the incredible coaches we have with TNT!  Thank goodness too!  Lisa ROCKS and taught me a lot about triathlons!

July & August - I am merging these two together, since they seemed to run together over the summer.  All I remember about that time is 430am wake ups to swim 3-4 days a week; spin classes on Mondays (and Wednesday when I could make it); biking at least two if not three times a week; running when I could (summer allergies make it difficult for me to run with my asthma); working 45-60 hours per week; and oh, did I mention finding time to raise money too??

In July, I cut my hair.  That would normally be no big deal.  But actually, I chopped 11.5" off and donated it to Locks for Love.  I figured (1) it is just hair, (2) it will grow back, (3) it was just in my way with all that training (swimming biking running!!!), and most of all (4) someone could use it more than I could!!

Then in August, all that training paid off the first time when I participated in my first triathlon (a sprint tri) at Loggerhead.  I think it was just under a 1/2 mile swim in the ocean, 13 miles on the bike, then a 3.1 mile run... No Sweat... well actually, a lot of sweat, it WAS August after all!

Oh, and this was a HUGE month for Courtney.  Although it marked the anniversary of her diagnosis, this month also marked the 1 year anniversary of her move into REMISSION!!!  This is a big YAY!!!!  She has been amazing through this all!  I am incredibly inspired by her daily!!  

On top of all this, LLS asked me to Chair the Street Team Program.  What an honor!  I love this organization and all they do for blood cancers and blood cancer patients!  This is certainly a way for me to give back even more to my favorite charity.  So what is this program?  We recruit for the Team!  So, don't be surprised when I ask you to join!  To do something incredibly inspiring with your life!  I will tell you, there is little that can compare to the feeling you get when  you cross the finish line at an endurance event knowing you are saving lives with every stroke, with every spin, with every stride!  One Mile At A Time!

September - This is a month I will never forget.  It started off with such an amazing accomplishment, and ended with drastic disappointment.  So, all summer I had trained hard for a triathlon.  Yeah, in August I finished a sprint, but that was just practice for me.  My real event was Nation's Triathlon in DC.  I was excited, I had never been to DC and to be there on September 11 was going to be amazing! 

Not only did I finish the Triathlon, but I had one of my best friends there at the finish line waiting to congratulate me and cheer me to the end.  (Thank you, Tricia & Zack, you guys rock for weathering that cold rain!!!!) I finished the race so hard I almost ran past the guy trying to hand me my finisher's medal!  =)  At the end, I truly thought THIS IS MY YEAR!Oh and another $2000 for LLS, so $$11,500 total this last year)

When I returned home, my world tumbled.  Not even 30 hours after returning, I received a call that my dad was in trouble.  No one knew how bad, no one knew the severity, no one knew anything!  On September 17, my Dad, Larry Wolfe Sr, passed away.  I was devastated.  Honestly, I am STILL devastated!  It has been a struggle over the last 5+ years learning to live without my mom... now I have to learn to live with out my dad too.  HOW?

October - This month started off with another event, one solely dedicated to my Mom & Dad.  Given the circumstances of September, I was once again attempting an event when I was not trained for it.  I was still determined to go and finish, regardless of my time.  My goal was to do what my dad was so proud of me for; and what he told me my mom would have been even more proud of me for... Run!  Run for a cure!  Run because others can't and I can!  Run for Courtney!  Run for Mom!  Run for Dad!  Run for Life!  

So I did.  I ran the Inaugural Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon.  I needed this little get away.  I spent the majority of the run lost in my music, thinking about everyone and everything.  Not my best event, but certainly not my worst event!  And the bottom line... I did not give up, I did not quit!  I finished! 

November - hmmmm, what can I say.  I still have yet to find my stride again.  I have struggled with new shoes, new speeds, tired legs, and a mind that won't give!!  As much as I know running makes me feel so much better about everything, I have had an incredibly difficult time getting my mind off of life and on to running.  Nevertheless, I still participated in and finished my 10th endurance event in 1 year:  the same event I started this all with in 2009 when Courtney was diagnosed, The Women's Half Marathon in St Petersberg, FL. 

Thanksgiving was tough this year.  I know I have a ton to be thankful for, and I am very much so.  I have a great life, an amazing daughter, family and friends that mean the world to me, a terrific career, my health... what more could a girl want??  Still, it is a bitter sweet holiday.  Not only the holiday itself, but the fact that my parents anniversary was two days prior.  I have missed them both dearly!

December - Well, here we are... and I am turning 40 tomorrow.  Do I feel it, NO!!!  How could I?  I run events with people half my age and finish just like they do, and sometimes trip them as I run passed them!  (Just kidding, well not entirely!)  If nothing else, I have proven one thing over the past year... I CAN DO THIS!  I believe in myself more than I ever did!  I have so many people to thank for that!

Writing this blog has really made me think.  I certainly have accomplished a lot this year.  Without the love and support of my friends and family, NONE of this would have been remotely possible.  Undoubtedly, if I began to name people here, I know I will forget someone and I don't want to do that... So... for all those who have time and again believed in me; for all those who have stood by me and supported me; for all those who unselfishly gave to a cause I believe in; for my family and my friends, old and new... THANK YOU!!!!  Your support and encouragement has made this one heck of a year for me!  And, to GOD, who without His Love, none of this would be possible!!  


So one question remains... NOW WHAT???  Well, January 2011 it starts all over... Miami ING half Marathon 1/30, A1A Half Marathon 2/20, Tahoe Century Ride 6/5, Dublin Marathon 10/31...  and that is just what is planned... there are always events that pop up! Just keep tuned here and you will be able to keep track of all I will be doing in 2011... Life Is Good!!!

All my love and many many thanks for a Happy 40th Year on this Planet!!