Welp, we’ve dun it. Anuther trip around the sun. Looking back, 2014 was a pretty decent year. Let’s take a peek at a few hightlights, shall we?
It kicked off with a BANG! In January I ran the Disney World Dopey & Goofy Challenge. That’s 4 straight days, 4 straight races.
The 6 Dopey Challenge Medals.
Day 1 – Thursday – 5k (3.1 miles)
Medal 1/6 gotten!
Day 2 – Friday – 10k (6.2 miles)
Medal 2/6 got.
Day 3 – Saturday – Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
Medals 3/6 got.
Day 4 – Sunday – Full Marathon (26.2 miles)
Medals 6/6 (includes Dopey & Goofy bonus medals)
All in all, it was a magical 48.6 miles.
Running at Epcot, waving to my fans.
Included in the weekend was the Kids’ Race, where the soon to be 5 year old rocked it!
Medals for everyone!
Oh, and did I mention my sis and ma also did the Dopey?
At Magic Kingdom with our medals.
Shortly afterwards though, I was going for a run, tripped, felled, and Nancy Kerriganed my own knee.
Put me out of commission for a little while.
I was able to eventually get active again by doing a lot of yoga in a retail store.
Cat, cow, what difference does it make?
I really think yoga is important for everyone – including runners. So I do a lot of it. And besides…
#NotCreepyatAll
Another part of my cross training is lifting weights. And besides…
Dumbells make you smart…and sexy.
I also like to mix up my runs with track work. And besides…
Track work makes you sexy. Here’s the proof!
Trail runs are also great. And besides…
#truth #obviously
Eventually my knee felt better and I got back on the roads with some of my fave people. Like Thursday Night Social Runners.
TNSR, Representin
And also my crazy early morning elfen crew.
They like to run at like 5am. They cray cray.
I also made a few Luke’s Locker social trail runs.
Run trails, eat pancakes. Repeat.
And the White Rock Running Co-op, who really helped me to become a better runner this year.
WRRC. Good runners.
To help fuel my workouts, I ate lots of tacos. Lots.
Legit, son!
In between training, I also got to see some of my fave bands…like at this FREE concert – The Killers!
About 30 rows deep, my mouth a gasp with excitement.
And the Old 97’s.
Seen this band countless times.
And I was super thrilled to see the traveling Broadway show, based on the movie – Once!
And I got to make my annual Jimmy Buffett concert experience…TWICE!
JB concert #1. Just call me Front Row Joe.
JB concert #2. Things get wild at the tailgate parties…trust me!
I also got to hangout on stage during a Graceland Ninjaz concert.
On stage open mouth selfie.
As well as Pentatonix.
I liked to imagine they were all cheering for me (they may have been).
They were amongst the Celebs that got to hang out with me this year.
They asked me to join the group based on some of my youtube karaoke videos.
And my model friend Brooke Becker.
She’s kewl.
And long time friend, fashion blogger, and TV host, Hilary Kennedy.
We had to wear our shades because of the flashes from the paparazzi.
And all around media star, and long long time friend, Ashley Kamrath.
At the Emmy’s. We didn’t win this year, but we’ll get again next year!
And I made another video with friend & TV host, Emily Reppert.
On the set with my actor friends.
And I made a new BFF when I interviewed Olympic gold medalist, Jennie Finch.
See, told ya we were new BFF’s.
And my Dallas Half Marathon Champion friend, Logan Sherman.
Logan, Me, Patrick. Mustachioed.
And model/actor buddy, Shane Land.
We have played brothers in two movies. Can you see the resemblance?
And a Dallas Cowboy – Charles Haley.
A couple of legends.
Anyways, back to running. I ran a bunch of races. Starting with Abby’s Run 5k, where I won my age group!
Yay! I got a photo with Abby (who the race is named for) and her mom. Ann photobombed us.
Then came the Rock the Block 10k. New PR – 46:00!
And we’re off! -Photo from Dallasnews.com
During the months of Texas heat, it was really hot, so I only ran a few unofficial races. Like the Boston Marathon virtual run.
And the America, F**k Yeah 4th of July 10k.
Censored Bling
And the TNSR Beer Mile.
This was a bad idea.
Then came the Fall. Autumn is always a time of change. For us, a big change was the boy starting kindergarten. Where does the time go???
He’s grown about 5 times his size. Based on that growth rate, I figure he’ll be about 80 feet tall by his 20’s.
I even volunteered to coach his soccer team. That was a lot of fun!
Landsharks on three!
And the little girl just keeps growing too!
Stop looking at me swan.
Fall also saw a lot of PR changes. Starting with the Oktoberfest 5k – 21:33. When you PR, you have to celebrate…
They love me.
Next up was the Dallas Mavericks 5k. Another PR!
The Mavs Dancers asked to have their photo taken with me. I obliged.
Speaking of which, my brother ran his first half marathon this fall! And my dad is running his first half in January 2015!
Dad, Bro, Me at an FC Dallas game this fall.
The next PR to fall was at the Dallas 13.1 – 1:42:59!
Bottle opener medal.
Next was the annual Halloween fun run.
Our costumed group.
One sad change was that we lost our oldest doggy this fall. She was such a great pup.
sweet Bailey girl
But in happier times, I set another PR at the North Texas Turkey Trot 5k 20:04. Bummer was the course being .1 miles short.
Stop looking at me turkey.
Next up was the Rudolph Run 5k. And yet another PR – officially 21:29, but my watch had the course being long. According to it I came across at 20:50-something. Either way, I got 2nd in my age group!
Last year’s race was cancelled due to ice. So I got two medals!
The final race of 2014 was the Dallas Half marathon. No PR this day, but still got my 2nd fastest half – 1:45:01.
Big state, little medal.
And as part of the Dallas Marathon festivities, I got to meet MEB!!!!!!
Me n Meb
The end of the year was spent with friends and family for the holidays.
Looking back, it was a pretty good year. Lots of tacos, shows, good times, and running. In fact, I went over 1,200 miles on my feet. I even surpassed 5,000 miles total with my Nike+ watch – starting when I got it a few years ago.
5 g’s over the past few years.
Here’s hoping 2015 will be even better! Happy New Year, y’all!
Today’s only question: What’s your top 2014 highlight?
Piratebobcat 