I’m weird about change. It makes me sad – even if it’s a good change. So, I’m a little sad about the year being over. I’m just hoping 2012 will be even better!
Here are my top 11 memories from 2011!
1. Running the Rock N Roll Phoenix Half Marathon.
This is one of my favorite races of all time. I felt GREAT the whole race! I had fun! It made me happy. I ended up beating this goal in May, but this race was more fun 
Okay, I do have to give PRing in the Long Beach Marathon a shout out here too. It almost killed me, but made me stronger.
2. Running with friends! I finally discovered running with friends can be fun! It’s taken my hobby to a whole new level and helped keep me socially normal. Kinda. 
Honorable mention to: Running a Race in Boston (even though it was freezing and I didn’t want to get out of the car). I really wanted to run in 6 different states this year. I didn’t hit that goal, but with this and AZ above I was able to knock a couple out.
3. I got my personal trainer certification and got a job as a trainer!
This was one of my big goals of the year and I made it happen. I still have a lot of learning and growing to do in this profession, but I’m finally happy. I spent all my life thinking my path would be something else. It was really hard to let go of some of the dreams I was holding on to so tight. But, I’m very proud that I let go of some things in order to try something new and scary. 
4. I spoke at Fitbloggin and the Healthy Living Summit! I did a presentation on Blogging 101. If you’re new to blogging check it out here. 
At HLS I spoke on Blogger Safety. It’s a topic I still think we need to continue to talk about. I don’t want to wait until something really bad happens for everyone to take blog safety seriously. 
5. I made more vlogs! I don’t know why I like talking to a camera over a live person, but I do. Kidding. But I enjoy video blogging a lot and hope to do it more often in 2012!
My How to Cut a Watermelon youtube will always be my favorite, but How to Cut a Mango is like the sequel
6. My fam and I had a lot of fun times eating, hanging out, eating some more…
7. We visited Ben’s fam and went to Marco Island where I didn’t die even though it was 102 degrees with 100% humidity. That’s basically underwater.
8. I almost met Adam Richman from Man V. Food. But he tweeted me after and I adore him even more now!
9. I did meet Bob Harper!
And I know what you’re going to ask – Yes, he’s super hot in person. Like crazy hot. Give me a minute now that I’m reliving it actually…
10. I ate my weight in watermelon and fro-yo and whatever else I wanted. I am at peace with food. I have days when I’m too snacky and I know that’s not good for me (old habits die hard!), but it’s not an emotional or starvation based thing. It’s just because I love food.
I wanted to lose 10 pounds and I failed at that 2011 goal. But, I didn’t gain any weight despite the fact that I eat what I want. Now it’s up to me to decide if I want to cut back to make the scale down or what.
11. Ben and I went to Sequoia National Park and Panama and didn’t kill each other continued to grow together <3
11 1/2. – Run Eat Repeat grew like crazy and I found new friends and readers and opportunities because of it!
I am very very grateful that you stop by to see what I’m up to. I read every comment and email and know you are busy and there are 89,000,348 other blogs you could be reading instead of this crap RER. 
Thank you for reading and commenting and supporting me. I hope you hang around for 2012!
Happy New Year!!!
<3, Monica
I really enjoy going back and reading older posts. I just found this blog the beginning of this month and love it. I have a similar relationship with food that you had in the past and just got the book Intuitive Eating. I look forward to learning and growing while following your blog. You are helping me more than you know.
Im terrible with change too. Thats a goal for 2012, be more accepting and open to change!
I like your retake with Bob Harper. 😉
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy reading your blog. Thank you for being hilariously you!
What a great post! I love your blog because you can be insightful and funny all at once. It was a great 2011, here’s to an even better 2012!
Happy New Year Monica! This is such a nice post. Very thoughtful. I’ll always be an RER reader; with your blog, unlike many others, your passion and personality come through in every post. Keep it up!
xoxo
Caronae
Hi Monica, I have been following your blog for the better part of a year now and you have inspired me to start my own blog. I look forward to reading about your adventures and sharing my own in 2012. Happy New Year!
wow what a great year, so cool you met Bob! he is awesome! I would love to met him or Jillian!
Cheers to a very happy new year, and I like your blog! It makes me laugh.
Hi Monica, long time reader/first time commenter… Love your blog! Sounds like 2011 was a fantastic year for you. Your fitbloggin presentation (blogging 101) has inspired me to put some real effort into my own blogging.
Not a runner myself, I love reading about your running adventures (not to mention the food!). Keep up the great work. Happy 2012!
ohh yeah. thanks for linking to the bob harper meeting!! i wasn’t a reader back then, but i clearly need to see that.
🙂 Tonight I went to Maiwand Kabob, and for some random reason I remember reading a blog post about you and Ben going there. Happy New Year!
I wish we hung out more in Columbia 🙂
What an awesome year! I hope 2012 is even better for you, happy new year
What a fabulous year and a great recap! Happy 2012, looking forward to what’s to come, thanks for making your blog a great place to visit every day. 😀
Loved the little recap!! And love coming here everyday!
Here’s to a great 2012!
It sounds like you had a great year! I hope you have a fabulous evening out celebrating! We are ringing in the New Year in our New House (the highest highlight of 2011 for us)!
i love #10! i love all of them, but especially #10. and i love your blog! yours is the only one i bother reading anymore.
Thanks Alicia 🙂
Happy new year!! Its great you finally found your career/passion 🙂
Okay I’m STILL jealous that you got to meet Bob Harper and Skinnyrunner met Kara Goucher…man lucky girls yall are!
I am new to your blog this year and find you to be an adorable breath of fresh air. I am glad your readership (is that a word?) is growing, as you are pretty entertaining!
Glad you had a great year, looking forward to reading posts in 2012!
You had a big year!! I’m sure 2012 will bring even more!
awee LOVE you and your blog!!! CONGRATS on a fantastic year! You helped inspire me during one of my most difficult. Thank you 🙂
Cheers to 2012!
You had quite the year! Still super jealous you got to met Bob…
It was a joy to meet you at Fitbloggin’ this May – here’s hoping our paths cross again in 2012! Happy new year to you and Ben!
Looks like 2011 was good to you. I loved this post!
Happy New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! 😀
Thanks so much for posting the links. I still need to find out how to cut up a mango though 😉
Cheers to a fantastic year! Happy New Year my friend.
Looks lIke 2011 was a good year! Have a happy and safe New Year! Happy 2012!
Happy New Year Monica!