It started with a bang. New Year’s was spent at a Flaming Lips (my fave band) concert.

The next morning I really kicked the year off right by heading to Cozumel, Mexico for a beach vacation.

Shortly after arriving back in the states, I put one more year under my belt and celebrated my 24th birthday. It wasn’t the best birthday ever, but it gave me a lot of perspective as I continued on a journey to find self-acceptance.

In February, I finally met blog friend turned real-life friend Lisa and Coolgreens. Both the friend and the restaurant have been recurring sources of good times over the past year. Seriously, I pretty much consider this restaurant a friend. Don’t judge.

Lisa and I continued getting to know each other better when we ran the St. Paddy’s Day 8K together in March. It was a fun race and the farthest I’d ever run up until that point.

March was an extra good month because I got a part-time job that I adore and also headed to Baltimore for Fitbloggin ‘10!

If I wouldn’t have been so sick, it would have been one of the funnest times ever and even with the sickness it still pretty much was. I loved meeting so many bloggers in person. I made several true friends during that weekend and I love those girls dearly. (Ahem – Jess, Caitlin, Whit, Nicole and Abby just to name a few!)

In April I ran my very first half marathon!

My family hadn’t really gotten the art of race day photography down yet, but you get the idea. This race was a huge turning point for me!

I’d been sick for over a month prior to running it and felt certain I wouldn’t be able to complete the race, and yet I did. It was a huge motivator and gave me so much confidence. I’ll be forever happy I ran it.

I was so pumped up that I dreamed big in May and announced that I was planning to train for a full marathon.

June passed by without much excitement, just lots of fun in the sun and Body Pump.

In July, I celebrated America’s independence in style with my lovely family.

July also kicked off marathon training, which continued on through a long, hot August.

August wasn’t all running though, there were many birthday celebrations and my dad got married!

Speaking of marriage, I came clean about my previous engagement in September. Ironically enough, I was also secretly thinking about rekindling my romance with the ex-fiance around this time even though I didn’t share that on the blog. I didn’t though!

It’s a good thing too, because in October I went on my first date with my now boyfriend.

October was also the month in which I ran my furthest run to date of 15 miles, and consequently sustained a nagging injury that led me to drop from running a full marathon to a half marathon.

But it all worked out for the best. I ran my second half marathon in November and finished with a new PR, although it was a physically and mentally taxing race.

A definite improvement on the race-day photography, although the unsolicited view of the bf’s back side was not entirely professional.

Which brings us again to December, an amazing month so far! There was the SIL’s 30th B-day Bash, a week-long business trip and blogger meet-up with Kelly, a salad challenge, a decorated Christmas tree and a wonderful family Christmas.

Not to mention the fact that I finally embraced my happiness and found true self acceptance. That’s a lot of good stuff in a measly 365 days.

I had high expectations for this year, and I have to say they have been more than exceeded. I can’t wait to see what 2011 has in store!

What were the highlights of your year?