2012: The Year of Bonus Bling!

As I told y'all a couple times last year, 2012 was designated as my "Year of Bonus Bling."  It wasn't something I planned from the beginning of the year, rather something I just kinda fell into.  So here's a pictorial representation of a year of "Bonus Bling" races!

First: The New Year's Double in Allen, TX.  I ran the New Year's Eve 5K on December 31st, 2011 and the New Years Day 5K on January 1st, 2012.  Since I did both races, I earned a Challenge plate to magnetically mount the two individual medals.  My friend Janice and I did this race series together.

Second: Disney's Coast to Coast Challenge.  I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon in Orlando, FL on January 8th and the Disneyland Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Anaheim, CA on January 29th.  By running at least a half marathon on both coasts in the same calendar year, I earned the Coast To Coast Challenge Medal.  My dad and BFF, as well as many of my ROTE friends and I ran these together.

Third: Patriot's Challenge in Williamsburg, VA.  I ran the Fit to Run Fit to Dream 8K on Saturday, May 19th and the Run for the Dream Half Marathon on Sunday, May 20th.  By completing both days I earned the Patriot's Challenge medal.  I ran this race series with my friends Megan, Jen, Katie, Dana, and Laura.

Fourth: The Half It All Challenge in San Francisco, CA.  I ran the San Francisco First Half Marathon on July 31, 2011 and the Second Half Marathon on July 29, 2012.  By running the two halfs in consecutive years I earned the Half It All Challenge Medal (it spins!).  I ran the Second Half with my friend Nancy.

Finally: Rock Encore.  I ran the Rock'n'Roll Dallas Half on March 25th and the Rock'n'Roll San Antonio Half on November 11th.  By running two Rock'n'Roll races in the same calendar year, I earned the Rock Encore Medal.  I ran the R'n'R San Antonio Half with my friend Rachel.

Of course, the year also included two medals not associated with "bonus bling":  my Wounded Warrior 10K medal and my Marine Corps Marathon medal.  Love them both!

Marine Corps Marathon

Wounded Warrior 10K