When I think back to January 2010, I can’t believe 12 months have passed since then. I just can’t. I started my Core Fusion Challenge on January 2, 2010, which means I have been taking Core Fusion almost every day for a FULL YEAR. How is that possible!

The more I thought about that, the more I thought about my year and how it was documented on this blog. More importantly, I realized how so much of this would never have been possible with this blog. My entire year was shaped by experiences born from Dori’s Shiny Blog.

I hope you will indulge me as I take a look back to the major events that happened for me this year. I owe this year in large part to all of you, and for that I am forever grateful.

January

On January 2, just a few days after a big breakup and an even more stressful apartment move, I wished my readers a Happy New Year and started the one-month Core Fusion Challenge thanks to the generosity and insight of Fred DeVito. I recruited a group of about 15 blog readers to join at home with the DVDs. These ladies’ positive experiences throughout their challenge helped push me through my own.

On January 19, I received the news that one of my very good girlfriends passed away. This was my first real experience with someone my age dying. I still have not fully come to terms with it and I can’t believe it has been almost a year since I’ve spoken to my Robin. I think about her every day. I hope to one day be as good a writer as she was. In fact, one of the reasons I keep writing and blogging is because she said the greatest thing anyone has ever said to me: “I can’t wait to read the book I know you’re going to write one day.”

On January 21, I held a highly successful Dori’s Shiny CHARITY AUCTION to raise money for Think Pink Rocks so I could run the NYC Half Marathon. I chose a breast cancer charity because my mom survived breast cancer when I was 10. I was blown away by the generosity of companies and readers who donated their goods, services and money to my cause. You guys are seriously awesome.

On January 28, I noticed significant improvements after almost a month of Core Fusion.

February

On February 2, I shared my one-month results from the Core Fusion Challenge. So much changed in only one month — and now I have been doing Core Fusion for a whole year! Yes, kids, it works. Believe me. And if you don’t, just ask the (long) list of boys I can supply you with upon request.

On February 7, I ran the Gridiron Classic race with Meghann, whose blog I had been reading for a long time. I also brought her to Core Fusion and ate at Alice’s Tea Cup for the first time!

On February 10, I opened up a bit about my exercise history and explained why I could never go back to having a regular gym membership again.

On February 20, I ran the Race for Haiti, which raised over $400,000 towards earthquake relief.

On February 24, I learned to never say “I can’t” when I realized that Core Fusion drastically improved flexibility in just two months.

On February 26, I discovered my favorite exhale class, Kayleigh’s Core Fusion Yoga. That same week, I tried Core Fusion Cardio for the first time, which has since become a permanent staple in my life.

March

On March 21, I turned 27 and I ran my very first half marathon – the NYC Half Marathon. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I cried at the start and finish (and around mile 7) of the race from an overflow of emotion. I wish I could relive it!

April

On April 3, two weeks after my first half marathon, I ran my second one in my hometown of Flushing, New York. Missy was there taking this video and that video.

On April 7, I revealed to my grandmother that I am a vegetarian.

May

On May 11, I announced the new DSB posting schedule: Tuesday Blags. This set the stage for the rest of the year, and having this schedule took the pressure off myself to post all the time while keeping me responsible for writing every week. I also disclosed that I spend an inordinate amount of money on clothing my brother’s dog in sweatervests and Obama shirts.

June

On June 6, I reflected on running without music. And we all know how much I like my running music.

On June 12, I ran a 10K in 56:05 and am still on cloud 9 from this. I realized for the first time that I can be fast when I am willing to push my limits.

July

On July 17, I completed my final qualifying race for the 2011 ING NYC Marathon. This race also marked the first indication of my hip injury that would plague me at the end of the year.

August

On August 12, I held a free Core Fusion class for my blog readers. I was so happy to hear that they all loved it. The main reason I promote Core Fusion all the time, to anyone who will listen, is because I really just want other people to experience what I did, get the same benefits and understand why this is truly a mind body workout.

On August 21 I ran on New York City’s Summer Streets for the first time and witnessed the dumpster pools. On August 24, I ran nine miles from Basytr University to my brother’s home in Kirkland, Washington during a fantastic vacation.

On August 28, I traveled out to the Hamptons to assist with — and be IN — a YogaVibes Core Fusion class. Me on the left:

On August 29, I went on an Outdoor Bound hiking trip with fellow bloggers Missy and Kristine. We had such a great time hiking 6.5 miles on a gorgeous summer day!

September

On September 5, my baby brother got married to Mallory in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. Can you believe they let children get married? Seriously, Mallory was already my sister and I am so happy for them, and especially for their pup Santana who is finally a legitimate puppy and no longer a bastard.  (Doctored photo)

On September 28, I finally realized why I am still single.

October

On October 3, I ran my third half marathon this year, the Divas Half Marathon. I traveled to Long Island and ran with my friends Melissa and Erica – two friends I made through this blog. I PRd this distance, coming in at 2:14:44 despite knee and ankle pain.

On October 24, I posted photos of myself on the internet wearing nothing but an apron as part of Rachel’s Project Tasteless, Naked Chef Challenge. I then sent uncensored image to the list of boys (see February).

November

On November 1, I started a new job in social media. Finding the job was easy; finding the bathroom was less so.

On November 7, I watched the NYC Marathon for the first time — and got extra excited to run it next year!

On November 16, I interviewed Brynn Jinnett about her new studio, Refine, a new workout I’ve been in love with since October.

On November 21, I set a PR for the 4 mile distance with a 33:55 time, drastically improving from my 40:00 time the year before and running my fastest race time/mile not counting a one mile race. When did I get so fast!

December

On December 2, I held a free Refine Method class for my readers. Everyone loved it. I am so happy to share my new obsession!

On December 28, I announced the winners of the Healing Cooler Giveaway! Congratulations to the best responses (weighted double for those who Tweeted). Congratulations Melissa, Eve, Danica, Chelsa and Ana!

2010 has been a life changing year. As I wrote this post, I thought of the Billy Joel lyrics: “These are the times to remember cause they will not last forever; These are the days to hold on to cause we won’t although we’ll want to.” Thanks to this blog and your support, I will remember these times and I was able to hold on to every single day of the last 365. I was able to do so much this year, from Core Fusion to running races to hiking to Refine Method to appearing in exercise videos to making close friends and more — opportunities I never would have had if I didn’t start a little blog with a silly name back in November, 2007.

I changed so much over the past year — both my body (over 200 Core Fusion classes’ll do that to you) and my entire outlook; the way I handle situations and deal with stress. Compared with this time last year, I am a much stronger person both physically and emotionally.

I am excited to see where 2011 takes us!

I think I mentioned once that I entered the lottery for the ING New York City Marathon 2010 and didn’t get in. And of the many, many people I know who entered the lottery, only one got in — hi Leslie!

Many people who don’t get in through the lottery — and even some that do — choose for gain guaranteed entry into the Marathon by joining a charity team. You might remember I did this with Think Pink Rocks for the NYC Half Marathon and held a very successful charity auction right here on this blog to raise the money! It was so worth it too. My first half marathon was on my birthday so it was extra special, and it was the most incredible race, to be running through the streets of New York City with people cheering me on. Of course it would be even more amazing to do this for a full marathon!

I had heard of Team for Kids before — some other bloggers run with them and only have positive things to say. Because of all the wonderful things I’d heard, I was really honored when they approached me and asked if I would be interested in helping them find a few more people to raise money for their charity and gain entry into the ING NYC Marathon on November 7 — or the 2011 Half Marathon next spring.

Whether you already have entry into the ING New York City Marathon 2010 or you did not get lucky in the lottery and are still looking for a way to run 26.2 through the Big Apple, this could be an incredible opportunity for you.

Dori’s Shiny Blog is teaming up with NYRR’s Team for Kids for the ING New York City Marathon 2010 and the 2011 NYC Half-Marathon. You can join Team Dori’s Shiny Blog with TFK and receive amazing perks including:

• Guaranteed entry into the sold out ING New York City Marathon 2010 or the lottery-based 2011 NYC Half-Marathon
• Professional coaching and training support from our team of ten coaches, including coached workouts for NYC-metro area runners of all age and experience levels
• Online training, coaching and communication through our members-only group that allows our participants across the globe to receive coaching and training support
• Signature Team Green race singlet and training shirt to wear on all your runs
• Fund-raising support as you seek to meet your fund-raising commitment and help us transform lives through running (Please note that fundraising commitment levels vary. If you already have entry into the race, your commitment level will be reduced.)
• Special invitations to members-only clinics, socials, and VIP events
• Exclusive race day perks including members’ only buses to the starting line, private tents with pre-race amenities, exclusive baggage services, and a private post-race recovery area

Plus, as a member of Team for Kids, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that the dollars you raise and the miles you run all help fund NYRR’s youth programs dedicated to transforming young lives through running, with the larger goal of ending childhood obesity within a decade.

From their website:

Team for Kids was established in 2002 as the primary charity fund-raising vehicle for New York Road Runner’s youth services division. Funds raised through Team for Kids provide free or low-cost school and community-based health and fitness programs to children who would otherwise have no access to regular physical activity. Currently, our programs serve nearly 100,000 children each year in more than 400 schools across New York City, the nation, and South Africa. With obesity still on the rise, NYRR’s youth services equip children with the tools they need to become physically fit for life, while also incorporating goal-setting, character-building, and nutrition education.

I think the best part of Team for Kids, aside from the amazing things this organization does in helping children, is the targeted training you will receive. You won’t have to rely on an online training plan or worry about running your 20 miler alone; you will have coaches training you no matter what level runner you are.

And the support you get from teammates and spectators is beyond anything you could experience on your own! Team for Kids ALWAYS has coaches and supporters cheering you on every step of the way.

Click to read more information on Team for Kids. If you decide to sign up for the NYC Marathon (it’s getting close!) or the 2011 NYC Half Marathon, please be sure to mention Dori’s Shiny Blog.

As a special incentive for my readers, Team for Kids if offering a two bleacher seats at the finish line to all who sign up for the ING NYC Marathon through Dori’s Shiny Blog. Those seats are hard to come by, and this way your family or friends can have a perfect view of you as you achieve this amazing accomplishment! So if you are interested and have friends who might be interested too, let me know. The sooner the better so you can jump right into your training! And if you’re interested in the NYC Half Marathon on March 20, please tell me that too.

Even though I’m not running the ING NYC Marathon this year (although this is really tempting… hmmmm…) I wouldn’t post this on my blog if I didn’t truly believe in the mission of  Team for Kids and NYRR. I want them to raise money for their youth programs and I am happy to help in any way I can. I’d love to get more deeply involved with them. I hope that by using my blog to recruit runners, I can help Team for Kids raise money for their inspiring programs.

The night before the NYC Half Marathon, I enjoyed a delicious pasta dinner at Serafina with some bloggers I love – Lindsay , Katherine and Leslie ! This was my first time meeting Leslie and I was so excited. My friend Melissa, a blog reader who I trained with for the half also came to din.

I kept it simple and healthy at dinner by ordering the Whole Wheat Penne dish and I requested it be served without garlic. Garlic taste can stay in the mouth for an entire day no matter how many times I brush my teeth, and I needed perfect mouth conditions for the race.

I had a hard time falling asleep that night, as expected. But I woke up before my 5:30 am alarm time and my first thought was “It’s half marathon day!” A few seconds later, I had another thought: “It’s my birthday!”

I got up and took a shower. I’ve never showered before a race, but I read in Runner’s World that a warm shower will loosen up the muscles. Anything that could help me run stronger and prevent pain sounds good to me.

I got dressed in my brand new Lululemon outfit, my new Bondi Band headband that I bought at the expo, my knee sleeves, compression sleeves and birthday crown.

Happy birthday to me!

Since it was going to be cold before the race started, Melissa and I bought matching I <3 NY sweatshirts. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see Melissa before the race to take a picture together. I had a little fun on mine with some fabric markers I bought when I was going to make a race shirt that said “wish me a happy birthday”, that I decided not to wear.

Melissa and me at the expo:

I packed up my Spibelt and put that on, and I drank my Organic Avenue green juice, stretched and pinned on my race number. Then I was out the door and in a taxi headed for Central Park.

I found my section for bag check and there was no line, it all went quickly and easily. I walked into the park and waited on a very long line for a portapotty and then headed over to my corral. I started at the start line and walked past corral after corral. After corral. After corral. How far back was I?? I kept walking and walking. Eventually I spotted a corral that had a lot of room, and even though it was a couple of corrals before my designated one, I went in. I knew I could run between a 10 and 11 minute mile and decided there was no reason to be all the way in the very back.

While I was waiting, I got a BBM from Leslie and told her where I was. I loved being able to have my phone with me thanks to my Spibelt! She made her way alllll the way back to me from her much closer-to-the-start corral and we talked and took a picture.

I loved passing the time before the race with Leslie. When she had to go back to her own corral, I turned around and there was Catherine – my Core Fusion health counselor and teacher! She was in the same corral with me! It was so nice seeing her.

As I waited for the race to start, I looked to my left and noticed a row of portapottys right next to me with NO line. I decided to take advantage of this sign from above and use one. So glad I did! I still had plenty of time before the race started.

I was getting a little upset because no one seemed to care that it was my birthday. I was wearing the crown and lots of people saw me on the portapotty lines, in the corrals, and no one said a word. Finally, someone wished me a happy birthday. And then someone else told me it was her birthday too. I felt a little better about my ridiculous crown once it was acknowledged.

And then the race started and so began the 15 minute walk to the start. You heard me right. I started the race exactly 15 minutes after it officially started according to the digital clock at the start line. Crazy! There was one small problem. During the walk to the start. . . my body decided another portapotty trip needed to happen. Why do I have to pee SO MUCH when I am nervous? This has happened before. I drink the exact same thing before training runs and races, yet I only have this issue during races and other events that make me nervous or anxious. Is this my body’s fight or flight defense? Because if it is, it’s stupid.

I was so excited to start the race, I wasn’t about to try and find a portapotty. I was no longer near the ones by my corral. I decided to just start running and hope it was all in my head. I turned my music on and I was off!

Loved the spectators in the park cheering as I started. Woo hoo! I did cry a little bit as I crossed the start. Who cries at the start??! When did I become so emotional? I quickly tossed my sexy sweatshirt to someone on the side and got into my music. The weather was gorgeous, the conditions were all ideal except for that nagging pressure on my bladder. Ugh! I avoided water stations. Every time I passed portapotties, there were long lines. Dashing in and out is one thing, but I was not about to start waiting on lines! I worked too hard for this race. So I kept running. At each mile clock, I saw that my time had moved by exactly 10 minutes. 10 minute miles, yay! That made me happy, although I tried not to focus on the time and remind myself I would still come in under my goal if I started running slower.

When I crossed over the 5K time tracker thing my face broke into a big smile – I knew that pretty soon, all the people who signed up for email alerts would get an email with my first time! As it turned out, they started sending my results after 10K, but I didn’t know that at the time.

The full loop of Central Park is 6 miles, which means that shortly before mile 6 I was by the part where the race started. By then I had been running for an hour while having to pee and I was not comfortable. So at that spot I saw the long row of portapotties for use before the race and since there were so many, there was no line. This was my opportunity! While running, I yanked down my Spibelt and lifted up my shirt. I was not wasting ANY time in there!

I used the bathroom and ran out and was back in the race. I was upset that I lost some time, but I tried to accept that these things happen and you can’t always control them. And above all – I felt SO MUCH BETTER. What a relief!

And then I saw Catherine again! I started screaming her name and ran over to her. How funny to run into her mid-race. I separated from her shortly after saying hi to make my way over to the water station. Now I was ready to drink!

I took Gatorade by accident, but I liked it. I ended up switching between water and Gatorade at most stations after that.

I crossed the 10K mark in 1:05, which is only 2 minutes slower than my 10K race PR of 1:03, so it doesn’t look like my bathroom stop hurt too much!

I was still feeling really great at this time, too. Even with the bladder discomfort, the first 6 miles went very easily for me. I never thought a day would come where I’d utter those words! But yes, 6 miles – NOT BAD!

After we passed 7 miles I got excited because it was my last mile in the park. Everyone told me how great it is when you can finally leave the park and run down 7th Avenue. Mile 7 felt so long! I just wanted to get to the next leg of the race and every time I thought I was close I would recognize something around me that showed me just how far from the 7th Avenue exit I actually was. I ate a shot block.  I also started feeling some minor chafing. I had never experienced this before, but my left arm rubbing against the side of my back was creating some uncomfortable friction. I passed some people handing out sticks of vaseline a few miles back but didn’t see any more. Now I know for next time!

Finally I got to Mile 8 and smiled as I left the park.I paused the music on my iPod since I heard I’d want to hear all the people cheering for the runners. And then . . . nothing. There were very few spectators along the sides of 7th Ave and it was very quiet. After a minute I put my music back on because it was boring.

I looked at the spectators I did see, but none of them shouted Happy Birthday as I’d hoped. Oh well!

There were a couple of bands on 7th Ave, so I would pause my music to hear them, which was nice. There was a cheerleading team, but they were facing AWAY from the runners and cheering for people watching them on the sidewalk. Wtf?

I know everyone says running through Times Square is the most amazing part of the race, but I don’t know. I found it kind of blah. I think this was a combination of there being so few spectators and the fact that the runners were able to spread out on 7th Ave and I felt like there were no runners around me except for the slow stragglers at the back. Of course I was not a straggler in the back, but it did feel that way.

Can you spot me?

We turned onto 42nd street and that was pretty dead too. And by this point I was really starting to struggle. My knees were both hurting, my old familiar sharp pain on the outside of the knees. My quads were hurting too and felt very heavy. I ate another shot block. I thought maybe if my energy improved the pain in my knees wouldn’t be so bad. Blah. Running, running. Going through the motions. Mile 9, hello.

I crossed the 15K tracker and again thought of the people getting emails about me who actually cared, which did help push me through. It was like having virtual fans.

Onto the West Side Highway. There was a band playing so I paused my iPod to hear them and then when I pressed play, I lost my playlist! I somehow moved from Half Marathon playlist to Florence + the Machine album. How did that happen? I pressed a couple buttons without looking and somehow was able to get back to my race playlist. I did lose my place though and had to start over.

I didn’t let this little snag get me down. I loved my songs in the beginning and it was actually pretty awesome to hear them again! I put my least favorites towards the end of the playlist anyway.

Here was my full playlist:

I didn’t get to hear any songs from the Heaven on. Once I restarted, I simply skipped over songs I didn’t think would pump me up enough at this point in the race. But I LOVED the songs I got to hear twice (cough, I’d Rather, couch) and the song I ended the race to (Bounce That — Girl Talk).

Mile 10. Just 5K left. My first race was a 5K. But during my first race I didn’t have this pain in my knees and heaviness in my legs. I was running but I was going so slowly. There was a woman in a white top and she was walking. And I could NOT pass her. For a long time, she was walking, I was running, I could not pass her.

That took a little out of my confidence.

At this point, I just wanted to be finished. I knew I would finish, but I decided to let go of any plans on meeting my time goal (more on that later). I was barely moving, I was in pain, I was feeling pretty crappy and I knew I would not finish strong, but I would finish. This was the longest mile of my life. Both my knees hurt. My quads hurt. No one was wishing my happy birthday. FInally, Mile 11. Just 2 miles left. What’s 2 miles? It’s an easy 20 minute run. I could do this. I was still struggling though. It took me over half a mile to realize I was PDRing, 11 being the longest I’d ran while training. Woo. Hoo. Yeah.

The mile 12 marker was nowhere in sight and I was getting frustrated. I finally saw mile 12 in the distance and felt relieved. Finally, I made it to mile 12. Shortly after, I looked to my left and THERE WAS SARA!!!! My friend Sara, who just started a really great blog about restaurants in Manhattan, was cheering for me! I screamed. Seriously, I just screamed, not caring what the other runners around me thought. I was so happy to see my friend!!! I waved at Sara and she took a couple photos of me. You can’t see me in the first picture she took because I’m behind a huge guy (I don’t remember him being there at all), but Sara did manage to get this awesome picture of me that I am obsessed with and stare at all day long at my desk at work:

Yayyyy! You can’t tell I was struggling at all, right? Neither could Sara. She thought I looked strong and happy. Well, it is crazy how mental running is, because as soon as I saw Sara, my struggles ended and I WAS happy. I felt amazing! The pain in my knees didn’t seem so bad and I was able to speed up. I had a new burst of energy and I ran faster and stronger. I cried a teeny bit and smiled while I ran. 800 meters to go. I got this! 400 meters to go. Well I just did 400 since that last sign, so I could do that again! I ran and ran. I saw the finish line and I guess my body was too beat to sprint, but I kept running strong and crossed the finish line with my arms in the air and tears in my eyes. Okay, I lied. Full on sobs. What is wrong with me!!!

I was so overwhelmed with emotion and so happy and I just finished the NYC Half Marathon, my first half marathon!

I cried some more and then waited on line to have my picture taken, since I was wearing a crown and all! And now that I see the picture, I understand why no one wished me a happy birthday — no one saw the crown! It got pushed back!

I had a secret time goal of 2:20. After my bathroom stop I knew it would be harder but still possible. After my difficult miles 9-12 and not being able to pass a walker, I decided to let go of my time goal and just enjoy myself.

So what was my time?

2:18:53!!!!

I still beat my goal!!! I signed up for my own tracking emails so I knew my time as soon as I checked my phone after the race. I am so so so so SO happy with my time!!!! That averages to 10:37 miles, which is really awesome.

I picked up my baggage (easy smooth process!) and saw Leslie right away! Leslie PRd and qualified for a special corral in the Chicago Marathon from this race!

Then I went to find my best friend and I ran into my good friend Jackie (from the following: Jewish day camp, high school, grad school and old job) and then I ran into Katie! I saw so many people I knew randomly!

I know this post has been about me, but I actually ran the race for charity. And if it wasn’t for all of you, I wouldn’t have even had the opportunity to run the NYC Half Marathon. I cannot thank you enough. Your generosity, support and willingness to help me run a charity auction to fundraise for Think Pink Rocks was beyond what I ever could have expected. I raised $1,671 for Think Pink Rocks, and the money goes to breast cancer research and prevention. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, so this charity was important to me and I am so honored to have run for this amazing cause.

Cool shirt, right?

My best friend and I went to brunch at Landmarc where I ordered my favorite food, french toast. This french toast was special and came inside a hard french toast bread shell. Then I went home and enjoyed my post long-run 2 hour deepest nap ever. Also, I worked. People don’t talk much about post half marathon pain by the way. My quads were burning for days. I could barely walk. Subway stairs were brutal. Trying to sit down was unbearable. You never really think about the muscles you use while trying to sit but wow do we use muscle! My knees were also bothering me. After two yoga classes and some ice, I am doing much better! It took a few days though. Also, my toe situation is pretty gross and very black. Will discuss in a future post.

Just like that, I ran 13.1 miles. Last year I was running maybe 20 minutes and now I am running over 2 hours and feeling great. I LOVE RUNNING! It is so amazing because anyone can improve.

My next half marathon is the 13.1 Marathon NY in my hometown of Flushing, Queens on Saturday, April 3. As I said, I try not to make time goals . . . but if all goes well with the bladder, I think I can beat my time. I am so excited!

March 21, 2010 was the most rewarding birthday I could have ever imagined! Welcome to my 27th year!