Final 5K of 2014

I've run my final race of 2014 and am now taking a nice little two week break from running.
I hope that will help ease some of the running-related aches and pains I've been feeling lately.
I ran the Inman Frosty 5K last Saturday to finish out a great running year. This year's race was cold but dry, unlike last year when it was cool and rainy. The only thing that would have made this year's race better was if I could have run it with my friend Erin. Last year we ran a lot together, but this year, she and her husband have been vagabonds, traveling the world. They spent about six weeks in Central Europe and from the looks of her Facebook posts, I think they hit every Christmas market they could!
The end of the running year lets me reflect on my accomplishments, and I really had a great year.
Four more states were added to my bucket list (and I've done 16, rather than the 15 I thought I'd done. Don't know how I missed adding Nevada!)
I'm already signed up for two half marathon races in new states for 2015, Kansas and Washington state. Looking forward to both of those, especially the Kansas one, which is Wizard of Oz themed. I've already seen what my finishers for the Wicked Half Marathon will be: flying monkeys!!

Finishers medal for the Kansas race

I've seen the finisher's medal for the race in Seattle, too, and it looks sweet as well.
And I'll have a terrific place to display them when I cross those finish lines, thanks to a beautiful birthday gift from my brother this year:

Finisher's medal display

I ran races with friends in each new state, or made new friends, such as I did in Mississippi.
All in all, it was a great year. One I'll look back on very fondly.