Saturday is Valentine's Day, but this Hallmark holiday will be third on my list of reasons to celebrate that day. Firstly, if all goes well, I will make the leap from marathoner to ultramarathoner at the Pemberton 50K. Although, in reality, I'm sure it will be more of a shuffle than a leap.

But I will also celebrate an important anniversary. On February 14, 1999, I said goodbye to family and friends in Boston and moved to Tucson. I was a single, 24-year old woman and thought I would spend a few years in the Southwest before moving on to another adventure. And yet, 10 years later, here I am.

During my decade in Arizona I have found my inner-athlete, a wonderful husband, a love of dogs, fantastic friends, an increased tolerance for spicy food, and my domestic side. I look forward to finding more pieces of myself in next ten years!