2016....What A Year

I recently was encouraged by my trainer to reflect on things of accomplished since 2016. While the year may have been a bummer for humanity in general, it was arguably one of my best years to date. If you know me or followed my blog earlier this year, you know that January started out with me training for the Flying Pig Half Marathon. In May, I completed that race and became somewhat of a running addict. I immediately knew I wanted to keep doing it so I signed up for the Indianapolis Monumental Half Marathon. I met the finish line in November shaving off 16 minutes from my first half. I earned quite a collection of other medals along the way, my least favorite race being the Heart Mini and my most favorite being the beer series runs-still a beer and coney lover at heart! I made incredible and motivational running buddies with several people along the way. A runner's heart has been instilled in me!

My physical strength increased. I started weight training and quickly built up more strength than I knew I had. I climbed a rope and deadlifted 300 pounds, which would have seeemed completely unimaginable in 2015.

Other than physical goals, I achieved tenure status at my job. I traveled to St. Augustine, Las Vegas, LA, New Orleans, Red River Gorge, and Dallas. Traveling is such a passion of mine. Although it wasn't the prettiest of years to do so, TJ and I became season ticket holders to Paul Brown Stadium. I still say Go Bengals! As TJ was still trying to get his business off the ground, these things would have once been completely illogical.

2016 was a year of goals and visions. It was a year of challenging myself to be a new and better person. It was the year I turned my life around and started caring about being healthy and active.

It feels like 2017 has big shoes to fill. I don't want to become stagnant. I never want to be in a place where I'm not challenging myself or pushing myself to new limits. I'm not sure what 2017 will hold, but as of today I am signed up for full marathon training for The Flying Pig. Although it scares me, I remember when one year ago 13 miles did the exact same thing. Facing fears creates a great sense of accomplishment that I wasn't used to knowing before this year. On that note, the blog is back in action. Hope you'll watch the journey unfold with me and be convinced that you can do anything!