(Please excuse as typos or grammar mistakes. I really wanted to get this post out before I left of a vacation adventure! So, I didn’t have much time to edit!)
Hello all! I know it’s been awhile, but I’m still here..I’m alive! Returning to the blogging world just in time for a 2015 Review!
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Oof. What a mess. I feel like 2015 was kinda of messy…I don’t know what happened. I’m not saying it was a bad year, not at all, just that if you look straight at my New Year’s resolutions, I didn’t get much done! Or at each individual aspect of my life, running in particular, it’s just messy.
In reality, I did A LOT this year, and 2015 was GREAT OVERALL!
Looking back at 2015…the fine print…
Here’s the resolutions I set at the beginning of the year:
–PR for the Half Marathon. Well, that didn’t happen! I ran TWO half marathons this year and was no where near a PR.
-I would love a PR in the 5K as well. Nope, not this either! I ran a ton of 5ks, but no where near a PR for me!
-I want to ramp up my running fitness, get back in to what I call “half marathon shape.” This happened, but not 100%. I definitely changed my running fitness and trained like I never have before, but definitely not to “half marathon shape.”
–I want to run at least 1000 miles. I ran WAY more than I did in 2014, but not quite 1000. My total for 2015 is 733.32, plus or minus about 25 or so miles. If anything, I would say I missed a couple in my log book. That’s pretty close!
-I want to start adding in some speed workout to my regular running routine. I definitely did this! Especially once I started coaching those Golden High School kids!
-I GOTTA get a new state in this year! DONE! Checked off Oregon with the Huckleberry Half Marathon!
–I want to regularly strength train. 2x/wk. This was off and on for me through out the year.
–Get back into climbing! Easy to do when you start dating a climbing guide…
–Work hard with 3W Races. Check. I feel like I put in a valiant effort at this job!
-I really want to post more often on my blog. That’s a negative. While I didn’t 100% neglect my blog, I still didn’t regularly keep it up.
–Knock off another 14er. DANG! Guess I’ll have to do at least two next year!
–Visit TWO places in CO that I have not been. Conundrum Hot Springs and Grand Junction!
Actually, that’s not too shabby. It’s mainly my running goals that didn’t get done….
Looking back at 2015, OVERALL, the REAL stuff….the stuff that matters…
Here’s a little more detail into what I did all year:
Running: I started of the year with big goals in mind. I never actually reached any other those goals, but I’m not disappointed at all. I ran more when I felt like it rather than because I had to. I did a ton of racers, randomly, here and there, mostly with the company I work for, but a few just on a whim. I knocked off a ton of 5k’s and two half marathons, one being in another state. Later in the year, when I realized I wasn’t going to be coaching for the same school I coached Cross Country with last year, I kinda of got bummed and didn’t get in shape for the cross country season. Then, out of the blue, I got a call from a good friend to coach at Golden High School (which is actually the city I live in now), and was ecstatic! BUT, I wasn’t as nearly in shape as I wanted to be! But, I ran and trained with the kids, pushing as hard as they did! I got fit, fast! At the end of the season, I had some weird rib injury and after taking a week off, I lost my running motivation…the weather got colder, and I just don’t know what happen. I plan on hitting 2016 with a rejuvenate running spirit.
Blogging: Well, I love this blog, I just literally ran out of time. I was busy between all of my jobs, one being on the computer a lot, which left me not wanting to stare at a computer screen when I did get free time. I really want to revamp my blog, the look, the theme..everything in 2016.
Relationships: Ooo, I like this topic…finally, for once in my life! I started off the year in strange, “I-don’t-know-what-we-are” type of relationship. While we had great times together, I knew we were on different pages, so I ended things. Shortly after, while being on a sorta-of-date with a friend, I ran into my crush co-worker. 😉 We hung out that night, exchanged numbers…our first date was about a week later (rock climbing, of course), and the rest if history!
Career: WOAH! Finally, I had one full time job for a WHOLE year! I got hired in November of 2014 by 3W Races doing marketing and race production. It’s been a blast! It’s great to actually get paid for something you love very much (i.e. running). I did a lot of marketing, volunteer coordinator for our big races, promoting at run clubs and going to other races to promote our company. In addition to 3W, I have still been personal training and teaching group fitness classes (including the TRX) at the Golden Rec Center as well as coaching Cross Country at Golden (fall) and Track & Field (jumps coach in the spring seasons). Yes, it makes me very busy, but I can’t let go of any of those part time jobs because frankly I love all of them and well, it helps pay my debt off faster (student loans).
In between all the BIG stuff (see above), I had plenty of other adventures all year long….
January– Ran the Resolute Runner 5k (third year in a row), Started back up as a 3W ambassador AND employe (being both got a little bit technical, but all around fun). Ran one of 3W’s Six Pack Series events (first in my age group).
February– Ran the Heart Throb 5k with my mom.
March– Ran the Dream Catcher Half in Grand Junction. Ran the Erin Go Braugh 7.77k (third year, I think). Got certified as a RRCA Running Coach! Started the Brew Tour run club with my job.
April– Saw my first country concert (Dan + Shay). Celebrated my birthday (28!). Became a Skirt Sports Ambassador!
May– Helped coach Track and Field at Green Mountain High School and watched some of our kids at the State meet! Ran the Women’s Classic 5k (placed, but can’t remember what..). Ran the Colfax Marathon Relay. Ran the Bolder Boulder.
June– Ran the Beer Relay (SO FUN!). Ragnar Trail Relay in Snowmass. Met Started dating a wonderful guy (we had already known each other). Ran the Father’s Day Classic. Saw Joan Jett in concert!!!
July– Camping, hiking and lots of climbing! Went to Portland and ran the Huckleberry half!
August– Ran Road Ragnar. Did my first backpacking trip to Conundrum Hot Springs. Joined a fantasy football team. Started coaching Cross Country at Golden High School.
September– Visited my Grandpa in Seattle (RIP), Went to London! And Paris! Ran the Tough Mudder. Ran the Race for the Cure
October– Took some amazing athletes to the Colorado State Cross Country Meet. Had fun at the Chilli Cook off in Golden. Spent wonderful time with the boyfriend.
November- CSU v Wyoming game. Rail Road Museum. Spent an awesome Thankgiving working a race and then napping and eating and napping with the family.
December– Ran the Fa La La and got 1st in my age group! Had an amazing holiday season with my family and the wonderful boy’s family.
I’m sure there’s a few note-worthy events I have left out, but that gives you an idea of my 2015. Overall, amazing. A couple sad moments (my Grandpa passed away and a month later my cat passed away). A lot of wonderful experiences, adventures and great company.
Can’t wait to see what 2016 brings!
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How pitiful that I am reading your “2015 In Review” post in mid-April. Ugh, sorry. But what an incredible year you have had in 2015. Awesome!