Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Looking back and looking ahead

2012 … it’s here. I really hate the entire resolution buzz, but I find myself doing the same thing… sitting around reflecting on the last year of my life. Thinking about what went wrong, what went right, what I could do better, what I didn’t do that I should have done, what I didn’t do that I said I was going to do… and on and on and on….

Looking back…
2011 was quite a year. For starters, I turned (gulp) 40! Ugh! I’m not sure why the number was such a big deal to me but it was. I thought, I didn’t look any different (although I’m fully aware I keep looking older and older, but I didn’t look any different than I did when I was 39!). I didn’t feel any different. I didn’t act any different. All that happened was that I was officially in my 40s. I also moved into the “masters” division, which I find hilarious! One would think with the title of “master” you should instantly get faster, right?? My dad tried to convince me that my 40s would be the best time in my life. I thought he was just trying to make me feel better at the time but I’ve realized that he just may be right. I’m okay with being 40.

I had no triathlon season because of a shoulder injury. I was unable to swim or ride my bike. That left me with just running. I started my year on track and ran the Sugarloaf Marathon and successfully qualified for Boston again. After that, I went into a slump, a post-marathon whatever you want to call it and didn’t feel like running long, ever. At times I didn't feel like running at all! I did manage to run the Mt Washington Road Race in June, but that was about it. Late this summer my friend Laurie somehow convinced me to run the Philadelphia Marathon on 8 weeks of training. I thought she was crazy but it was exactly what I needed. I banged out those 8 weeks like nothing was ever wrong, lost 10 lbs, and felt amazing. Unfortunately, the race didn’t come out as planned but I was okay with it. I had my motivation back AND had a really fun road trip to Philly!

One of the highlights of my summer was hiking Mt Washington. I have wanted to complete this hike for two summers and finally in mid-September I did it. I had perfect weather … 70 at the bottom, 50 at the top, very little wind, and clear views most the way up. Hiking is just so exhilarating to me.

Things in my personal life were a little rocky at times. I won’t delve into the details but I will say that I learned this year that I absolutely do not have to put up with any bullshit and drama that complicates my life. Period.

Looking ahead …

2012 should be an interesting year all the way around. I have a few races that I’ve already signed up for, including Boston, but after that I am just going to let the year unfold and see how I feel. I did toss my name in the NYC Marathon entry. I have always wanted to run that race for fun and just take in the sights. I’ll find out later this spring if I got in.

I don’t make full on resolutions, but as I said earlier, I do like to reflect on things I think I could change. It is never anything major or life changing. I just try to incorporate things that I think would make my life – physically, mentally, and spiritually – better.

The things I would like to do more of … reading, yoga, hiking, and camping.

The things I would like to do less of … watching TV and drinking coffee. (yes, I said less coffee)

Something I keep saying I’m going to do but keep putting off … learn Spanish. This is the one thing I am committing to accomplish so stay tuned! I may be blogging in Spanish by year end.

And on the personal side … I will be keeping my life free of bullshit and drama. Life is too short and as my dad said, these are going to be the best times of my life…

Happy 2012!

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