Looking back on 2014 I have to admit to many failures. On January 1, 2014, I was like that kid at the fancy restaurant for breakfast - I wanted the waffles, pancakes and crepes but didn't have the stomach to eat them all.
I didn't complete the mileage I set out to hit. I didn't clock many of the PRs I set out to clock. I wasn't a very good blogger. And, I still own two houses. Perhaps, though, my biggest failing was in setting unachievable goals for a woman who was set to have a baby in the first quarter of the year. Can we say denial about the impacts of having a baby on your body?
What I did achieve, though, was really awesome.
- I ran five days before the baby was born and than more than 1000 miles after the baby was born. I even ran on four continents within four days at one point. Remaining active kept me sane, healthy, strong and happier.
- I rejoined the racing community 20 days after Kellen was born with the Royal Family 5k at Walt Disney World. I normally run the Disney Princess Half Marathon during this particular weekend, but did I mention it was only 3 weeks after having a baby?
- I recorded a new PR in the marathon (and the metric marathon, incidentally). It wasn't the Boston qualifier I set out for (remember the stack of pancakes?) but it was respectable and gave me the confidence I needed to set lofty goals for 2015. It felt so great I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing at the finish line.
- I returned to the 50K distance, 9 months after the baby was born. Not my fastest time, not my slowest time, but with great company and a beautiful day, I was elated to be able to hit this accomplishment.
- I learned the thrills and challenges of family activities with a family of four.
- I shared my love of running with my daughter and watched the joy grow on her face as she ran kids races this past year.
- And, among my banner achievements for 2014, I grew my tribe of running friends....not just running friends, but also true friends. There are few things I would have accomplished this past year without this group of women. Through tough runs or crappy days, sharing joys and pains smoothed the road to be happy, healthy and a better person. Thank you to Ann, Leah, Alice Ann, Susan, Kelly, Kathy, Brie and Lara.
- I will run 1245 miles in 2015. Yep, resetting the clock on this one. Third time's a charm right?
- I will reach new time goals for myself - 5:55:00 50k, hit a Boston qualifying time in the marathon(3:40:00), 1:45:00 half marathon, 1:20:00 ten miler, 37:30 five miler. Trying this one again too. While it was unrealistic for 2014, I feel much better about my chances of achieving it in 2015.
- I will continue to build my fitness level, including strength, and along the way I'll work my butt back into my pre-pregnancy suits.
- I will more regularly blog about my running this year. Got a bit sidelined these past two years, and realized the blogging helps me, personally, in keeping track of where I am and how I'm doing. I also enjoy looking back on the memories and experiences I had along the way.
- I will unload my other spare house in 2015. For real this time. Like do more than just get all the way to signing a contract with the realtor.
- As a family, we will continue to seek out at least one new family-friendly activity per month.
- We will continue to learn about Chinese tradition and incorporate one into our family traditions in 2015 - maybe even add more phrases to our limited Chinese vocabulary.
