I love this time of year when we look back on the past while simultaneously looking toward the future. It was a tremendous whirlwind of a year for me—a year of doing things I had no original intention of doing.
I said I’d never buy a house on my own. Did that.
I said I’d never race my bike. About that…
I made jokes about how I hated running. Oops.
A house, a handful of races and three half-marathons later, here I am closing out a record-breaking 2015. Tomorrow, I start officially training for the 70.3 half iron distance triathlon. Though honestly, everything I’ve done this year has been in preparation for what 2016 holds. I’m not sure I’ve looked forward to a new year quite as much as this one, and I think it’s going to be spectacular.
January will hold lots of changes for me, and I’m excited for those adventures. I’m not much of a resolution person, but I am a goal person. In my personal life, I hope to create more margin and be a genuine friend to those people I hold so dear. I want to plan dinners with friends and laugh over silly jokes. I want to host game nights in my living room. I want to support my friends and be part of their successes. I want to rekindle old friendships far away, and I want to write more letters. I want to be meaningful and intentional with my time.
My athletic goals for the year include a 70.3 race, a half-marathon with my brother, two JDRF rides and a full marathon in my old hometown. Of those adventures, I’m most excited about the finish lines. My family will be at the 70.3 triathlon, and I can already imagine how it will feel having them along the route cheering. That half with my brother will be absolutely epic I’m sure, and I laugh just thinking about the entertainment to come in those 13.1 miles. (He’s already threatening to run it without a shirt. And that beard… Oy.) One JDRF Ride in the desert to redeem myself and another with my amazing Middle Tennessee team in Florida. And that full marathon will be a bucket list item in my old hometown of Huntsville. I shake my head and roll my eyes just thinking about the full circle of that run. (*Ahem… I’m also expecting more mimosas. You know who you are.)
So here’s to an epic and tremendous 2015 send-off. May 2016 be equally stunning—for you and yours, too.