A Year in Review and Looking Forward to the New

I set out to be a more thankful person in 2013. As I look back on the year, I realize how simple that goal should have been for me. There were days when giving thanks for what I have seemed more difficult than others, but I truly am blessed. In 2013, I counted my blessings, left the teaching field to pursue a job where I can connect with people and talk about running, ran a marathon, started a running streak, and best of all, I married my favorite person. It seems that for me, 2013 truly was one for the books.

I love making a resolution every year. It is nice to feel like you're starting new and moving forward with purpose. This year, I have decided to try to run 365 consecutive days, and focus on keeping my house more organized. I am thinking the organization will prove to be the harder resolution. I am not an organized person in general, and we plan to make a small move here in PA this spring. It seems that I may in fact be making a resolution for Matthew to also be more organized so that we can stay on track with everything going on this year. Hahaha! I am also hoping to shave some time off my half PR and run my second marathon.

Happy New Year to everyone, and remember throughout 2014 that you can do ANYTHING FOR 10!! 

Be happy, healthy, thankful, and present in your life this year!

Call off the search party... I'm back!

Where do I begin? Well, Fall Marathon Season is well underway! It is especially awesome this year because I will be running my first marathon this fall. This fall also brought big changes for me as I married my absolute favorite person in the whole world earlier this month, which accounts for my extended absence on my blog. My training has been a bit sketchy for a few reasons, but I am trying to reconcile as much as possible to be on track for my November marathon. Oh yeah, I also chopped off all my hair, which makes my head soooo much lighter when I'm running, but it also adds to my psycho-factor when I'm running.

I have been having so many doubts when it comes to getting ready for this marathon. There are days when I think that I am really ready for the distance. There are also several days when I am painfully aware of how unprepared I really am. There are plenty of people and seasoned runners who would argue that I wasn't "ready" for the marathon distance to begin with, but I am running in memory of my grandma to honor the dignity and grace that she conducted herself with throughout her life even once she had lost the ability to walk or talk due to ALS. Other people and the little voice in my head can say I'm not ready all day long, but I will overcome because I am Helen's granddaughter. This is surely not going to be the best marathon anyone's ever seen, but I will finish.