2019- 40 Photos Wrapped In Packages of 10

Happy almost New Year! I thought it would be fun to conclude the year with sharing some of my favorite moments from 2019 in the theme of 10’s (10 pictures, 4 themes, 40 photos total)- you’re still with me right? If not, just roll with it and enjoy the photos!

10 of my favorite experiences from the year:

• Getting 2nd female OVERALL at a 5k and a 2+ minute 5k PR.

• Getting to run and be in a podcast with former Editor-In-Chief of Runner’s World, David Wiley!

• Seeing this memorizing waterfall in Oregon with my mom.

• Checking off another 4,000’ here in New Hampshire that I hiked

• Setting a date for our wedding and getting to explore the outdoors with Alex this Fall.

• Going to my first RED SOX game!

• Having the strength, courage, & pure grit to decide to go back to school.

• Running 50 MILES through the heat, mud, rain, and hail

• Going to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival with my mom in Oregon!

• Collecting these medals (AND cowbell!) this year!

10 unexpected things that happened this year:

• PR’ing my half marathon by 5 minutes in March after running 7 miles beforehand.

• Running 28 miles ON MY OWN for a training “run”. Yeah, that was awesome and hard and totally exhilarating.

• Just how good Tillamook creamery ice cream really ice (you HAVE to visit their headquarters. So delicious)

• Getting 3rd overall female in a last-minute entry trail 5k (signed up that morning) the week before my 50 miler.

• How badass it feels to run in a sportsbra. Yeah, I did that more than once this summer ; )

• How incredibly humbling it is to go back to school and just how dang SMART nurses really are.

• Just how stunning the Pacific Northwest really is. I want to go back ASAP.

• How heartbreaking it can be to not perform to your potential at a goal race and also how really challenging it can be to run when you go to a big goal race by yourself.

• I realized that being close to family is so important and to cherish those memories we are fortunate enough to make.

• You can really actually wash your running shoes and they won’t disintegrate. That was a great lesson to learn after my 50 miler.

10 Lessons That I Learned This Year:

• How really great swimming is for you.

• How imperative it is to not give in even when you’re struggling. Keep going. Keep pushing. Keep pursuing your dream.

• How integral it is for me to slow down in the mornings. Journal. Stretch. Meditate.

• Just how dang hard pull-ups really are.

• Exercise is exercise. Get outside. Get active. Move your body. You’ll feel better for it.

• A challenging run = growth.

• Stop and smell the roses during your run (or kiss puppies). You only get one life.

• Diets are important, but also eat a darn donut every once in a while.

• It’s OK to be proud of your accomplishments and show off those muscles- you’ve earned them.

• Work hard. Stay humble. Practice gratitude. Know your potential and keep pursuing your goals no matter what others think.

10 photos from the year described by one word.

• Peaceful.

• Happiness.

• Quiet.

• CUTE.

• Grit.

• Distracting.

• #20

• Breathtaking (that’s one word- just roll with it)

• Rewarding.

• Love.

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-What are your favorite memories from the year?

-Give me 10 things that you accomplished this and describe them each with one word (no description!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Feature Friday: TOP TEN POSTS IN 2018

Wohooo! We made it to Friday! Finally! I’ve got 6 easy miles on tap this morning and will be on the treadmill again since it’s going to be in the negatives (and I’m on Stella-duty early this AM before work). I’d also really love to skin up the mountain or go for a swim, but my schedule is pretty tight right now! Still a toss-up! I’d love to get in either one more hike session on the ski mountain or in the pool before we enter into 2019, but a new year is no reason not to make new goals and create new exciting schedules! Also did anyone else feel this way when getting a gift this Christmas (..obviously we feel this way on the inside because let’s still remain classy!).

This weekend is super busy for me with teaching skiing (tis the season), but it’s not so bad since I get to spend the entire day outside playing in the snow! I also have Monday (NYE) completely off, which is really exciting. I can’t wait! I have a million things I’d like to get done and will probably only get to like two of them. Ha. Anyone else think like this with to-do lists and days off?!? I’m all gung-ho until it’s the actual day-off and then I’m honestly pretty lazy! Let’s get to my top ten most-viewed posts this year!

Top 10 Posts in 2018!

10. The Post Where I Shared What My Training Will Look Like For Eugene Marathon!

9. The Post Where I Recapped My First Day of my MS Run The US Relay Segment #7 Where I Ran Up And Over Rabbit Ears Pass!

8. The Post Where I Describe What I’m Doing This Weekend In Memes

7. The Post Where I Share How I Fundraised $10, 581 for MS Run The US!

6. The Post Where I Share The Article On My MS Run The US Journey from The Summit Daily

5. The Post Where I Talk About The Importance Of Courage & Taking Time For Yourself

4. The Post Where I Share The Top 5 Songs On My Playlist Right Now

3. The Post Where I Share My Goals For MS Run The US Relay

2. My Entire Compilation of MS Run The US

1. Sharing My Tips To Mentally Crush That Last 10k of a Marathon!

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-Three things you’re doing this weekend?!? —> teaching skiing, running 6 miles, doing some yoga!

-What are your favorite memories/ experiences from 2018?

-Give me some of your GOOD NEWS! I love to spread good news and would love to hear what yours is!

10 Ways That Running Has Changed Me

Happy Thursday! We are only one day from the weekend again and getting so close to the end of 2017! I hope this year brought you many laughs, adventures, friends, opportunities to grow, and if not- there is always next year. I wanted to share with you 10 ways that running has influenced and made me a better person, in ways that I never thought it would. I thought this was a great end-of-the-year post because many people may be looking to add something new to their routine in 2018 or wanting to add more running/fitness goals into their life!

1. Running has given me opportunities to explore places I never thought I would visit.

2. Running has given me so much CONFIDENCE in every single facet of my life. 

3. Running has provided me with goals for each year and a reason to work-out (besides "wanting to be fit/in-shape")

4. Running has provided me with challenges and also the opportunity to overcome those challenges.

5. Running has given me patience. Getting better/coming back from injuries is TOUGH and it definitely is a work-in-progress.

6. Running has given me an outlet to laugh, smile, cry, overcome my anger, solve problems (or come to realization that they cannot be solved so easily), celebrate, and mourn.

7. Running has taught me so much about myself, things that I'm not sure I would have ever known without it. 

8. Running has given me the opportunity to join support groups and fight for causes that I am beyond passionate about. 

9. Running has given me an excuse to enjoy a donut (or two) after accomplishing something. 

10. Running has made me realize that I'm enough of myself and that I should never take it for granted.

What has running taught you?

What are your 2018 goals? Fitness or non-fitness related?

How have you improved from a hobby you enjoy doing?