What happened to 2014?!

Wow! The last time I blogged was in January! What happened to 2014?! It's already December and everyone's gearing up for 2015. I apologize for the long absence. It's been a whirlwind of a year. 

After my Tink run in January I took some time off from running. I officially retired from half-marathons after the Tink half, and began to focus on a future in 10Ks. I have not missed half-marathons. At all. I have, however, found that I absolutely LOVE racing 10Ks. The distance is just far enough that it challenges me both physically and mentally, but short enough that it doesn't exacerbate any of the medical conditions. It has become my "perfect run distance." I did a few small, local races in NYC and one 4-miler in New Hampshire over the summer, as well as one obstacle race with my boys in July. In September, I journeyed out to South Lake Tahoe, CA to participate in my absolute fave event, the Lake Tahoe Marathon weekend. 

Tahoe was such a great experience. When Amanda and I first arrived, we somehow ended up being conned into volunteering at packet pickup on day 1. Although unplanned, we really didn't mind. We ended up meeting some really awesome people and had a great time. On the morning of the second day I participated in a 5-mile kayak race. It was amazing. I loved every second of it. Surprisingly, I won 1st place in the women's open division. I met two other wonderful ladies during the event and have kept in touch with one of them via Facebook. We are both looking forward to returning to Tahoe in October 2015. After the race Amanda and I again were drafted to help with race administration, and we gladly complied. When things finally wrapped up we headed to Heavenly Ski Resort to explore. We spent time in the village and then at the top of the incline. One cool part was being able to see exactly where I'd kayaked that morning - from a very high vantage point. On the morning of day 3 we both participated in the 10K, along with some other friends. My first mile was fast. Probably too fast for the elevation, but it helped me get a great split time for both the 5K and 4-mile marks. However, the elevation eventually won the battle with my body and I slowed significantly for miles 5 & 6. I finished in a decent time, less than 10 minutes off my PR from January. I had teammates at the finish line cheering as I crossed and I joined them to wait for the rest of our team. It was an enjoyable scenic race and a very memorable weekend. 

Right after I got back from Tahoe, we were supposed to move to Tennessee. The same day my overnight flight arrived in NYC, Patrick fell off the monkey bars and broke his elbow. A surgery and 3 pins, one week of rest and x-rays, and two followup visits later, we were still in NYC. Finally, we got to move down to TN at the end of September. It seemed like Murphy's Law wanted to win against our move. Badly. So many things kept going wrong. One after the other. I just kept pushing forward and trying to laugh it off. I began working with Bricks 4 Kidz in the afternoons and enjoyed being back in a familiar setting, though with different people. I just adore my bosses - especially Maria. She and I immediately found common ground and have become good friends in the two months I've been here. I could not be happier with my job and the people I work with. I am also on the sub list for Knox County Schools, but so far things have been so crazy I've yet to actually work a day. We have been busy unpacking, cleaning, organizing, prepping for Christmas, catching the boys up on missed schoolwork, and taking Patrick back to NYC for his follow-up appointments, since our insurance did not follow us to TN. Like I said - one thing after another.

One of the things that stands out in my mind that happened right after we got here to TN is news came that another girl was missing in VA. Hannah Graham had disappeared after a security camera spotted her being followed by a man. That man ended up being arrested, and finally, after 5 long years, Morgan Harrington's killer had potentially been caught. That brought on so many different emotions on so many levels. I had done the 5-mile kayak just a couple of weeks before that in memory of Morgan, and had even brought home a 2nd medal from the event to send to Morgan's parents. It took a while to process it out, and I'm still not sure how to explain what I'm feeling in regards to it. I did send the medal to Dan and Gil, and received a package in return. In the package, Gil's mom had sent a Help Save the Next Girl shirt, a print of a time line of Morgan's life, and a very touching letter. Part of it reminded me once again of my favorite thing to tell people: "You have the greatest impact on those you never knew were watching or listening." Adding to that, you never know just how many years your impact will continue in a life. Long after my time with Morgan, things we had shared and learned together became a part of her life and the way she gave back to this world. Now, it's my turn to help her continue to give back. I am partnering with both my CareRunners team and Help Save the Next Girl in 2015, hoping to carry Morgan's legacy and reach out to young women across the nation, keeping them safe from violent predators.  

So, here we are. It's December and, thanks to a friend who generously found a tree for us, our home is decorated and we are all anxiously awaiting Santa's return. It's been a rough couple of months, but I absolutely love our new home, our new neighborhood, our new friends and neighbors, and our boys' school & teacher. The people and the place are just awesome. The transitions, stress, finances, unpacking and other things associated with the move - not-so-awesome. But I know they will eventually get sorted out and things will be better down the road. It's just that I'm not the most patient person in the world, so I want things done now. Right now. Today. Yesterday even. I've been working a lot on letting it go and letting God take the wheels. He's managed to pull off one amazing miracle or blessing after another in response to every mishap or blow that has happened so far. It's been fun (?) to watch and experience. One thing is for sure: without Him, I would be in a crumpled heap in the middle of the floor, sobbing and wishing for a different life. Or at least all the stress to go away from this life. Instead, with Him, there is just an amazing peace and contentment. I can clearly see every single blessing and every time His hands move in my life. That part of this experience I wouldn't trade for anything. 

What is in store for 2015? Well, I was thrown into a director position with CareRunners, so I'm trying to get organized and ready to take over leadership of our team. It's a bit daunting, but I'm excited to see where it leads. Thanks to my CareRunners team and the great folks of the Blue Ridge Marathon, I finally have the opportunity to run a charity race in my hometown for the first time ever. Seven years of charity racing, and not once has a single race of mine been done in my hometown. That is to change in April when I run the Anthem Star 10K. I will be blogging about my training and the race as the new year rolls around. Also in 2015, I will hopefully be returning to Tahoe to defend my kayak title and try again to reach my goal time on my 10K. Those are really my only two big plans for 2015. I've learned not to plan much else. I'm all for God dropping something in my lap and letting me run with it on the go now. Wait - maybe I should rethink that statement... 

Until next time - Merry CHRISTmas! Go out and do something great - and be great at it! Reach out, serve others and love deeply. Life is short. Savor every moment and use the time you have to make someone else's life better.