Skip to main content

The Year in Review

What a way to end the year!! I started the Runner's World Run Streak on Thanksgiving Day and did the last run of the year tonight. Tomorrow's 5K will be the last official day of the Run Streak - but I've already crossed over 100 miles just during the streak... I honestly can't believe I'm still in it - I figured I'd overdo it at some point and not be able to run. I did certainly learn the power of the easy run though! I'm very happy with that.

At the first of this year I was struggling so much physically and even emotionally. I was so unsure of what the year would bring and how much running I would be able to do. I've had several times when it was really tough-and-go and I've had a few forced vacations. But I'm finishing the year on a strong (and happy) note.

The challenges I faced this year have taught me a lot - really about myself; and they make this moment of victory just that much sweeter.

Let me start with what I have learned. I've learned my body can do a lot more if I treat it right; and that I'm worth it. This is my "race" and I'm the only one who can run my steps - easy or difficult - they are all mine. If you stick with it - you can do anything - maybe not the way you thought - or planned - or even wanted to do it - but you can still do it. Hope is still alive - even in the midst of pain - and sometimes you just have to stop. Stopping doesn't mean it's over. It means you look around and find another way - a different way - but a way! And when the struggles are harder than you imagined and complicated by multiple facets--- victory brings tears of joy. They just remind you that every step is a victory!

 I think on this last day of the year I can honestly say this year - I won. It might not have been pretty or fast and maybe I didn't PR (on any race this year) but I won. I finished. I'm still going. I win.
This year I did only 22 races (low number for me) that was 10-5Ks, 2-8Ks, 5-10Ks, 4-Half marathons and one 11K. I placed in my age group in 4 of the 5 10Ks I did... this was the year of the 10K for sure! The picture of my 2015 medals says it all - Hello, my name is Jeanie and I'm a bling whore! lol

I'm actually looking forward to next year and I'm lining up my races. I'm starting with a NYD 5K and then adding a first ever trail race in January. I can't wait to see what I learn about running and myself in the year ahead! But no matter what - as long as I'm stepping -

Every Step's A Victory

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hello - It's Been Awhile

I am sorry, I had to take a break and get myself focused. However, I haven't stopped, and I've been quite busy really. There's been a lot going on and honestly, I've been living out the every step's a victory   mantra. There's been lots of struggles and tons of ups and downs. But I have to say each step toward a healthy, whole life is still victorious. As a matter of fact, revisiting that is why I decided to get the blog back up and going again. I did get a website set up, you can check it out if you'd like. I still have to get the blog up and going on the site It won't be like this one, it will have more general information about healthy eating, exercising and things that are not as much about my own journey, it'll be more educational. Check out the Every Step's A Victory site and let me know what you think so far. For me life continues to be a struggle, I think that may hold true for most people who deal with a chronic condition. It seem...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cardiologist Update

So I guess I'm just going to have to get used to going to cardiologists and doctors. My primary care sent me to a cardiologist at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. I think I like this guy (as much as I can like docs). He was very kind, and looked me in the eye when he was talking with me and I liked that. Of course I gave them my standard "abnormal but not bad" EKG. I also explained about my meds and how the other doc wouldn't call me back. He told me not to trust a doctor who didn't call you back. (I was surprised.) He said it's an integrity issue and it sends the signal that they don't care when they don't call you back. I agreed. At the end of the appointment - he gave me a gentle hug and promised to take good care of me. That was nice I thought. (Even though I'm not too keen on "being taken care of.") My blood pressure was great- didn't even mention taking meds for that. I have to say that's a HUGE win. I believe the drastic ...
3 comments
Read more

Cowtown Challenge Done!

This was one awesome weekend! I did finish the Cowtown Challenge by doing a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on Saturday. In between I rode bikes around with one of my friends. I enjoyed the camaraderie of all the runners and the general atmosphere around the Cowtown is just awesome - Oh - and I met Jeff Galloway himself! He is so kind and encouraging - just like Mark Bravo. I really felt very under-trained for this particular event. I hadn't run much in the last two weeks and had only done one 9+ miler in the last month. I usually have a few 10 milers in, but not this time. But - it all worked out. One of the biggest struggles I have is simply not knowing what my body is going to do on any given day. I have to keep my attitude straight and just be "okay" with whatever I have to work with. Doing a race while traveling adds another struggle - trying to eat out without taking in too much salt. Hey- the struggle is real! One night we ate at Chili's and I asked fo...
2 comments
Read more