Reflecting back on 2019

Reflecting back on 2019 ......  As I sit and think about this year there is one word that comes to mind over and over......  BLESSED.

At the end of 2018 I was recovering from my bike wreck and a missed Ironman race.  I wasn't sure how 2019 was going to go because 2018 had went so well up until my bike wreck.  I was scared to get excited about upcoming races.  I had learned from my bike wreck that all could be going very well in training leading up to a race and then in a blink of an eye everything changed!  So I took 2019 cautiously.  I mean I did look forward to the races I had signed up for, but I just didn't get all hyped up before hand.  I kept telling myself don't get too excited because something else could happen like the bike wreck.  But as the year progressed, I begin to realize more and more that you've just got to live life! Enjoy the day!! and be THANKFUL for it!  We are not promised tomorrow.  I think about Drew EVERY single day!  My husband keeps a picture of Drew on his nightstand that every day when I make the bed, I stop and pause looking at the picture.  I'm a bundle of emotions when I'm looking at that sweet gorgeous smile of his in the picture.  When you lose someone it really hits home that you need to go out and ENJOY life and for God's sake tell people you LOVE them.  Don't hold grudges.  Get over it and be KIND.  Spend time with your FAMILY.. no matter how big, how loud, how messy, how small, how unorganized, etc... just DO IT!  

I had a pretty busy year when I look back at all my races.  And again, I feel BLESSED that I am able to do all of this!  I have a wonderful family that supports me.  I have a great job that allows me to be able to pay for all these extra activities.  AND I have a GOD that has blessed me with health and the ability to accomplish all these things this year.  Some things were not easy this year like swallowing a DNF at Chatty Ironman.  But it taught me not to give up! Push forward! Stay the course! Let God be my anchor... and Guess what? I accomplished my goal of completing a Full Ironman in 2019. :>) And I meet a very sweet guy who encouraged me the whole time leading up to Florida.  He was at Chattanooga also and missed the time line.  He encouraged me to sign up for Florida like he had to try to complete his goal of also finishing a full Ironman within the time limit.  Almost every single day leading up to the Ironman in Florida he would send me messages of encouragement.  I have to say a BIG THANKS to MIKE!!  It has always amazes me the people God will bring into your life in certain moments when you need them.  I believe God spoke through Mike to me.  Such a sweet blessing!  Now I have many other friends who also helped me along the way.  There were my very faithful friends who each week asked me how training was going and they prayed for me and with me!  You know who you are! I don't know what I'd do without you guys! 18!!! and I could go on and on about my coach, Lisa.  She knew how I felt deep inside after my bike wreck.  She understood all the emotions I was going through.  She didn't push me to sign up for another race, but she was there for me!  She listened to me when I whined and she also told me when it was time to get over it and move forward.  I couldn't have done it without her! So thank you LISA!  AND to Jennifer my sweet friend who did much of the training with me as she planned to do the full Ironman also and ended up having her own bike wreck right before the big race..... You are and always will inspire me!  You are dedicated and hard working in all aspects of your training.   Do not let up! Keep moving forward! I look forward to running behind you very soon.  Love ya💕💕

Races completed in 2019 by Month:

January:

Steam Whistle 12K
QB 5K and Polar Plunge (yes I went in the cold ocean! it was actually FUN)

Louisiana Half Marathon (coldest race ever!! I never took off my gloves!) 

February:

PBP 20 for 20 and Jim's 50 miler! (it was awesome seeing Jim finish!)

Children's Classic 10K (Pushed Korbin, An ARC child)

March:

QB Duathlon

April:

Rise and Shine Half Marathon (Pushed Korbin again! an ARC child)

Dream Bike Ride - 65 miles

May:

Natchez Trace Bike Ride - 50 miles

Gulf Coast Half Ironman 70.3 (rough ocean swim, but I survived and finished!)

June:

Team Run4TheKids 5K for St. Jude

July:

Shark Run - 4th of July (SO HOT but Fun with my PPRF group)

September:

Ironman Chatty (118.4 miles finished)- swim & bike only (DNF... my stepping stone)

November:

Gulf Coast Full Ironman 140.6 miles (I finished!!.. Goal Achieved!)

Battleship 12K

Stennis Half Marathon

December:

St. Jude #39 Half Marathon (team raised close to $20,000 again! and my daughter did her first HALF marathon!!)

Gulf Coast Marathon #14 (Michelle got her sub 5 hour marathon!)

For the year my mileage totals:

Bike = 2,502.6 

Run = 851.5

Swim = 109.6

Or a total exercise miles of 3,463.7 miles for the year.  

Goals for 2020 .......... at this moment.... my goal is to ENJOY life!  I have a couple bucket list items for next year that I'm super excited about!  One major abbott marathon (Chicago)! YIPPIE  that will make 2 out of the 6 for me. 😍  I do plan to continue to cross train.  It just won't be as intense as this year.  I want to keep a good balance because who knows when I might up an decide to do another half or full ironman... 😏  yep, the day of the race I said those famous last words.. "never again"...   then gave it a few days and now I'm like... "hum, maybe again"... 😊

Oh and did I mention my son is getting married in 2020!!!!!! YEP!!!💒

And it will be the 7th year for Team Run4TheKids..... So 2020 is going to be an AWESOME year. 😀  I'm in the process of brain storming ideas for the team.  Seven has always been my favorite number.  Some consider it a lucky number so I'm trying to come up with ideas for Team Run4TheKids annual race that we will host in 2020 for our 7th year in a row!!! 💖

And you know what? I love training, well most days I do, there are always those days that even I don't want to get up.  But I love it because it improves my life in so many ways!  It makes me healthier, it makes me happier, and I get to go to races with so many friends and have some FUN!  and Yes, there are people that still ask me if I'm crazy.  Heck, even some of my grand kids tell me they don't know why I'd want to go run multiple miles or do all that I do.  I know it's just that they are too young to understand.  They don't get it yet.  But hopefully one day they will get it and they will look back and say, wow, that is my grandmother. 💖 However, I know not everyone will be a runner or want to be a runner.   Heck, my husband doesn't get it.  He never ran long distance so he's never understood my desire.  It's kind of like the saying in Ironman..  it's a finish line you have to cross to understand.  Well, long distance running is just like that.  You  kind of have to cross that finish line to understand. 💗

Let me also put a challenge out to you....   Go to the grocery store, buy some good foods like fresh veggies, meats, etc.  When you come home instead of putting it all away, put it all out on the counter and for 45 minutes to an hour chop, bake, roast ... etc.   When time is up take a look at what all you've done.  Put the food up in meal size containers and there you go... healthy lunches.  So when you are working and don't have time to run get food, or you are stressed and don't know what to eat... well now you have some good healthy options and don't grab that candy bar or chips! 😃

Here's a great blog post from a doctor on how to F.A.C.E the future and stay healthy after 40+ .. click the link and enjoy reading..

F.A.C.E. The future in the New Year


Here's to all of us F.A.C.E.... ing the future. 😎

"Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction." "Every moment is a fresh beginning." "Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming."