Reflecting on the year

I'm sure that most people would agree that their 2017 didn't necessarily go as planned.  This is especially true for me when it comes to my running and fitness goals.  I was perfectly on target until the summer when I had a miscarriage and it threw me for a loop.  I basically shut off for an entire month.  Then in August, I got back on track and kept going because I knew I would be running the EQT Ten Miler in November.  I stayed super focused (and even ran on vacation).  But since then, I've gotten off track.  I've only run about three times since Thanksgiving and I've definitely been making plenty of bad decisions in regards to my food choices.  It hurts to admit that, but I think it is an important admission.


As the year is coming to a close, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on 2017.  I could beat myself up over coming so far but not coming far enough.  I could be mad that some of those pounds I lost came back on.  I could be frustrated that some of the seconds I shaved off of my pace crept back on.  And honestly, I am a little disappointed in myself.  But instead of holding on to that disappointment and looking back with negativity, I'm choosing to be positive and look at how far I've come.


In the beginning of 2017 I was winded after only a few seconds of running.  It took me over an hour to run a 5k.  I can now complete a 5k in around 47 minutes.  It isn't where I had hoped to be at the end of 2017, but I'm still ahead of where I was this time last year.  I've also completed a 10k, a ten miler, a half marathon, two 8ks and several 5ks.  Those are things that 2016 me would never have thought possible or even attempted to try.  I even had a moment when talking about the Turkey Trot when I said "it is only five miles."  Words that definitely would not have come out of my mouth in 2016.  Sure, I have a long way to go, but I'm strong willed and I will get there.  It is just taking me longer then I expected.


Focusing on my fitness and goals related to fitness had other side effects as well.  I've mentioned before that it helped me find myself again and become a more self confident, daring person.  I went zip lining when I was in Las Vegas.  I met friends for indoor rock climbing.  I tried roller skating.  I sang a trio in front of a room full of people.  (most people know I sing, but I'm most comfortable in groups, so singing with four or less people is slightly terrifying to me).  These may seem like simple things, but they are all things I was scared of and wouldn't have tried until fairly recently.  Working on myself in 2017 helped me get to a place where yes, these things were still a bit scary, but I had the confidence to be able and willing to try.  I can't say I wasn't scared of failing or falling, but I knew that if I did, I'd have the confidence to get back up.

These are the things that I love to keep in mind when I get frustrated at letting myself get off track.  I know a lot of us had less then stellar years in 2017 for a wide variety of reasons.  While I think it is important to take a look at our failures and downfalls, it is even more important to find our triumphs and strengths.    Where did you find success in 2017?  What is something that went right?  What are you proud of?  Find something positive from your 2017 and take that feeling into 2018 with you.  You at the end of 2018 will be grateful for taking that positivity into the new year.