Tuesday, January 1, 2019

2018 in Review


2018.
It definitely was quite a year.

After being sidelined for three months (in 2017), from the sport that I love so much, 2018 was all about rallying back. It was a year of gratitude. It was a year of taking nothing for granted. It was a year of new adventure. And, it was a year full of action-packed fun, both in and out of my running shoes.

There were plenty of races.
For example:
*my first-ever 1-miler
*seven 5K's
*one 5-mile
*three 10K's
*one 20K
*six half marathons
*one full marathon
*one 76-mile team relay
*one stair climb event

There was lots of beautiful bling brought home.
In addition to lots of pretty event shirts, there also were numerous finisher medals. On occasion, there were some age group awards.

There were some great moments.
*My youngest daughter's first-ever race, the Dam to Dam 20K. Running her in, across her first finish line, is a memory I will treasure forever!

*Celebrating a finish line victory with the hubby, after his extensive summer of rehabbing his wonky knee.

There were some "WOW, I actually did THAT?!?" achievements.
Placing third in my first-ever 1-mile race, out of a field of 74 gals in my age group.



There were some new things added to my fitness regime.
HIIT workouts and speedwork and burpees, oh my!



There was a whole lotta redemption.
*Sully Freedom 5K, finally a 1st-place AG win (after four previous 2nd place finishes).

*Midnight Madness 10K, a 3rd place age group award after a humbling DNF two year's prior.

There was a major rally-back conquest.
Running my first marathon post-surgery, the Cannonball Marathon (my 8th marathon to date). This course was very hilly and mentally tough with its lack of crowd support and dangerous open highway segments. The finish line endorphins were oh-so-sweet, though.

There was an awesome blogger meet-up in Chicago, during the Rock 'n' Roll ReMix weekend!

There was a horrific tragedy, that hit very close to home.
Mollie Tibbitts, a friend of our youngest daughter, went out for a run and never made it back home. The entire nation, and the running community in general, rallied in support of her family and runners everywhere. There was a memorial run held, in Mollie's honor, on the route that she never finished, and over $20,000 in donations were made to the Stead Family Children's Hospital at the University of Iowa in her honor. The legacy she left behind is a mighty powerful one.

And, finally, there was the annual Runner's World Winter Run Streak.
This year, the run streak was the longest one ever, at 41 days. I was able to run every run outside, finishing with a grand total of 88 streaking miles on New Year's Day (in the company of friends).
Image may contain: 6 people, people smiling, outdoor

I have to confess (runfess???) that I'm a little sad to see 2018 end, The memories and achievements were pretty awesome. Alas, I am looking forward to ushering in 2019. I look forward to all that is yet to come!

How did 2018 play out for you? Any big goals met? Favorite races run? Setbacks that you were able to overcome?

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Marc and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner
Running Coaches Corner Logo
**And with Nicole and Annmarie for the Wild Wednesday Workout

***By the way...are you following me on social media? You can find me at these various platforms:
Let's connect : Facebook Instagram  Pinterest Twitter

38 comments:

  1. What an awesome year for you! I forgot that you did some many races in 2018. It was definition of a "comeback year"!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kim!!! I am so thankful for 2018, and how everything played out. Running is such a gift! (and so are runner friends) ;-)

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  2. You really did have a year full of miles and lots of smiles. I was so glad that I got to be a small part of your highlight reel. Can't wait until CB!

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    1. Oh, Deborah, you were more than a "small part" of my highlights ;-) You were one of my biggest cheerleaders ;-)

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  3. Wow, you had a great running year! Quite a comeback from your injury the year before. Looking forward to following your adventures in 2019!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie ;-) I wouldn't wish an emergency surgery on anyone, or a 3-month recovery with no running. But, it truly gave me such a great perspective on everything. Thanks for being along on my journey ;-)

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  4. Sounds like a great 2018 overall! That's so cool that you got to celebrate finish lines with your daughter and husband :)

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    1. The finish lines are SO awesome when you get to experience them with others ;-)

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  5. Wow. What a year. I bet 2019 will be even better (if possible).
    2018 was kind to me - lots of races and runs with friends and no injuries.

    Wish I signed up for CB. I need to find another race to meet up bloggers. NYC anyone?

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  6. Awesome job in 2018! SO glad that there was no more knee drama! That was crazy!

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    1. ha ha! The knee drama was totally a blind-side experience LOL I'm glad I didn't have that kind of drama this year ;-)

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  7. For someone that doesn't consider herself a racer, that was a lot of races! I am not sad to see 2018 go, and am definitely hoping for a better 2019! Although I think there will actually be much less racing in 2019, but only time will tell.

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    1. Well, I should clarify...I LOVE races, I just do not consider myself a competitive racer. I do the races for the fellowship and excitement, not for the "thrill" of racing against others. I didn't realize how many races I'd done until I tallied up the totals LOL

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  8. What a fantastic year you had. Lots of races and great finishes! Here's to an awesome, kick ass 2019!

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  9. Your comeback was so strong. Congratulations on a fantastic year!

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    1. Thanks, Janelle!! I sometimes feel like my comeback is still in-process, and that's a good thing ;-)

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  10. You crushed it! Surgery made you stronger than ever :). 2018 was up and down for me (in terms of running). I had my new half PR but some not-so-great races in there, too. I'm excited for what 2019 will bring.

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    1. Although 2018 was a very fulfilling year, I did have some frustrating moments, and a few races that took a lot more effort than they should have required. But, that's all good. It would be b.o.r.i.n.g. to not have any lessons learned ;-)

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  11. So many races, and I love your joyful and colourful photos. Happy 2019 running!

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  12. Such a great year for you! You did more than rally back - you crushed it! So happy I got to meet and hang out with you in Chicago! Hope 2019 is good to you :)

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    1. I am SOOO glad we got to hang in Chicago, too! Reunion? ;-)

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  13. What an amazing year you have had! And a whole lotta bling! How special to have run with your daughter. My sond and I do our marathons 'together', but of course he finishes a good 2-1/2 to 3 hours before I do!

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    1. Watching the daughter cross the finish line was such an amazing thing to witness! When she grabbed my hand and started cheering and screaming at her triumph...oh, it was such an incredible moment ;-)

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  14. And rally you did! This was an amazing year for you and I am so glad to see how you have come swinging back from that injury to crush every goal you set! 2019 is going to be epic for you!

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    1. I'm hoping for a great 2019. I was able to end 2018 feeling strong....let's do this!

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  15. I think I've said this to you before... You define the word "consistency" for me. I don't think I know anyone more consistent. You just keep going, no matter what is on the table or what the weather looks like, you make a plan and those miles get done. Going into 2019 that's what I want to develop for myself and having you as a role model makes such a difference - because of you "consistency" is not just a word, you've given it such meaning to me. Did I count 20 races?! Wow, just wow! Really looking forward to what you will get up to in 2019!

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    1. Awh, thanks so much ;-) It's been so inspiring for me to follow YOU and all the progress you've made. Happy 2019!!

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  16. Wow! I loved reading this recap of your year...thats a lot of races and medals too!! You always inspire me, looking forward to reading about your 2019 adventures :-)

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  17. you had an AMAZING year Kim and I'm really glad I've been able to experience it "with" you from across the pond.


    i think my most favorite photo is the one of you and your daughter at the Dam to Dam. An amazing achievement for a daughter obviously inspired by her mom's tenacity.

    my year was ok, I'm happy to start a new one though :)

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    1. Thanks, Renee ;-) I'm glad you were there with me, from across the pond ;-) It would be so much fun to do a race with you sometime. Happy 2019, let's make it great ;-)

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  18. That's so awesome that you ran so many races + got to run one with your husband! Great job on your AG wins too! I'm really glad you're not having any more knee drama!

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    1. I'm thankful the knee is all better, especially the lovely 6-inch scar across the top of it LOL

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  19. 76 mile relay, whoa! Happen to have a link to that? I think it was before I was following you.
    Congrats on an amazing recovery year with such progress. Beautiful to share races with your daughter and husband

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    1. Here's the link....https://kimrunsonthefly.blogspot.com/2018/05/lets-huddle-market-to-market-relay-2018.html

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