2010 in Review

I realize I've been completely absent from blogland, but the past few weeks have just been really, really needed relaxing/catch-up time. I know it's 1-1-11 and time to get ready for the new year, but I want to pause for just a second to look back on the past year.

2010 was not a year of neat checked boxes for me. I didn't achieve any new athletic feats or blog much. I started preparations for a marathon and a thesis and then, after careful (and correct, in retrospect) consideration, abandoned both. We lost two people we loved. Our ridiculous schedules put a strain on myself and my husband. 2009 was much simpler.

Summed up, this was my 2010:

• I continued with my beautiful little class of 3rd and 4th graders and 2 more classes in my grad school program.
• In March, I ran a half marathon that I hadn't properly trained for and really struggled the last 3 miles. I think I've FINALLY learned my lesson about undertraining!
• I finally broke down and bought a Garmin after a 10K where I really wished I had one.
• My husband's grandma became sick and passed away.
  
• My husband became a runner.
  
• I organized a 3 mile race with 116 participants!
• I taught swim lessons this summer for the first time in several years.
• I went back to tackle the Kure Beach Triathlon.
  
• Over the summer and fall, I worked for my school district in an internship with curriculum and technology.
  
• One of my best friends got married in Las Vegas and we had a lovely trip there.
• Two more of my childhood friends got married and I played the piano for their weddings.
• I helped to organize Take the Lake and ran the 15 mile course with my mom. It was a great run, but after that, I decided it would not be practical to continue training for a November marathon. I only ran 6 or 7 more times the rest of the year.
  
• Sarah and I ran the Warrior Dash in New York!
• I ran the Biggest Loser 5K in Myrtle Beach and ran alongside Bob Harper for a minute!
  
• My husband worked 7 days a week, pretty much every waking hour for months leading up to November 2nd and helped successfully re-elect our congressman.
  
• I took 9 hours of graduate classes and wrote my thesis proposal while working full time this fall. Between that, two trips to Iowa for my grandpa (which would have been worth it no matter what the time constraints), and the stress of my husband's schedule, October was a very difficult month for me.
  
• I hadn't run at all for over a month. I just felt like I could never sacrifice the time. Finally, I felt so stressed, I just put on my shoes, hit the ground and ran 5 miles. I expected the stress to melt away like it usually does when I run. It did while I was running. When I stopped, I immediately felt tense again. I ran once with my mom and aunt and then our local 8K, but I think that was it until December.
  
• My grandpa was diagnosed with cancer and we flew to Iowa to visit one more time. He passed away a few weeks later.
• My church nominated me as an elder.
  
• I decided to drop my thesis. I didn't need it for my degree and I decided it wasn't worth the time and work if it wasn't necessary.
  
• My husband and I took a trip in December sans cell phones, laptops, textbooks, and work. It was absolutely what we needed.
  

Looking back, I'm just surprised by much of the year was unplanned. On January 1, 2010, I knew I would run some races, but didn't have any of the above events planned. I didn't have any traveling plans, but I've ended up flying more in the latter part of this year than I have since the semester I studied abroad. I had no idea I would organize a new race and help manage another. No one could have anticipated losing two grandparents.

It is what it is though. I'm entering 2011 more prayerfully and stronger than any previous year. I do have some New Year's resolutions (we'll worry with those tomorrow), but I know despite all my plans, the things that will really define 2011 might be completely out of my control. It's a little scary, but a little exciting. Ready or not, it's a new year!