2015: Year in Review

Wow, what a year 2015 was! I know I say this about every year but each year keeps getting better and better.

On the running front, 2015 was the year of many milestones.

IMG_0320—I ran my first international marathon (and race)! I ran the Virgin Money London Marathon in April 2015 and while the race was not what I had hoped it to be, it was an incredible experience. My sentiments post-race helped me find my love for running all over again. I also fundraised over $1,800 for AgeUK for the race.

—I completed 15 races ranging from 1-mile to marathon. Last year I was excited for all the PRs and while it proved hard to beat, I managed to pull out a couple of course PRs this year.

DSC00521—I’m most excited for my running milestones this year. I just started distance running three years ago and in that time I have completed 8 marathons, 10 half marathons, and over 4,300 miles! To say I am addicted is an understatement.

—I will end this year with over 1,300 miles under my belt which tops last year’s record! 1,300+ miles for me is over 212 hours of running, almost 300+ miles further than the distance from NYC to Orlando and almost 4 times the distance from NYC to Montreal.

—In July, I officially became a Road Runners Club of America coach. I am excited for my certification and to help others achieve their running goals.

IMG_3418.JPG—This year, I also helped coach the Athletes to End Alzheimer’s NYC Marathon team. It was definitely a different and rewarding experience from the other side and I am fortunate for this experience. By assisting the team, I ran the NYC Marathon this year with a very different perspective and enjoyed every minute of it.

For as much as I love running, I love traveling just as much. I wish I could travel as much as I run but I appreciate every chance I get to run while on vacation. 2014 was certainly the year of travel and in 2015, we were still jet setting every opportunity we had.

—This year, I logged miles in every city/country we visited: St. Maarten, Pittsburgh, London, Athens, Santorini, Hartford, Block Island, Orlando (twice), Bermuda, and Montreal.

We’re fortunate to have so many opportunities to travel for ourselves, for marathons, and to travel to spend time with family and friends.

IMG_3106This year we also sold our apartment and moved from Hoboken to Stamford for my new job. This is by far one of the hardest decisions and changes we made in recent years. I still look back on the last couple of months wondering how we made all of this happen so quickly and my heart still swells thinking about our time in Hoboken. However, we’re looking forward to what 2016 brings in our new adventure in Connecticut!

Without a doubt, I am fortunate for the best friends, family, and husband a girl could have. I know all of this running, traveling, and changing jobs/moving would not be possible without everyone’s support and love and I am forever grateful.

Thank you for a wonderful 2015 and an even better 2016!

 

Happy Thanksgiving (one day late)!

This Thanksgiving, and not just on Thanksgiving (or the day after) I am grateful for opportunities and support.

This year I’ve been fortunate to have any many opportunities on both the personal and professional fronts.

IMG_4290With my some changes at Stevens, it presented me with an opportunity to reflect on what I wanted to do professionally and the best career path. I’m fortunate for that opportunity because that is how I ended up where I am now, three days into my new job, which has been great so far.

This new job is what led Josh and I to sell our apartment in Hoboken and move to Connecticut. While, I am still bittersweet about the move, I know this opportunity was one that I would regret if I didn’t act on it. I miss Hoboken, our old apartment, and the easy access to NYC very much especially since we’re still living in a sea of boxes but I am grateful to be in this position. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of Josh and our families.

IMG_4296And on a personal/running note, this was definitely not the year for PRs but a lot of great milestones and experiences. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to run my first international race, the Virgin Money London Marathon in April with the AgeUK team. Later this fall, I ran my 10th half marathon in New York and my 8th marathon and 3rd NYC Marathon amidst a stressful time in our lives wrapping up my old job and preparing for the move. Training for and running any race requires the support of many people – those who you live with; those who have to hear you talk about it nonstop – be it coworkers, friends, family, the lunch guy or any one who will listen; and your teammates and coaches. While the race is an individual effort, the accomplishment is a team effort. I’m fortunate for all the support I continuously receive for all the crazy running adventures I go on.

2015 has been a great year and it’s not over yet (no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving!). I will do my annual year-in-review recap in 2016 but in the meantime I’m so grateful for the opportunities and support.

Happy Day After Thanksgiving everyone! I wish you wonderful food and a great time with family and friends and some Black Friday shopping.