2015: My Year in Review

Unpredictable. Unforeseen. WTF.

I'd actually probably take those two words and abbreviated phrase to describe my 2015. In reality any year in anyone's life can probably be described with those two words and abbreviated phrase, but I'm actually sitting down and thinking about it. Reflecting. Wondering. WTF.



January, 2015: I wanted to run a 5k on January 1st. Not only did I do that but it was also my fastest 5k of the year. Two days later I did an indoor triathlon. I knew nothing of the sport. I swam (if you'd call it that) for 10 minutes, biked for 30 minutes, and ran for 20 minutes. I began that day in absolute nerves, and then lived the next few days on an absolute high that I had completed it. I was so mesmerized by the experience I signed up for a Sprint Distance Triathlon in June and Will and I decided to tackle the Chicago Triathlon in August. It literally only took 60 minutes (the time of the indoor triathlon) to convince me maybe I could do something pretty grand. January also found me experiencing the perks of dating a chef. Don't get me wrong, having restaurant quality meals at home is a definite perk. Being a part of dining experiences in public where a Top Chef winner brought me my meal in the finest dining experience of my life is something I won't soon forget. I also won't soon forget his oxtail tea I had to try. No. Just no. Gross.

Commitment Day 5k

Dinner at Intro

February, 2015: I made a tough decision. A very hard decision. A decision I don't talk about. A decision I cry about. A decision that has me crying as I type this. I decided to re-home my pups; Boskydell and Makanda. They couldn't live with Will and I and I spent months shifting them around, visiting when I could, relying on friends or paying way too much in boarding fees just trying to find a solution for us to be together again. A solution was presented to me. A solution that ended with a happy ending for them. They have a yard. They have love. They have a schedule that's not as crazy as mine. They never had a yard to run freely in, not ever in the entire time they brought me love and joy in life. I don't talk about them much anymore, it still breaks my heart into so many pieces. Accepting the offer for them to have a better life, the life Boskydell probably always dreamed of running until he was exhausted; having the knowledge to accept that offer makes me feel better, wise and like I'm not a horrible pet mother. I know they are doing great, happy pups. And in time the decision now 10 months removed will hurt less. It also hurts less knowing that when a decision has to be made about them I won't be the one heartbroken saying goodbye. I've done that, and when they were still healthy, happy, lively. They brought me life, love, healing. I have the memories and photos of us, even videos. And to know they are doing the same for someone else who was in great need of life, love, and healing ... it makes it sting less.

Boskydell and Makanda being the sweet, loving dogs they are.

March, 2015: I found myself more active. I was going to Master's Swim. Let me just say, the name is more intimidating than the swim itself. That's not me saying that it was splashing around in the water for few minutes. Master's Swim is great training, it is hard work. It helped me, it continues to help me. I still can't get my left arm out of the water, but I'm starting to be convinced I never will, that's just how I swim ... and I'm swimming ... that's what matters. It was also in March that I had to give a formal notice at my now former job. I decided to leave the IT Industry because I was bored. My coworkers were not boring, but for me, the work was boring. It was not an easy decision. I was torn. I had to channel, listen, and do what was best for me. I would be commuting less, working closer to home and the gym. I was entering a creative field. When I lay it out like that the decision should have been a no-brainer. It wasn't that easy. It still isn't that easy. I also found myself picking up my loaner road bike from my best friend, the bike I'd be racing on in 2015. The bike I would eventually have to learn how to ride.

Trying out my loaner road bike and on a trainer for the first time.

April, 2015: I said goodbye to my boys, my geeks. I left IT and went out in all of my true, LT (as they call me) glory. I tackled my second indoor triathlon. I felt better prepared the second go around. In fact, I biked the most miles of any woman that day. And right after that event I got ready and I went to a bridal shower for a dear friend. There's no stopping me. No excuses. I'm always on the go. It was also in April that instead of Team Fitness I started Boot Camp. Literal rope slamming, sprint running, tractor tire flipping, jump roping, kettle bell swinging, box jumping, boot camp. At first I wondered what I had gotten myself into. And then I was able to flip a tractor tire end over end, over and over.

One last photo in my now former IT life.

May, 2015: I ran a nighttime blacklight 5k with a dear friend. I got up the next morning and ran my first half marathon. 13.1 miles. Out and back through the forest preserves. I ran a half marathon! Just 4 months prior I had only wanted to run a 5k, and that day alone I ran 10 miles more than the 5k I set out to do. It was an experience. I wore my medal all day long. And then for the next two days I walked slowly and with a bit of muscle pain. I finished the month running a 5k bubble run with my mom. We didn't actually run much it was raining out and we were going through bubbles. It was fun to see families doing the run, especially when the bubbles covered the kids entirely. I said at the time ... never again ... and I didn't mean it.

Coco and I at the Blacklight Run

My first half marathon finish

Bubble run with my mom

June, 2015: I put on pink from head to toe. I ran a 5k for a sorta local girl battling and beating cancer. The run was great, the set up was so organized for running through neighborhoods, and the people running and walking alongside of me hda no complaints and were there in masses surprising the crowds. I also turned 34 in June, well Will and I both did since we ironically (and very weirdly) share the same birthday, only 5 hours apart. It was also just five days after I turned 34 I crossed my first Sprint Distance triathlon. It was surreal, it was humbling, it was amazing.

My first sprint distance triathlon finish

July, 2015: I ran my second half marathon on the hottest day in Chicago in six years. It was exciting to run the streets of Chicago. It was hot to run the streets of Chicago. And right after I ran the streets of Chicago, I showered and headed to the bridal shower of a family friend. A few weeks later my family met with the bride to be and did a 5k in memory of her mom. It was also in July that I witnessed a dear friend get married in a ceremony that was truly a summation of her, her husband, their children. It was fun, it was unique, and it was an honor to be there. July also brought Open Water Swimming. No more pool swimming. Well, ok, there was pool swimming, but I had to tackle Lake Michigan, figure out how to put a wetsuit on, and swim. Something I truly never expected to not only do, but voluntarily do ... and for fun.

Attending a bridal shower after a half marathon

Open Water Swim Practice

August, 2015: This was the month my whole year had been leading up to. The Chicago Triathlon. I was still practicing, trying to master open water swimming and Will and I were on our way to an OWS Practice when I dropped the bomb. I hadn't yet completed my second Sprint Distance triathlon, and Will had not yet completed his first Sprint Distance triathlon, but I revealed to him the next Triathlon I wanted to do. IM70.3 Florida. Not exactly local. Not exactly small. We agreed that if we made it through Chicago ... Florida was next. We made it through Chicago, and within one second of each other. It was an amazing, emotional, tiring day. We did it. I also found myself writing a letter to myself, the person I was a year ago reflecting on a journey I never imaged to be on; a journey I do not yet quite understand.

Chicago Triathlon Finishers

September, 2015: The weekend following Labor Day was a pretty big and busy weekend for me, and I did no racing. I cheered Will on as he completed Tough Mudder Wisconsin as two of our friends were starting Ironman Wisconsin two hours away. After the completion of Tough Mudder we returned to Madison and witnessed amazing feats and accomplishments. We saw our friends alongside strangers complete 140.6 miles. It was truly emotional and amazing to witness. I attended the wedding of a family friend, I remember when she was born. I finished September running my third half marathon, and although it was my slowest half of the year, it was also the half marathon that up to that point I felt the most consistent during.

Ironman Wisconsin, 2015

Chicago Half Marathon

October, 2015: I did no racing in October. I actually was pretty much done with my racing year and felt lost. I did find myself volunteering at the Chicago Marathon which in and of itself was an experiencing seeing all walks of life, all shapes, sizes, all costumes, all serious, all not serious runners go by my aid station at mile 21. It was also in October that after 14 years I feel like I have come to terms, well not entirely, but accepted a lot of what had happened to me on October 17, 2001. It's progressive. I'm progressive. But I'm getting there. It was also in October that I was selected as an Ambassador for Momentum Jewelry. A company that encompasses positive and outgoing spirit. A company a year ago I knew nothing about. A true honor to be selected to represent them based on who I am.

This is a photo from a wedding I attended in September and really summarizes who I am. It became available in October. 

November, 2015: I thought my racing year was over ... and then I ran my fourth half marathon this year. This was also my fastest half marathon ever. The conditions were not ideal. The course was not ideal. But let's be honest, no race ... no situation is.

After the Schaumburg Half Marathon

December, 2015: That brings us to now. December. I've lived through, tackled, outsmarted and out predicted even myself, let alone those around me. I had to say goodbye, of sorts, to my favorite English speaking band. It was rough. It was weird. I had one of my best friends by my side which made it better. I was inspired. I was motivated. I look back and I have been all year. I look at photos and I realize I've done this. And with December also brought the beginning of my training for my next great adventure and a year from now I hope to be just as excited writing about it as well.

At the final Kill Hannah show.

I cried a lot this year. Some good. Some bad. Some frustrating. Some happy. Some sad. I accomplished things I didn't even know of, let alone think possible or for myself. I said hellos. I said goodbyes. I'm not sure I'd change anything about my 2015. I could look back and say I shouldn't have done this, I could have done that differently ... but does any of it matter? No. And me realizing that, is my greatest accomplishment this year.