It’s been a few years since I’ve written a year-end reflection, for no other reason than I didn’t have much to say. This year feels different, though. Far from previous years, it revolved around life outside triathlon – and that was incredibly refreshing.
It wasn’t a conscious choice at first. I had full intentions of racing an early season 70.3 (in Hawaii) – until my hamstring had other ideas and kept me from running for nearly two months. Pesky as that injury was, it was also the catalyst for a pretty spectacular summer. And the exact summer I needed to fully recharge and honestly, to discover life outside of 17-hour training weeks.
Don’t get me wrong: I love triathlon and all the amazing it’s brought into my life (countless friendships, travel, learning I can do hard things, Nick!). But after seven years of life more or less revolving around all things swim bike run – it’s so easy to become all-consuming! – stepping away was great. Refocusing took some time, mostly because Nick was training for Louisville and the fomo was real when he’d leave for 7-hour Sundays. But once I embraced it, you guys – what a game-changer. It freed up time to catch up with friends over coffee, travel(!), for slow mornings of coffee and reading (42 books!), and the brain space to dive into a new job in cybersecurity and to think deeper about how I want to live my life. It also put a whole lotta money back in my bank account (triathlon is stupid expensive, amiright?!). But who am I kidding? Most of it went to home projects and a less but better (my 2020 mantra) non-spandex wardrobe.
So needless to say, non-triathlon life’s been great. And while I’m not sure if I’m racing a tri in 2020, what I do know for sure is that triathlon will always be part of my life. Kona will happen again! For now, though, I’m content staying fit (thank you, coach!) and working toward other goals.
With that, my top three non-triathlon highlights from 2019:
Marrying Nick in Kauai! It doesn’t get much better ♥
Exploring Norway with my sister and mom. We’ve long talked about doing this, but it never happened because I was always in the middle of a training block. Ten wonderful days exploring one of the most spectacular places on earth. More on this soon, I promise.
Turning 40. Um, whoa. How did that happen? (Like it was yesterday, I remember when my dad turned 40 – complete with a giant metallic gold lion and a “Honk, Tom’s 40 today!” sign in our front yard – so it’s a little surreal.) This birthday initially freaked. me. out., but after further reflection and a chat with a close friend, I’m approaching it from a place of gratitude. With arms open, I’m embracing this new decade (and age group!) and plan to live it intentionally and bravely, to the fullest, and filled with love and laughter. Also: the wrinkles seem to have appeared overnight – they’re hard-earned, damnit – but let’s be honest, I’d get botox. #sorrynotsorry
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