Like all years, 2011 was not without its challenges and tough spots. But it also provided lessons learnt, potential for growth, and a heck of a lot of joy. How am I going to top it?
The year started out great and then came February. It all got rough when we went on a family vacation in Florida that should not have been. It was terrible. It was cold, the hotel was under construction, and I got really sick. Pneumonia. It was dreadful. I felt very sorry for myself until I got home and realised someone else was suffering much worse. We returned to a very sick dog that needed some grace. It was time to let go and say goodbye to my long time friend and companion "Baxter". He had been my buddy and had my back for just about 11 years. It was a tough loss. I found a great friend in Trish who showed up and walked in the cold and helped me to cry it out. I knew she was a great lady, but that day I really learned how special she was and how helpful she could be to me.
March continued on a slippery slope. I was training for Around the Bay and doing well. I was working toward a goal and was very proud of myself. I was going to hot yoga regularly and was learning to connect with my body in a new way. I was training hard and I was doing well. Then it happened. Sickness struck again. With only 2 days before the race I was diagnosed with strep throat and my race was about done. In my stubborn self, I was unable to let it go so I had to toe the start line. This lead to a wounded pride and a DNF in the race. I only made it 21km. Looking back on it I realise that I never should have started. I should have been good to myself and stayed home and saved it for another day. But I went out and ran in the race and made it farther than I had ever gone before. I think there is some type of victory there.
March took me on a different Journey as I worked my way through a "30 day challenge" in Hot Yoga. It was liberating, tough, and an achievement I am proud of. It made me stronger and prepared me for quiet time as I sat in a room in isolation following radiation of my thyroid. It was a tough week but I made it through and came to the other side. My thyroid is now gone, but so are my symptoms and I finally sit in the "normal" range. I feel great.
April, May and June were spent chasing dreams and promises of big jobs closing but there never seemed to be enough money coming in.The roof was leaking and there was damage in my computer room. Then work finally broke and I had the money to fix it. I also learned how special my nephews, brother in law, and brother were. They all showed up to help me remove a tree, fix the roof, and move on to better things.
The summer lead to a great Triathlon Season. I set a personal best and competed in good shape and with a happy heart. I was very proud of what I worked for and how my body responded. I was also happy that my family and friends showed up like never before and cheered me on. It felt so amazing and I felt so very blessed. I knew that I was for sure one of the lucky ones.
Then came the fall. Work moved forward and I got really busy. I was very happy to have large projects close and not enough time to fit it all in on some days. It was so nice to be busy after 2 years of work that were dicey and tough to get through. I made plans for the future and trained for my very first 1/2 marathon. Then I ran in and finished (2) 1/2 Marathons in 3 weeks. I took 16 minutes off of my time in the second race and felt very happy and lucky again.
So this is what I know. Life is not without challenges. Some of them we create, and some of them come to us to see how we will manage in the face of struggle. I welcome the challenge because it makes the victories and high points so much sweeter.
I plan on running and finishing the Around the Bay in 2012. I have a trainer and will be stronger and faster and leaner than ever before. I plan on completing an Olympic Distance Triathlon this summer, and I plan on running the Road to Hope 1/2 marathon again.
I will continue to work on myself. I will become stronger, more focused, more disciplined and more relaxed. I will spend time with my friends, with my family and my dog. I will visit Arizona again this year, and I will give back more than ever before in new and different ways.
What I know for sure is I am stronger than I ever imagined and blessed in ways beyond measure. I am lucky to have peace and joy in my life and blessed to be thankful and appreciative for all that comes my way.
Cheers to you all as you look back, I hope you like what you see. As you look forward, I hope you are able to make a plan that fits your life and gives you something to strive for. May we all have a year full of love, life, happiness and good health. All the rest is icing on the cake.
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