December demands reflection. Before the calendar flips to another year, I want to take some time to reflect on 2017. It was a terrible racing year for me but it was a fantastic year of living! The year had no particular theme so I will recall the many themes of my 2017 and try not to bore you to tears.
2017 Was The Year Of…
TRAVEL
Oh where to begin? I know — HAWAII!
Going to the big island with my husband was absolutely the highlight of my year. I somehow managed to not have a heart attack during the hours upon hours of flying and, once there, had such a blast running and riding the Kona Ironman course (small, small portions of it) and hanging out with an amazing group of friends. If there was one vacation I would want to do every single year, it would be THIS one.
There was also so much fun to be had snowboarding in Vermont, a homecoming for my dad to Cuba (and a race that wasn’t meant to be), two glorious weeks in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and an unforgettable 13.1 in Las Vegas to cap it all off.
I love watching the boys continue to become skiers! It’s exhausting work though…
Cuba was such an amazing experience, except for the vertigo and DNS…
Cape Cod for two weeks this summer was exactly what we all needed!
Running the Las Vegas RNR Half Marathon was the perfect way to end the year!
2017 Was The Year Of…
The Dog
I kinda wish I had a take back on this one. Although I absolutely love my StarFire, she hates everyone else and it’s ridiculously stressful. Regardless, it’s just another adventure we had and the boys love her no matter what. Time will tell if she’s still with us in 2018. I hope so.
2017 Was The Year Of…
Living Like You Were Dying
It sounds morbid, but it’s really not. Since I turned the age my mom was when she lived the last year of her life (42), I decided to throw a huge party to celebrate, asking the guests to give me the gift of setting an intention to live this year as if it were the last one.
I absolutely did.
I said no when I would usually have said yes, even though I really wanted to say no. If you’re a woman, you probably understand this!
I especially said no to racing because it just didn’t feel right.
I took chances.
I took vacations.
I took myself less seriously.
I tried to enjoy even the most frustrating times with my boys.
I LIVED.
2017 Was The Year Of…
Taking A DNS
I only raced one major triathlon last year and took three DNS (did not starts) including the USA Triathlon National Championships.
I have zero regrets.
I listened to my heart and went with what I really wanted to do. I still enjoyed every bit of swimming, running and cycling, I just didn’t particularly feel like competing. I was living like I was dying and I have never felt better.
The one major Olympic distance race I did was truly spectacular. Not because I raced well (I didn’t) but because my kids ran to the finish line with me. I will never forget it.
2017 Was The Year Of…
Live Concerts
We have been on a tear where live music is concerned and I absolutely love it. Mohegan Sun Casino is only about an hour from our home and they get the best bands and musicians to play there. My husband and I had our very first date at Mohegan 15 years ago so it’s meaningful to us…and Bar American serves the best espresso martinis…but really, it’s the music!
Not all the shows we saw we at Mohegan (shocking!) but some of the best included Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, Kenny Chesney and Katy Perry. A highlight was seeing Billy Joel at Fenway Park and screaming all the lyrics with total strangers. #WeDidn’tStartTheFire
2017 Was The Year Of…
Being Grateful
I know it sounds corny but I was truly grateful for everything I was able to do and, everything I chose not to do this past year. I became more of myself through not racing and realized racing and training are what I do, not who I am. At the end of the day the only thing that truly matters is my health and being surrounded by people I love…most of the time.
I hope 2018 brings more of the same. Actually, screw that — I will MAKE 2018 bring more of the same and I hope you do too.
I will be taking a blog break (obviously I’m exhausted from all this traveling and concert going) and will return at some point in the new year.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours! I hope everyone gets a trip to Hawaii…
[Tweet “The Rundown is reviewing 2017 a little differently and mostly in pictures – check it out! #yearinreview #train4life”]
How was your 2017?
Finish this sentence — 2017 was my year of…
You had an amazing year! The only bad thing? I didn’t get to see your smiling face in person at all. Booo! At least you can raise me up from afar. 2017 was my year of…I don’t know. Seeing how much shit I can deal with? Oh, wait. That’s every year. Lol! Happy Holiday’s to you and your family!
I know! I have to make it to the retreat this year but, if not, we need a back up plan!!! Miss you 🙂
You had a great year! I haven’t started working on my recap yet (the RA anniversary doesn’t count). It’s hard to sum it all up in one post. But yep, grateful is how I feel too.
Except for the dog. With you on that. She is the reason we can’t have nice things in our house…. or people over…
You definitely need a separate recap for the year – I can’t wait to read it!!
The dog is going to kill me in 2018…or she may kill someone else. It will be a close call.
What an amazing year! It was definitely filled with so much love, family, and friend! I especially loved that you spoke about your DNS. I truly believe if our hearts just aren’t in it, then we shouldn’t force ourselves to race and possibly hurt ourselves. Hope you have better luck with your pup. Ours was a bit too much at first but she has been socialized and is doing much better now!
Thank you so much! Yes, totally have to gather some courage and DNS if your heart is not in it. After the first one, it got easier 🙂
We have tried SO many things with this dog but hopefully more socialization and time will help.
It was the year of living like you’re dying, so I think living took priority over racing as it always should… I love your family pic at the end there. 2017 was the year I had the rug pulled out from under my feet… learning to find a new rug to walk on and grateful that running is there to help me do that. Hm… since I’m not blogging, I’ll have to insta that at some point… enjoy your little break.
Thank you so much Paria and yes, “learning to find a new rug to walk on” is a great start to an article! I hope you write it somewhere. xoxo
Love this! You had an incredible year and it has been so much fun following along. I appreciate your humor, honesty, and friendship so much! Can’t wait to see what 2018 holds for you!!
Thanks so much Danielle!! I feel the exact same way about you and I’m looking forward to all your foster adventures in 2018!
What an amazing year! I love how full it was of good things – and you traveled so many beautiful places! I can’t wait to see what 2018 holds for you. In the meanwhile, enjoy your blogging break 🙂
I hope you have better luck with sweet Star in 2018. The first year is rough! Some pups (cough, Ollie, and also my parents’ pointer mix) don’t calm the f down until age 2. Dogs are insane, but we love them to pieces.
Thanks so much Laura! We are still working with a trainer for Star but her socialization is just awful. I had to take her to the vet yesterday and it almost killed both of us. We shall see but thanks for always encouraging me and being a great resource for all things dog related!
I feel like this was your year of embracing life and not forcing things. AKA taking a DNS, throwing yourself a hell of a birthday, traveling and living that up, getting a puppy and rolling with the punches with her idiosyncracies. Giving yourself time off and playing with your training. Truly what I just said–rolling with punches.
I’ve loved following along and getting to know you better.
I’m holding off on my top 9 in case someone makes her appearance a little early…
Totally rolling with the punches and making the most of it. Thanks so much Susie and I cannot wait for Yoshi to make her appearance!!!!
I love this summary! A LOT happened in 2017 for you! And the willingness to say no when you would normally say yes is huge. Enjoy your well deserved blogging break- I’m planning to take one too!
What a GREAT year you have had, but it’s all because YOU MADE IT HAPPEN!!!! Live like your dying should be all of our goals each and every year. It totally changes all of our perspectives on what’s important and what isn’t.
You continue to be a inspiration to each and everyone of us Allie. Thank-you.
When you are struggling with personal challenges in your life, just know how much you inspire other’s to push to that next level and convince us we can do it!!!!
I recently read a quote that say’s ” You were given this life because you are strong enough to handle it”
I thought of you immediately.
Although, my favorite word that describes you completely is AMAZING….
LOVE YOU
Auntie L
Thank you so much Aunt Laurie!! I’m lucky to have such strong women (like you and Aunt Carla) show me how it’s done!! I love you and cannot wait to spend more time with you over the holidays and in 2018!! #loveyoumore xoxo
I love following you on your journeys. You’re a total bad ass!
Enjoy your much-deserved break! Happy New Year!
It’s so much fun following your journey each year. I’m glad I have IG now where I feel like I share a little more personal stuff, but mostly my life is my work, ha!!! I really hope our paths cross soon, I just know we’re like insta besties 🙂
Love this rundown, what a year you had! And that idea of the 42nd birthday “make the year count” party… brilliant and pretty damn inspirational.
Being the cranky-ass complainer that I am, I’m afraid my year-end run down was a bitter rant about politics, but I’ll state for the record that even in a year that SUCKED nationally, there was much joy and love and adventure and beautiful kind brave people to be grateful for.
As always, your posts are such a pleasure to read, happy holidays and hope 2018 is a wonderful one for you!
best,
Jan/”Crabby”
incredible year for you!!! it’s pretty remarkable to look back on your whole year, it certainly puts it all into perspective. what great traveling you did!
2017 was my year of growth… emotionally, romantically, professionally, maternally… growth in every area of life. it was also my year of living it up as well because there is not really a moment i just forget i have thyroid cancer. of course i don’t want to live my life like a terrified person, but i’m putting some mega trust into my own instincts on this one. i’ve had to listen to a few docs tell me i should think twice but the truth is, i’ve thought more than twice. i’ve thought a thousand times and a thousand times i come up with the same thing: i don’t believe their solution is my path. all cancers are different in terms of treatment. i believe science is on the brink of sharing that thyroid cancer will no longer be classified as cancer. i believe it is a real misnomer. i just don’t believe that cutting out my thyroid is the right thing to do at this time. now i’m not saying it’s wrong, it’s just not my path at this time…
so 2017 has been my year of trusting myself. that would be the greatest thing of all. i learned to truly let go and trust myself. i’m still learning but so far it’s working out pretty well for me. i’m the mom i wanted to be, which is freaking great. i started out as the mom i thought i ‘should’ be and now i’m actually someone i want to be. that is mother freakin awesome.
happy end of 2017 to you friend, and cheers to a mother freakin kick ass 2018!
Wow this is huge! Looks like you had an amazing year with full of fun! YOu traveled beautiful places! Expecting something new from the new year. Good luck!
It was a great year for sure! Thanks so much!
I’m so late but omg I love this SO much. Living in your happy. Living your BEST life. Creating so many unforgettable memories with friends and family. YOU ARE GOALS! I can’t wait to see you crush 2018.
You are never too late my friend and I absolutely love “YOU ARE GOALS” 100% yes to that!!
The best of the best. Sounds like you had a fantastic year. Hope it continues into this year.
Cheers Sharon…
It was truly amazing. Thanks so much for reading and commenting!