Is it already time for a new year???

Every year I think about how amazing it is that the year passed by so quickly. How did it happen, where did it go? Was I able to check off my list this year? Was I able to stick to my resolutions, accomplish my goals, achieve success? Did I spread joy, bring others peace, make the world a little better because I was here? I never can quite answer all of these questions in the affirmative. Usually, I don't seem to have any answers at all. How do we qualify our daily activities into something we can easily judge? How do I know if my efforts to make this world a better place justified my consumption in it?

One of my major goals this past year was to run a marathon. The Athens Greek Classic Marathon. I figured I would only do one, so I decided to make it the original. I have been running on and off since I was in middle school, so for about 14 years now. (And I am sure I ran around a lot as a kid!). I have always loved it. Loved the rush afterwards, loved the feeling of control, and loved the peace it brought with it. I have never been an amazing runner, but I would always continue to trek on. I started a 16 week training program and gradually built the miles. The speed wasn't really coming, but I kind of expected it. I have never been fast and while I can push myself to go far, it is a much greater challenge to push myself to go far quickly. As I got into the teens, I was quite proud of myself but also losing some of my motivation. I decided to make this race mean something more than just myself. I decided to run for my two best friends and their two little boys who were both born with birth defects. Both were touched in one way or another by Chicago Children's Memorial Research Hospital. So, I decided to raise money for this hospital. Through the generous support of friends and family I raised $1,100!  I was, still am, really blown away by the support and generorsity everyone showed. It was so motivating. Too motivating really. Four weeks before the race I started having minor pain in my left shin. Eventually it turned to major pain. 3 weeks before the race I found out I had a stress fracture. I was upset, embarrassed, and relieved. I couldn't believe I put in so much work and had to quit. I was embarrassed that so many people knew I was training and had donated and now I couldn't run. I was relieved because in all honesty, the race scared the hell out of me. The money still went to the hospital, I didn't get to run, and I kind of looked like an idiot. But...I'm still glad I did it.

I may not train for a marathon again any time soon, but I think I will in the future. For now, I am working on running again. I ran two times last week! Two miles each time! So exciting and a welcome break from the elliptical and bike. In the spring, I plan on doing the half marathon in Florence. And hopefully, when we are in Hawaii I will find plenty of beautiful races to take up my time.

My goals for 2010:
Keep running!
Find a running partner.
Bring more romance into my marriage.
Stay in touch with friends and family better
Get just as involved in Hawaii as I am here. (7 months and counting til we get there!!!)

When 2010 ends will these goals help me look back at the year and answer my questions? I'm not really sure. But, I do know they will make my life better, my relationships better, and make this transient Military life a bit easier to handle. I do have to say, I hope 2010 is deployment free....or I may be putting in as many miles as Vince and I are apart. (BTW...on average there is 7,775 miles from Hawaii to Afghanistan. That's a lot of miles...anyone ready to start now?)