Goals 2019

"Do not be afraid to fail. Be afraid to accept that who you are right now is all you are going to be." --John Bingham Running for Mortals

The time has come that having reflected back on the last year, people traditionally set goals for the next year. After some consideration, I have keyed on four words to define the coming year: LEARNING, GROWTH, CONFIDENCE  and JOY.

At 62, I think I could probably rest on my laurels, but what fun is that?  That's why the above quote from one of my running role-models is important.

Work/Professional goals

My work is really in 3 pieces: Teaching, photo editing and my side gig. 

My goal for the teaching piece of my professional life is to be a "quitter."  I retired last May, only to find myself saying yes to a class in the fall and another in the spring.  So while I am still semi-retired, I'd like to take another shot at being fully retired.  I have decided that, although I like to keep my hand in a bit, one class per year would be plenty. So, I am teaching my spring semester course....and practicing saying "no" firmly to more.

I am still enjoying my very part time job rating and editing race photos for a local photo team (shout out to Focal Flame!).  And short term, I'd like to keep doing what I'm doing for them.  Longer term, I'd maybe like to learn more about photography.  Down the road, when I'm not running every race...maybe even shoot some backdrop photos. Presumably knowing more will make me a better rater and editor, so for now I just want to spend some time reading and trying things.

Finally, my "side gig."  I have an etsy shop called Mimi's Folly. It is mostly for fun.  I like to craft and try new things, and this is a way to entertain myself and make a few dollars.  I want to keep it fun. My goal for this piece of my "work", is to avoid setting goals and just let it be fun. 

Athletic goals

“It isn’t a matter of getting the body you want, it’s a matter of doing the most you can with the body you have.”   John Bingham,  No Need for Speed.  

In thinking about my athletic goals, I have been thinking about what I really want out of it.  Of course, I'm interested in fitness and weight control and blood sugar control. Naturally doing well in some races is nice, too.  But honestly, at the end of the day I am looking for two things...confidence and joy.   These are, I think, the same things that people of all ages get from all kinds of play.  So I guess I want to keep playing. 

"The only magic in our lives as runners is the magic of consistency. Not every run will make you feel great."John Bingham,  No Need for Speed. 

Step one to confidence for me has got to be consistency, I've done pretty well the last part of this year...but it will be important to keep it up.  To that end I have hired a triathlon coach and set a goal to do 3 sprint distance triathlons this year (as well as finishing the last 3 states in my quest to run in all 50--Nebraska, West Virginia and Montana).  I think I can get there...but it will require consistency and a trust in the process.  

“Focus on where you are instead of where you wish you were. The joy will follow.”--John  Bingham, No Need for Speed   

And step one to joy, is to stop worrying about comparisons with others, with where I used to be (as I age, I may not be there again) and with where I want to be.  Rather, my goal is to be present with where I am and be grateful for what my body will do. My best races have always been the ones where I felt grateful and present (often in costume and aware of the smiles of others...and my own).  They may or may not be the fastest, but they are the ones that bring joy...and that is where I want to go this year.  So keep on doing what I'm doing and learn to really be there for myself.

General/other goals

“Trying harder doesn’t always equal more success; it leads to more frustration, less satisfaction, and giving up.” --John Bingham,  No Need for Speed

When it comes to many of the other important things in my life (my family, my relationships, and all the things that I worry about day to day), I realized recently the phrase that often goes through my brain is, "but I try so hard."  

My response to this feeling is to attempt to try even harder...until I hit that point of "I can't even...."

So this year I am going to try to learn new coping strategies.  I do try hard, I don't think that is going to change...I think the growth will come from learning when to try harder and when to be confident that I have done what I can do. I expect to be a work in progress for a long, long time.  But I'm hoping some investment in relaxation, meditation and therapy will lead to less frustration, more satisfaction and less "I can't even."

So looking at all of this is a tall order.  Some of it is quite specific, while some is still nebulous.  If I had to choose one thing to sum it all up, I guess it would be to remember to approach the new year with an openness of attitude, that will let me learn and grow in confidence and joy. 

2018--A Year in Review

Like most years 2018 was a year with many ups and downs.  While the downs are important and I have learned from them....I was recently challenged to come up with my favorite memory from the year. And being optimistic by nature, I have chosen to review the year and write about my favorite memories from each month.

December 2017

Let's start with the end of last year.

Christmas breakfast with the family 2017

Some of my favorite memories are built around family traditions...and this is one of ours.  Because both my son and his wife have blended families, figuring out who would be where for the holidays was always a chore.  A few years ago we claimed breakfast on Christmas morning.  Now it is a tradition.  

This one was particularly sweet  as my mother (far left) continues to be healthy and active at 88 (87 in this picture) and we are grateful to have her with us. Aurora (my daughter-in-law) and Josh (my son) are next.  It is always good to have time with them, as well as daughter Melanie (in the Santa hat).  But, of course, granddaughters Maeve and Ellie are the most important at Christmas.  As a lover of books myself, I remember being tickled that they wanted to know how soon they could go spend the bookstore gift cards they received.  Among piles of other gifts, a potential trip to the bookstore ranked high on their list.

January 2018

 

Flappers in Charleston!

The beginning of the year was a bit trying, as I was sick 3 times in 3 months.  In fact, when we went to do the destination race with our Fleet Feet Running group, I was suffering from a sinus infection (miserable!)  But I will always remember this trip fondly anyway, because of the costumes....

Mary and I, post 5k

and the friends we were with, and.....

Pie flavored ice cream sandwiches (Chocolate Cherry and Peanut Butter Chocolate)

the most excellent post-race treats that we found, and....

The perfect gift for our friend C.C. found at the craft and farmers market

looking at each other when we came across this coaster  and saying in unison "C.C. needs this!"

February 2018

Maeve's fastest mile (we think)

Ellowyn's first medal

In February we went to Disney World with my son's family for Princess Weekend.  There were so many things to see and do.  A variety of us did a mix of different races, but my very favorite was watching our girls do the Mickey Mile.  Maeve was a seasoned runner having done 2 Girls on the Run 5ks plus the Disney 5k the day before and she had a really good run.  Ellie ran well too, and earned her very first medal...we should all be as proud as she was when she got that medal.

Also in February, I began my tenure as a Skirt Sports ambassador, something I never dreamed I would do....but enjoy very much.  A link to Skirt Sports

March 2018

Ready to Run the Bluegrass

March was a rough month until the very end...but it ended on a high note!  On March 31 we were in Lexington, KY running Run the Bluegrass.  I had planned to run the 7 miler, but I was recovering from strep, so I ran the Yearling (3.75 miles) and Glenda ran the Half.  Our "jockey silks" were Seattle Slew (me) and American Pharaoh (Glenda).  The race was good, but we also had incredible food (including Cincinnati Chili and super southern cooking) and met up with fun people including friends from home and virtual friends from my online challenger group.

April 2018

This was an eventful month, as Glenda ran her 4th Boston Marathon.  I can't really include my 5k or the marathon as a "highlight" as I had a weird medical thing happen with my race and the weather at Boston was epically bad!  But there were still plenty of highlights from that trip, plus other highlights from the month.

At the Narragansett Towers

We started with a trip to Rhode Island, visiting old haunts like my old neighborhood, the University of Rhode Island where I taught and Champlain's sea food (a favorite!)  We ran with my former running group and ate with them at the Mews Tavern afterwards.  And enjoyed Breakfast with a friend.  It was a magical few days. 

We continued on to Boston and did our races.  It is always great to go to Boston and have the privilege to run the marathon, but the weather was so awful on the day it is hard to call it a fond memory...though it was an epic one. 

One of our best Boston memories was the day after when some of our friends drove up from Cape Cod and Rhody to meet us for a meal.  So many laughs...what a great time.  We enjoyed ourselves so much we forgot to even get pictures!

Speaking at CALLR

Close on the heels of Boston I flew to Houston to be the invited keynote speaker at the CALLR conference at San Jacinto college.  This marked my imminent semi-retirement and felt like a validation of my professional work.  A proud moment for me...I spoke about Library Service to Special Needs Populations.

Riding bikes with Maeve

Ellie plays peek-a-boo with Bucky Badger

Not all highlights are big races or faraway places.  This afternoon with our granddaughters also stands out.  Riding bikes with Maeve and taking the girls to explore the Memorial Union grounds at the University of Wisconsin and eat Babcock Hall ice cream stands out as fun in our own backyard.

May 2018

The cacti were in bloom in St. George

Making s'mores on Pine Mountain

From cactus blossoms to s'mores, the Mothers' Day trip with my Mom to visit Glenda's Mom (and family) in St. George, Utah was beautiful and fun!

Our van crew from Ragnar

The middle of May saw us doing our first Ragnar.  Having written about it earlier in this blog I won't go into the details here, but what a trip!

Saw the Brewers with friends Chris and Amy Borchardt

and with son Josh and granddaughter Maeve

Some Brewer baseball with friends and family rounded out the month!

June 2018

Summer was full of races and families and friends....hm do we see a theme here?

The most scenic race of the year was in Colorado

Glenda and I at the finish of the Skirt Sports race

My first retreat as a Skirt Sports Ambassador was wonderful!  Lots of new friends and inspirational speakers, culminating in a race ... I did the 10K and Glenda that half.  We followed it with lunch at Casa Bonita...perfect.

Jocelyn and I finish the 5k in Duluth

We went to Duluth for Glenda to run Grandma's Marathon.  I decided to do the 5k the day before.  What a surprise to find that Jocelyn Mijares, who we'd met the year before on a running cruise was there too...and ran the 5k with me.  One of my favorite memories...playing with the echoes in the tunnel along the lake that we ran through.  Cracked me up.

My Mom in Ellie's pink cowboy hat

The girls try on pink cowboy hats, Ellie decided to buy hers

Josh and the Jackalope

The month finished with a South Dakota road trip with my son and his wife, their girls and my mother.  Lots of highlights...and a pink cowboy hat!

July 2018

More family, more friends, more races, more fun....

Vanessa, Sheryl and I at the Pardeville Tri

First triathlon relay of the season!  Pardeville Tri. Vanessa swam, Sheryl took on her first triathlon experience on the bike and I finished with the run.  Team: Swam, Ran, Thank you Ma'am

On the floating boardwalk in the national park

Biking in another park

Celebrating after the race with ice cream

In the first part of July we spent a few days with Glenda's family on Prince Edward Island...highlights included local national parks, hiking and biking, a visit to baby goats and bunnies on a farm, seeing the play Anne of Green Gables, running a local race, and just hanging with the family (and let's not forget the seafood!)

My brother Jeffry and his wife Bev at the Brewer game

We had the chance to take my brother to a Brewer game to celebrate his birthday.  My brother and I see each other fairly often, but haven't really exchanged gifts in a long time...so it was very special to be able to treat him.  The game was awful...but the outing was fun!

Kelly was our runner, I biked and Chelsey swam

To bookend the month, another triathlon relay with team Kettle Belles.  Too much fun!  This was Kelly's first triathlon experience. As Chelsey put it in her report..."Chelsey swam in the crick, Suellen biked up yonder and Kelly ran up the road a piece" (and we all vamped for the camera!)

August 2018

Little Old Ladies Who... Take on Alphornman

Started the month with another relay.  This time with PAC Tri Team friend Polly.  I swam and ran, and Polly biked.  We also checked out a great bakery in New Glarus.  Glenda was our photographer.  It was a quality morning with a friend.

 Sunset on Teal Lake

 Glenda has a close call with the world's largest muskie

Fishing with Glenda's Dad

Spent a few days in the North Woods fishing with Glenda's parents.  Highlights included eating the fish we caught, seeing Elk in the wild, Really good BBQ and a visit to the largest muskie and other sights at the fishing museum in Hayward. 

Team Flying Monkey Brigade crosses the finish line

The last relay in the summer featured Team Flying Monkey Brigade with one of my favorite repeat relay partners Eric, who swam and introduced Carly to the world of tri...she biked.  I, of course, took on the run.

 Jackson Hole views

View from Lucy Lake Lodge

 Making moose shadows

We ended the month with a pre-race visit to the Grand Tetons.  Favorite of many good memories was discovering and having lunch at the Lucy Lake Lodge, an excellent laid back meal and what a view!

September 2018

This is my birthday month...I turned 62.  And celebrated all month long with races and a Hawaiian Cruise.

Racing in Wyoming beauty

Glenda and I in matching outfits with our awards

The start of the month was the marathon relay at Jackson Hole in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.  We placed....I'll always place in the marathon if Glenda runs the first 19+ miles. :)

Movie star moment in Maui

Mermaids who caused a second look

Later in the month we took a cruise in Hawaii with Coach Jenny Hadfield and John "the Penguin" Bingham, our second tour with their group (the first was in Alaska).  We did many races, saw many sights, wore many costumes and met a lot of cool people.  But a couple of the highlights for me were a challenging hike on Maui which culminated in a swim in a pool at the bottom of a waterfall...the sort of thing one only sees in the movies.  The other was everything about Kona...running on the famed Ironman course, splashing in the ocean at the swim start...but perhaps most of all was the double take from John that morning as we appeared in our mermaid costumes and he momentarily thought that we were being particularly daring with our seashells (we weren't, those are dance tops under those shells). Makes me laugh just to think about it. 

Judy Hops and Nick Wilde in a great Focal Flame photo

Which brings us to the end of the month when we did the Zoo Run Run dressed as Officer Judy Hops and Nick Wilde from Zootopia.  This was the first race that I did very seriously after starting triathlon training at the start of the month.  It was a great race and I beat my goal for the first time in ages!

October 2018

An eventful month for sure!

On the 5k in Chicago

and after

October found us in Chicago for Glenda to run the marathon.  I did a 5k in my Blackhawk skirt and earned a sweet hat.  But even better I was able to spot Glenda on the run and high 5 her as she finished her second marathon major of the year!

Ellie and I put our best face forward 

Door County color

Then a weekend in Door County, WI enjoying the autumn colors with the kids.  I had an especially good time walking and playing and clowning around with Miss Ellie while the others were off on a Segway tour.

Lambeau selfie with Glenda, Amy and Chris

The following Monday we were off to Green Bay for our first Packer game!  Friends Chris and Amy took us to the game (Chris is the only person we know who is more sports nuts than us!)  Fun time with friends and a GREAT finish to the game which the Pack won at the last second with a field goal.

Jake Blues takes on the Pumpkin Run 

Had another great race at the Pumpkin Run!  My running felt on a better track and I got 10th in my age group which earned me a medal as they go 10 deep.  I also really loved this costume...and this is one of my favorite photos of the year. 

November 2018

November included another Marathon Major for Glenda, another race with lots of friends and a trip that included both sports and family.

This cracked me up from the Play that Went Wrong Program

Just a Broadway Baby, pounding 42nd Street

Glenda still has a high kick left at the end of her third major (5th marathon) of the year

A trip to New York for the Marathon in early November included running down an empty 42nd Street dressed as a Rockette.  A visit to Broadway to see The Play that Went Wrong was definitely a highlight, I don't know when I've laughed so hard, and we are still quoting bits of the play at each other.  And finally I got to sit in the stands and see Glenda (also dressed as a Rockette) finish her third major of the year.  I could not be more proud of her.

Santa's and Elves at the Elf Run with Brenda and Eric

Surprising how Rockettes become elves

Another good race with the Elf Run in the winter run series.  Best part was loads of friends doing the race, especially running into Milwaukee friend Eric and Brenda Knight. It was just a fun time all the way through.

A trip to the strip

Basketball tourney fun ... Hook 'Em

Running the Vegas Turkey Trot in my Fall colors

Finishing my last workout of the trip in St. George

Thanksgiving saw us enjoying the trifecta of fun things.  First was a basketball tournament featuring our beloved Longhorns.  Watching them beat North Carolina was particular thrill.  Then a Thanksgiving morning race in Boulder City along Lake Mead...this is one of my absolute favorite places in the world to run.  Then we went to St. George, Utah for a family holiday with Glenda's family.  It was all wonderful...but I'd go back just for the Veyo Strawberry Rhubarb Pie .... or maybe my mother-in-law's cherry cobbler.  I'm especially proud that I hit every single workout on this trip, even though some were better than others.

December 2018

And to end this musing, St. Jude's 10k in Memphis

 Meeting Madison in Memphis....hello Bri!

We three kings of Elvii are :)

It was rainy and warm that day, and to be honest the race was a slog a lot of the way.  But there were still fun and favorite moments, like hearing our names at 5.5 miles and turning to see Tri Team friend from home Brianne Pitts!  And of course finding yet another Elvis at the after party.

Finally

I hope for anyone reading this, that although we all have down times (I certainly did this year) there are alway fun times and good moments to remember...and it pays to review them and be grateful.  Thank you for letting me share mine with you!  And I wish many for you in the coming year. 

Cheers!