2013 Looking Back, and Looking Forward

It's New Year's Eve and as I write this I have just finished a 4.75 mile run. OK, run is a little optimistic, I jogged/walked the distance. On the plus side I ran the first 2.5 miles and ran over half of the remaining 2.25 so overall I did fine. I've gotten to where I like point to point runs because I can't cheat and I have to make the distance or wait for someone to pick me up on the side of the road. (I always file a flight plan with my Hubby including route and ETA just in case.) Today I had Hubby drive me south of town and let me out along the highway. He says it makes him feel bad leaving me standing on the side of the road. Awwwww.

So now it's time to look back over the year and review what went right and what went wrong. Then I need to figure out how to make what when wrong go right next year. And to realize that sometimes we don't get to choose our path, only make the best of the rocky road laid before us.

My goal last year was to better my time in the Big Pool Triathlon and do an open water swim triathlon. I'm happy to report that I bettered my time by over 3 minutes. I placed 1st (don't laugh, I wasn't the only one in my age group) in my division and felt pretty darn proud. Then in September I participated in my first ever open water swim triathlon. Just to add some fun to the year I did an epic weekend with a 10K on Saturday and one leg of the Bike Across Kansas on Sunday.

Now for what went wrong.

I'm slowing down. Way down. My turtle mascot is even passing me. But that's OK with me. What is not OK is the spill I took on my bike in September on a long bike ride with Traci W. It landed me in the hospital overnight and dashed my attempt at a 100 mile bike ride. This was followed by a diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Boom. That was a blow. I'm still trying to balance the disease, treatment, and workouts so I can maintain my activity level but it's difficult. I have to conserve my energy where I can and time my workouts with my medications. All in all, it's a pain the you know what.

What can I do for next year?

I intend to Run Anyway. I have several races/runs on my calendar already and plan to do at least 4 sprint triathlons. I may be getting slower but I finish and that's what matters to me. I want to do more bike rides but maybe not the long distance rides. Some of my Running Friends are encouraging me to do the Oklahoma City Memorial 1/2 Marathon but I'm not sure my mind and body are up to that. We'll see after I do the Groundhog Run 10K in Kansas City the end of January.

All in all it wasn't a total disaster year. But I would sure love next year to be better. I'm looking forward to putting this RA into remission and feeling my old self again. I can't wait to get my bike back out on the road and pedal away the miles. Next year will be a great year. Happy New Year to all my friends and family. Keep moving; whatever you can, whenever you can.