what's in a year: 2012

2012 had many layers and, well, opportunities for growth.  Hard stuff and good stuff.  I opened a folder yesterday where all my photos are backed up and looked at the entire year in thumbnail-sized images.  The overall impression of this sea of glimpses into my year was sunshine, so it made me think again about the line: "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."  

For the past few years, I have created year-end recaps of all of my races and training.  This year, my training was a little different.  My running was solid through the marathon training and then into training for the half-iron triathlon.  I biked more and swam more, and then everything slowed a bit when I moved out.  

My running totals have been around 800 miles annually for the past few years, and this year I only ran 673 miles, but I did bike 703 miles and swim 47 miles, so I guess that is where my extra running time went.    

I feel like I've reached a new place in regards to fitness:  I don't need a training plan or a race on the calendar to keep me motivated.  I still run or do some kind of workout every day that I don't have the kids, and I crave exercise in a way that always replenishes my desire to exercise.   I'm certain I will run some half-marathons and probably do the Pumpkinman Tri again in September, but I'm not feeling like my usual race-crazed self.  

I'm reflective and hopeful as I move forward into 2013.  I have a lot to be grateful for, especially the people who have surrounded me with love and have buoyed me up along the way.

Here are my favorite moments from the year.  

I won a freaking trip to Sayulita, Mexico to learn to surf.  Did that seriously happen?  
Yes it did, in April:

 During my week with Las Olas, I did a lot of yoga, learned to surf, sat on the beach, ate a lot of fish tacos, lounged around in a bathrobe, and met and connected with a group of strong, awesome women including Jessie and Jaime, now life-long friends.

I also ran the Sugarloaf Marathon in May on a hot, hot day, but still smiled the whole way.

 SUMMER HIGHLIGHTS!  (Dear God.  6 months from now we'll be back there)

our favorite summer place:  Schoodic Lake.

Ange and Beckett in Schoodic.

Sand Beach.

Contra dancing at the American Folk Festival

lunch on the dock at Moxie Lake.

Reed passed his deep water swim test on the FOURTH TRY!

Suzanne and I biked many many miles at ungodly early ours.  Here we our in the willy-wacks at 5 am. 

swimming in Thoreau's Walden Pond. 

summer picnic at Wonderland. 

my mom, who continues to amaze me with the strength of her love and support for me and my kids. 

In 2012, Reed learned to ride a bike without training wheels

 And learned to fish. 

And went to KINDERGARTEN:

 And Skyler changed from little-girl to big-girl.

at her first piano recital

I settled into a new home.

and completed my first Half-Iron Triathlon, all with the support of my friend Susan who went south with me for the race weekend. 

My whole family spent a week on Moosehead Lake:

and I got to ride my bike with my sister. 

This fall, I met Tim, danced for marriage equality, and made a 

rainbow cake when we won YES on ONE.  

and took a much-needed trip to San Francisco to hang with my big brother. 

And then... Happy New Year. 

 Cheers to a 2013 with more sunshine and good stuff, and a little less hard stuff.

xo