2016 was an interesting year, one full of ups and downs. It was filled with lots of love and accomplishments. There were a few low points, but they certainly don’t overshadow all of the high points. I’m grateful to have been able to share my happy moments with my husband, my friends, my parents (when things were still going well), and my students!
Running-related victories:
- Ran 9 races (2 10Ks, 6 half marathons, 1 full marathon)
- Ran my highest-elevation half marathon
- Ran my first Disney Coast-to-Coast challenge
- Registered for my most challenging race to date
- Stuck with a 26-week training plan (I’ve always fizzled out early)
- Completed every long run in my training plan (I’ve always skipped a few here and there)
- Ran 567.1 miles (122.1 miles in 2015, 234.5 in 2014, 454.9 in 2013, 495.4 in 2012, 962.6 in 2011)
Life-related victories:
- I fulfilled a lifelong dream of teaching
- I fulfilled a lifelong dream of finishing grad school
- I got married
- The Star Wars Force Band launched
- Amazon Go launched
- I found myself back at Amazon
- I established boundaries in my personal and professional life
- Taught my best friend how to ski down the bunny hill
Some low points:
- My resignation from Sphero
- The passing of my uncle
- A (hopefully) temporary fissure in my relationship with my parents
In the midst of the good and the bad, I’m hopeful for the new year. I have a lot of opportunities ahead to get involved in bigger-picture initiatives at the university and in the community. I look forward to applying my skill sets across teams at work. I’m excited to get my friends out here to Colorado to visit me (and my students, when they’re in school). I’m excited for our Rock n Roll Marathon Series tour next year (15 stops!). It’s going to be a good one.
My 2017 running resolutions:
- Get a running coach
- Run in least two race costumes
- Run three marathons
- Snap four photos per race (one being a selfie!)
- Run the year I’m in – focus on what I can do better in 2017 by building from my Disney World races, rather than my previous years’ races
- Get into the Rock n Roll Marathon Series hall of fame! (by finishing at least 15 races)
I found four athletes most inspirational this year:
#4: Joseph Schooling, the Singaporean swimmer who beat Michael Phelps, his childhood idol. Amazing.
#3. Almaz Ayana, the woman who broke the world record for a <30 minute 10K. Breathtaking.
#2. Morolake Akinosun, the woman who stopped at nothing to achieve her dream. Stunning.
#1. Erik Hulslander, my husband. He overcame his demons, survived a stroke, pulled a 4.0 GPA, and still managed to train for the Dopey Challenge. The love of my life.
So, on that note, let’s give 2017 a run for its money —
Amara in Training 