2017 // Adventure in Review
Oh where to start with 2017! It was a year of constant changes and going with the flow, that led us from Spokane to Whistler to Arizona to Chattanooga and Kona, Hawaii. In this year in review I have briefly touched on some of the awesome events that filled our lives this year. There are a lot of pictures and a lot of links to other blogs that will give you more about that event if you so wish to read about it. For the most part these are in chronological order, and here we go:
Maui We started the year off by heading to Maui to watch the Tournament of Champions. Talk about a great way to start the year off. Tournament of Champions was really fun to watch as it was quiet and not very busy; you were able to get up close and personal with the players. Brandon and my Dad got to golf a bit on top of that, while I spent the week soaking up the sunshine and getting some ocean swims in.
Starting a new job In April I took on a new position with Northwest Legal and Associates, PLLC which to this day is still one of the smartest things I have done. It is wonderful being able to say you really love your job.
CdA 70.3 Triathlon racing season started out with a bang with Ironman Couer d'Alene 70.3. This is still one of my favorite races, as it is right in our backyard. I had a big goal for this race to break the 5 hour mark, something I had been toying with for almost two years. I ended up crossing the line at 4:56 and took third in my age group, which qualified me for the 70.3 World Championships in Chattanooga, TN. Here is the Race Recap for more about this race.
Hiring a coach For those of you that aren't aware I was self coached all the way up until June of this year. Brandon and I had been toying with the idea of getting me a coach for a couple of months and decided it was high time to do so. That is when Coach Heather came into my life and I couldn't be more grateful. Being the standard type A triathlete the hardest part for me was letting go of the control I had over my training, yet under her direction I have blossomed and my training has been taken to another level. I am now a firm believer in being coached.
Buying a new house Purchasing a new home was something Brandon and I had been talking about for a large portion of the year, but by early summer we decided there was no time like the present and upon walking into the new home we instantly new it was the one. Our house sold really quickly which meant we also had to move quickly to get out of previous home. So at the end of July, immediately after returning from Whistler for the 70.3 up there, we moved into our new home. We have been here now for about five full months and we couldn't be happier. This home is exactly what we dreamed about and we are so excited to continue to grow into it.
Whistler 70.3 Whistler 70.3 came at a crazy time, as mentioned above, in which we had to be moved out of our home upon leaving for Whistler so that when we returned to Spokane we would move immediately into the new home.
Whistler was a ton of fun, though a bit nuts. Brandon and I drove over to Seattle where we met my dad and stayed the night, then drove up the next day for the race and then immediately after the race headed back to Seattle. I had only ever been to Whistler in the winter and already knew it was a place that I loved but had never been in the summer. Whistler was so cool! The place was packed, running, biking, and golfing everywhere.
The race was tough but a ton of fun and I for sure want to go back this year. Here is the Race Recap to give you more information about it.
Arizona and the Cubs Game
Not long after returning from Whistler Brandon and I headed to Arizona to meet my mom and dad for some golf and to watch the Cubs game. Arizona is one of our favorite places to be and we enjoyed our time there. The Arizona heat did not disappoint, in fact I found out quickly the affects that the heat can have on you when I lost 6 lbs during a training run.
I am happy to say that the Cubs won while we where there!
70.3 World Championships
In honor of our summer of traveling a couple of weeks after returning from Arizona the husband and I headed down to Chattanooga for another crazy whirlwind of a trip. We really liked Chattanooga, it was a lot more green than we anticipated.
70.3 World Championships was a training day for Kona, and coach had had me busting balls to get the majority of our hard workouts in prior to this race. So despite all the terrible swim, and drafting penalty I was very happy with the outcome of this race; you can read all about it here on my Race Recap.
Kona
The highlight of the year, and one of my greatest accomplishments to date. This accomplishment isn't that I did the race but that when everything went to hell and my brain told me to quit more times that I know how to count I never gave in. It was a day that I proved to myself that I am stronger than any negativity I place on myself; here's the Race Recap to read more about it.
I later realized, after analyzing the data with Coach Heather, that being sick prior to the race and then for the three weeks after the race greatly affected my performance that day. Despite that I beyond proud and happy with my day there! It has also fueled the fire for me to sign up for Ironman Texas this coming April, I have a bone to pick with the Ironman Marathon.
Arizona for Thanksgiving
As mentioned we love Arizona and returned again in November to spend Thanksgiving with my family. We spent the week soaking up the warmth, drinking Moscow Mules, walking, running, swimming, and golfing as much as we could or Brandon could. Arizona for Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays and trips, I am so thankful that we get to do it every year.
Announcing coaching
Not long after returning from Arizona for Thanksgiving I officially announced that Where Your Feet Take You now offers run coaching. Kona may have been the highlight of my year but this is something I am very excited about. Coaching, both run and triathlon, is something I have wanted to do for a long time and it is now the time for it. In February I head to California to attend the USA Triathlon Level 1 Coaching clinic to further my knowledge. I have some really awesome, crazy plans for Where Your Feet Take You and this was just the start of it!
Before I sign off I want to thank each and everyone of you, family, friends, and sponsors who have followed along on this journey this year. None of the journey could be done without each of you and I am so thankful for the continued support. I may not know all of you personally but I do want you to know that your support is what continues to motivate me not only with triathlon but also gives me the courage to pursue other dreams.
2017 was so full of love, fun, and adventure. I cannot wait to see what 2018 brings.