2012 Wrap Up: A Funny Thing Happened While I Was Feeling Bad for Myself

Sometime early in the year, I accepted the fact at 2012 just wasn't going to be my year. I spent the first quarter (can we refer to quarters outside of the office? I'm not going back to work until Wednesday) enduring a protracted break up that came to its natural conclusion during the Boston Marathon (fine, not during the actual race, but close enough). While that timing was so awesome and ideal and left me in an excellent mental state going into the race, my plans for a sub 3:20 that day were foiled by the record high temps. On the plus side, by mid April I had a banging bod, on account of stress-induced lack of appetite and a record-high month of miles in March (245). On the minus side, I felt like I'd failed the two things I most want to be good at: interpersonal relationships and the marathon. Suffice it to say, I felt pretty bad about myself.

But here's the funny thing: while I was busy feeling badly for my shitty 2012, my year turned out to be awesome. I immediately remedied the running mishaps by taking 2nd female overall in my first 50k. I spent the summer dating (thank you, rocking bod), drinking (buh-bye rocking bod...), traveling (hello, bearded men of Oregon. And Colorado. And Maine), and celebrating the nuptials of some seven of my best friends. Come fall, I got a new job, got a new apartment, saw my sister get married, and ran my second-fastest marathon. As of today, the last day of 2012 - the year that was not meant to be mine - I've run 1702 miles this year.*

And those are just the first awesome things that come to mind; there were also countless if less remarkable great runs, great nights out, great times with my family. While I was busy feeling bad for myself, I was actually having the best year ever! Of course, it took a little perspective to realize it, but that's sort of the point. Sometimes shitty things happen. But if you spend all your time wallowing over those shitty things, you won't even realize it when the good stuff starts happening again. And it will, trust me.

Now I'm not much of a resolution-maker, but I guess all I can hope for is that in 2013, I appreciate all the good stuff as it happens. And maybe that "Call Me Maybe" is still popular by next wedding season.

And now, for the final wrap up of 2012...

Number of Miles Run Last Week: 33

Number of Beers Consumed Last Week: Oh my God, too many. Thank God the Christmas season comes but once a year...

Types of Beers Consumed Last Week: Left Hand 400 Pound Monkey, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Dogfish Head Burton Baton, Keo, Guinness, Bud Light, 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die, Saranac Adirondack Lager

* Is it wrong that I ran today only to break 1700 miles, and now I'm borderline furious that Dailymile hasn't updated my yearly mile count?