Giving Thanks for a Tough Year

I feel like 2016 has had me constantly fighting to get off the struggle bus, mostly because this year has thrown quite a few monkey wrenches at me, including an accident that totaled my car in January, a month-long bout of bronchitis in March that had linger effects, and a broken rib from a bike crash in July. Given that these incidents kept me out of training (and in pain or sick) for about 10 weeks and I was only able to race two triathlons, it would be really easy for me to throw myself a pity party and write 2016 off as an overall net loss.

That said, I think it’s really important to have some perspective by reflecting and being thankful for the good things that have come my way in 2016 as well.  For instance, even though I only raced two triathlons this year, it was the first year I raced anything longer than sprint distance.  Not only that, but I also started and finished my first Half Ironman in June despite the setbacks at the beginning of the year.  That alone was a huge accomplishment for me, and something that will always make me remember 2016 in a positive light.

Furthermore, both races I ended up being able to do were combined with visits to family in Virginia and Washington (the state), and I even got to complete the majority of my Olympic distance race with my Aunt, so we got some great one-on-one time.  Although I had to drop out of Nationals in Santa Cruz this year, Zach and I turned our trip into a vacation and spent time with friends in San Francisco with a day trip to wine country in Napa and Sonoma, all places I hadn’t visited before.  2016 was also the year I was selected to be a Skirt Sports Ambassador, and I even got to model for them the day after I broke my rib (before I knew it was broken).  We also got a new kitten who is quite an entertaining little rascal, and I started writing this blog.

The setbacks this year have not been fun and their impacts on my physical and mental wellness have been very real, but they have also reminded me how important it is to appreciate what I have in life.  Rather than writing 2016 off as a loss, I’m choosing to focus on and be thankful for all the positives of this past year.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!