I am absolutely in awe that this year is almost over. Almost every aspect of my life has changed in 2013 and I couldn’t be more happy at where I am at today. It came with its ups and downs but I’ve made it and I am totally looking forward to the crazy year I have ahead of me. New Years Eve has always been associated with partying, drinking, and livin’ it up with your friends and family. However, I think it is very important to take a moment to reflect on the year from where you started on January 1st to where you are today.
My top 10 biggest moments of 2013 (in chronological-ish order):
- I FINALLY completed my first half-marathon, after training for three (1 that got cut off at mile 10 due to Tropical Storm Ike flooding the course and 1 happened to be the day after I was in a wedding in a different city — lets just say I didn’t make it back in time haha). I worked extremely hard to accomplish this goal. I trained with a friend who hates running and motivated her to push through the miles and the pain to complete something on her bucket list. It was not without its challenges but I’m being dead serious when I say there is nothing more rewarding than crossing that finish line.
Lincoln Presidential Half-Marathon on April 6,2013
Lincoln Presidential Half-Marathon on April 6,2013
My final time, I may have started my Run Keeper app before I crossed the official start line. Oops!
- I ran in 4 other races this year: (2) 5ks, a 7k, and a 10k all with different themes and memories I will never forget.
My yearly tradition of doing the St. Pats Run in Cottleville with these ladies
This was, by far, the most fun race I’ve ever done. Highly recommend doing this when it comes to your town. Also, that is indeed a wig haha!
Go! St. Louis Halloween 10K where I dressed up like Captain America.
- I broke down and bought the Country Mega Ticket and saw some truly amazing performances. On this list were Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Zach Brown Band, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, and many more!
- I traveled to many different cities that I loved, some that I have been to before, others that I hadn’t. On the list are: Baltimore, Virginia Beach (3x), San Diego, Boston, Orlando, Philadelphia, Denver, and Austin.
Baltimore – Inner Harbor
Work trip to Boston
Work trip to San Diego. This was by far my favorite “work trip” this year. My co-worker and I were both training for the half at the time and we did our longest run of our training all along the beach. Gorgeous!
My co-worker and I were so happy to have found some time to go to theme parks on this work trip!
My last work trip with my old job was to Denver. It was during the bad floods but we still had a good time!
Family trip to Austin and San Antonio! My sister, cousin-in-law and I saw Sara Bareilles in concert. She is AMAZING!!
Got my first genuine pair of cowboy boots. Definitely wearing these under my wedding dress!
We were in Austin for this little guy’s first birthday! How adorable is that hat??
Some of our adventures while in Mike’s hometown of Virginia Beach this year. We went for Easter, his sister’s wedding, and Thanksgiving
- I visited Busch Stadium more times this year than any previous year (including box seats twice, redbird club tickets, a tour of the stadium,9th row seats, and a play off game!) I had a rough patch with games in which I got rained out of THREE in a row but mother nature came back around and treated me well the rest of the season. Also, I visited Fenway Park to watch the Red Sox beat the Twins.
A few pictures from our Busch Stadium Tour
My visit to Fenway Park on a work trip. I just loved that they sold “chow-da” in the stands like that! - I chopped off my hair, which is a pretty big deal to me. I’ve always had pretty long hair and treated it like my security blanket. I don’t think my hair has been that short since middle school.
Before (left) and after (right)
- My, at the time, boyfriend took the Men’s Volleyball Head Coach position at Culver Stockton which moved him to Quincy, IL. I was so proud of him for getting this amazing opportunity! He is starting the Men’s Volleyball program at Culver and I think that he can really make a name for himself there. His dreams have always been volleyball-centered and I am just so happy that he has landed his dream job. However, those four months that we were in a long distance relationship were tough.
- Which brings me to my next big moment! I was offered a job in Quincy in Marketing so I quit my job in St. Louis, packed my bags, and moved in with Mike! That was probably the biggest, hardest decision I had to make this year. I loved my job, the people that I worked with, and my life in St. Louis. In the end, love won and I couldn’t imagine my life being any different than it is today. Again, another thing that comes with it’s challenges, being away from family and friends is hard, but being away from Mike was even harder. Besides, its only a two hour drive home…and we make that trip all too often.
- I got engaged!!!! Hello real world and big kid status! Mike asked my parents for permission on the day I moved in with him and then at my surprise birthday party he dropped down on one knee and popped the big question. That was such an unbelievable night full of surprises and I will never forget how absolutely perfect the whole thing was. The wedding planning process has begun and so far it has been pretty laid back and fun. Although I guess ask me in a few more months if it’s still the same…haha!
- I started Focus T25 and began my journey toward a healthier, stronger life.
What are your biggest moments of 2013?? Please, take the time to reflect on your year, truly recognize your accomplishments and use them to help you create your goals for 2014. I hope that everyone has a safe New Year’s Eve and that you ring in the new year with loved ones by your side!
itsamechristine 