Hello There Dear Stranger
/I’ve been wanting to write something - anything - on the blog for ages now. This little slice of the internet since 2011 has always been a safe space to just word vomit. But every time I opened my computer I thought I had to return with some profound post. I see others writing - so prophetically about the state of world and I felt like I couldn’t come out here waxing about what is going on in my world.
Now after my wife has made comment after comment of “maybe you should blog” or “writing a blog post would probably make you feel better” I finally am sitting down to give myself the permission to just write. Somewhere along the way I forgot that this little blog was started to give me a space to share/open up and if people read it cool - but deep down it was for me to stop shoving down my feelings/successes/failures with food and instead getting them - wait for it - off my shoulders. ;)
Once again my wife was right… don’t tell her people! It will go straight to her head, but yes she was write. I needed to just sit down and:
Update the about section on this thing - did you know it still had 12 marathons and 3 weeks ago I actually ran number 17! #Embarassing
Remove the many ambassadorships that went by the wayside when I moved abroad - more on that later
Took a quick scan on the Race calendar post for 2020 to see how many had to be removed and how many virtual races had to be added
Just remember that I am not known for waxing poetically about anything but for being authentic to who I am - which usually means a lot of selfies (I was going to say too many but there are never too many selfies and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise) and a F-bomb (or two)!
Now that the housekeeping is out of the way.
I am now snuggling up on the couch with a snoring pup, a comfy duvet and a delicious local IPA on this rainy Sunday afternoon/evening in Amsterdam to get back to that word vomit I love so well.
In case you have forgotten… this is me!
Note: I only where this cape in 2020. On every WebEx call for work. On every NP Amsterdam workout. On every run. Too much?
Note Edit: I wish I wore this every day but now I might need to…
In 2020, I have written one blog post to date, which was about a fundraiser event I did for The Stroke Association for The London Marathon. A much-needed post, but that was back in April.
But so much has happened this year both good and bad. But I am so tired of my brain focusing on the trouble happening within my own mind and in the world as a whole (especially back in my home country). So right now I want to try and focus on some of the shining moments in 2020.
While I was doing a ride with Robin on my Peloton today, Robin said when the world is struggling we need to celebrate the good when we can. Well it is time to do some of that now.
On 20 February, we found out the Tokyo Marathon was canceled. That was going to be the true kickoff to a year of travel for us: Tokyo (including Tokyo Disney), London for the London Marathon, Stockholm for the wife’s 40th birthday and more. But before things truly kicked off in Europe, we were able to pivot our first-ever 2 week holiday to Tokyo to a 1 week trip to Disney World in Florida. The wife did a fantastic job acting fast, a cast member friend of ours helped us out with a sweet discount on a hotel and off we went to our Happy Place. It was the first time we were back since January 2018 - days before we moved to Amsterdam. It was outstanding to see how the park had changed, we soaked up the sun and seeing some friends (little did I know it would be the last time we would step foot in the US in 2020 - I would’ve hugged them tighter).
But we lived up our time there and one of the highlights was FINALLY getting to take the Tangled lantern photo I had seen countless friends, and strangers, post about for years.
Within a week of returning the first lockdown officially happened and the “new normal” began. With no work travel for the foreseeable future, I took this opportunity to FINALLY refocus on my health. I had been trying to focus on it for years, but constantly letting work stress/emotional eating/travel get the front seat. This was going to be my opportunity.
I am happy to say it paid off. In 2020, I have been able to shed 40 lbs/18 kg/2.8 stone and I feel 1,000 times better. Not only does it feel better on my surgically repaired back, but I have been much more consistent with strength training this year which is also making a huge difference.
While I was happy to see a number on the scale I hadn’t seen since 2015, I have been more pleased with how strong I am feeling. The fact that I can actually do pushups - well I can do more than 1 at a time. ;)
The theme to 2020 was definitely health, fitness and wellness. I think that has been the most noticeable from my friends and family. But we had a couple pretty exciting non-health related adventures:
BUYING OUR FIRST HOUSE!!!
LEASING A CAR
We had made it long enough with using a shared car service that we finally figured out financially it was better to lease our own!
THE WIFE TURNED 40!
Our Amsterdam family really turned out to celebrate here with some kayaking and a picnic!
Buuuuttt there are some sport-related ones I need to share too:
CELEBRATED MY 1,000th PELOTON RIDE
I honestly would’ve been lost this year without my Peloton bike/app. It has allowed me to cry, laugh, sweat and smile away a LOT of stress!!
NOVEMBER PROJECT AMSTERDAM POSITIVITY AWARD
This was such a special surprise. When Antoinette was discussing the recipient, I thought it was definitely someone else in the group but it was little ‘ol me!
#RONARunStreak
I started my longest run streak since the epic 828 day #WOMSStreak! Today marked Day 208…
And last (for now) but certainly not least…
VIRTUAL LONDON MARATHON & A 5-SECOND PR
I will be able to put into words what that day means to me soon (I promise) but for now you can see just a snippet of how lucky I was to have this amazing support crew!
Well friends… this has seriously put a smile on my face! I am glad I sat down and shared some of the few good spots of 2020! There have been more for sure, but this is a good little start.
I don’t want to set myself up for failure by trying to commit myself to X number of posts, but this little exercise reminded me 1) how much I missed this and 2) how much more time I have on a Sunday when I am not marathon training. Hahaha!!
Did you all enjoy this? Can you share some successes you had? You know I love to cheer you all on!
