Tis the Season . . .

This time of year I always myself reminiscing about the past year. It's easy to use the holidays as a reference point for where/who I was this same time last year - or most any previous year.

While the days seem to fly by, when I look back to a year ago, it feels so far away. So many things have changed - most for the better.

As I review the events, people, and places from 2008, a few items stand out:

1. Rock 'n Roll Marathon, San Diego California, June 1 - My First Marathon: Like all "firsts" this race was significant beyond the actual event itself. The preparation and anticipation were unmatched by the race. I discovered a new little part of myself through the process - always a good outcome from any "First." It was also my first trip, as an adult, to sunny San Diego - a place I hope to visit again and again.

2. Ivy Castleman - My New Favorite Person: Every woman needs a friend like Ivy. We make plans for great adventures, talk often about our misadventures, genuinely agree on our fabulousness, and have a wonderful time together. I don't think I've grown so close to anyone so quickly. I attribute it to our shared love for three important things: 1) men, 2) wine/food, and 3) Radiohead/good music. Some might say we're crazy, and we'd probably agree, but we sure know how to have fun!

3. Fast Forward Sports - My New Team: I've never enjoyed getting to know a group of perfect strangers as much as I have enjoyed my time with my running team. The coaches are knowledgeable and experienced, but never prideful, and always encouraging. We all look forward to our group training sessions, and thoroughly enjoy each others' company. I'm really excited to make them a big part of 2009!

4. 1010 Emerson Street, Denver CO - My First Apartment: Another "First" for the year. Once again, the anticipation, preparation, etc. of its "firstness" are greater than the actual thing. But it's my place, I've made it home. I don't plan on giving up my own space any time soon.

5. Wild West Relay, Fort Collins to Steamboat Springs, August 21-22 - My Big Challenge: As if running marathons wasn't enough for my first year as a "runner," I joined up with a(nother) group of perfect strangers to run 195 miles through mountain wilderness, at altitudes where trees hardly grow. I'd like to think of this as my introduction to endurance racing as God intended it. Road races are all well and good, but until you trudge along side elk at 12,000 feet and you can barely see the trail for the undergrowth in the middle of the night or in 102 degree temperatures (within the same 32 hour period), you don't know running. Again, I hope to make this a part of 2009, as well as tackling the Imogene Pass Run.

6. Dill, Dill, Carr, Stonbraker & Hutchings, PC - My New Job (Saving the World One Drinking Establishment at a Time): Any place you spend 40+ hours/week becomes a significant part of your life. If you're a regular blog reader, you know that this job has brought both joy and consternation on my part. I'm thankful to be employed and working with someone who appreciates what I do. It's not exactly what I dreamed I'd be doing right now, but that's in process.

I think I've come a long way this year. I'm a more confident woman; more comfortable in my own skin. I have developed some great new friendships, and lost contact with a few people who I dreamed would be a significant part of my life for, well, for my whole life. That's the funny thing about time and space - they have contradictory effects. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," but separation changes the relationship between people so that they hardly know each other any more. Maybe the heart has to overcompensate for the chasm between people? Perhaps it's because you forget the negative aspects of a relationship over time, but the good memories stick with you?

Either way, this time last year I was singing "I love yous" across miles, today I'm trying my best to believe that it was real and not just some naive creation by my romantic heart and wild imagination. I know that sounds worse than what I mean to say. I'm not "giving up on love," but I hope that in 2009 I can take a more measured approach. I've been fairly careless with my heart this year, and I'd like to put the pieces back together and make it work again.