Without question, 2014 was the biggest “holy shit!” year of my life.

It wasn’t necessarily “the best” (although in some ways it was), and it wasn’t even the most “life-changing,” but it was certainly filled with the most moments where I couldn’t really believe everything that was happening.

In the spirit of the New Year, and because I feel like I want to actually document the craziness that was this past year, here’s a look at the big stuff that happened in 2014. Warning, there was a lot of it. And in hindsight, a great majority of it had to do with running.

January

After being immobile, inactive, and basically a waste of space for so long, I finally returned to the land of the living and started, well, living again. And running.

February

Surprise! We’re moving! I left my 8-years of Washington residency and followed Adam and his new job to the motherland, Colorado. I quit my job and took a leap of faith into the unknown of a new city and no employment.

March

Duh

But also! I got a new job approximately 60 hours after our moving truck pulled up to our new apartment. Trust me, I do not take for granted my luck in this department. Now I had a new city, new fiancee, and a new job. Life was blowing up in my face.

April

Crohn’s is back. Bad.

Running the Boston Marathon despite Crohn’s being back. Good! This was a huge highlight for the year. I like to daydream about this experience a lot of the time.

Go with my new friend Julia to a workout group called, “November Project.” Get my ass kicked. Become hooked.

May

Nothing huge happened in May, but here were some fun things I did. Also, Crohn’s starting to settle down. Good!

June

I climbed ten 14ers this summer and became addicted to the all-consuming, primal feel of being in the mountains. The first one was in June, therefore June gets to be highlighted.

July

Ragnar NWP! I made my way back to beautiful Seattle and ran 35+ glorious miles with my wonderful WA running family. I felt the best stomach-wise and running-wise than I had in 8 months. Happiness all around.

August

Bird Camp! Had a lot of fun running around Bend, OR with Oiselle teammates plus old and new friends.

September

Ran a super fun half-marathon with my family, start to feel my speed coming back, get a little more confident in potential for Philadelphia Marathon.

October

Witness a “first marathon” experience from the other side. Seeing Anna cross that finish line was unbelievably inspiring.

I also start going to yoga again, which made me wonder why I ever stopped. I’m resolved to continue my practice throughout 2015.

November

The best race I’ve ever run. Unexpectedly PR’ed the marathon, broke 3:30, and actually enjoyed every step of 26.2 miles.

December

We’re moving!

Yes, again. Our site-unseen tiny apartment worked temporarily, but it was time for an upgrade. Adam and I found a perfect little bungalow (rental) house, and we’re in the process of moving all our things in several back-and-forth 8 minute car trips. We’re elated.

It’s hard to believe that 2015 could top 2014. So many changes happened, and if you told me on December 31, 2013 that all of the above would occur, I would never have believed you. But that’s the wonderful thing about life; the unexpected tends to hold the most fun. I can’t imagine life right now without some of the things that occurred in 2014 (NP, Denver, etc.), and I have a feeling the good stuff is only going to continue to get better.

Oh, and there’s a certain occasion happening on June 20^th this upcoming year. I’m just guessing here, but I’m pretty sure that milestone will make it’s way to the top of my 2015 list. I can’t wait to see, though, what the rest of it holds. 🙂

Happy New Year everyone!