I don't want to let 2016 slip away without even one blog post for the entire year so I reviewed my daily planner notes and jotted down some highlights.
Winter....
I endeavored to learn to play piano, the Casio CGP700 purchased in November. I also purchased a new iMac computer over a year ago. I haven't done much with either. I spend too much time on my iPad mini. I continued to work at Culver Academy and continued to attend Run Class on Wednesdays. Pat and I tried cross country skiing at Love Creek in Berrien, MI. It was too slick, hilly, and dangerous for beginners so we switched to snowshoes and traversed a trail. I still would like to try to cross country ski under more favorable circumstances if we get sufficient snow at the parks with flat trails that offer rentals.
Spring......
April 23 was Passover and also the 10 mile Max Move which I walked with MorningSun Kelly. Pat ran most of it. He took up running in the Spring of 2015 and soon surpassed me. In May I started having difficulty working a full 8 hour day and needed to leave early sometimes. I felt exhausted, depleted after 6 or 7 hours of work. These "episodes" continued the rest of the year with increasing frequency but I was not allowed to reduce my hours as I hoped to do. I did not feel up to doing the Alumni 5K this year but Pat did. We did a five mile Volksmarch at Potawatomi Wildlife Park. I walked more than ran. I paddleboarded May 30 and a few times over the summer, but not much energy for that either. We did do an 18 mile bike ride on the Judson/Erie trail which wore me out.
Summer.....
Pat and I did our first competitive race of the year, the Field Station Frenzy 5K in Chesterton on June 4. My time was 36:33/11:47 for 3rd place AG. Did another 5K on June 11 in North Liberty (Pat 31:59/10:19; me 37:18/12:02). No crazy winter races like last year through hip deep snow and knee deep ice water! Great memories but that was enough adventure for me to last a lifetime. On Shavuot we did a 10 mile bike ride on the Panhandle Path in Winamac, casting our bread into the Tippecanoe waters from the bridge. We enjoyed several more bike rides over the summer and fall, exploring various bike trails. Only rode Misty a few times. I have a nice western saddle now yet don't ride like I thought I would. Too tired after work, no energy. Ran 3 more races over the summer with times slower than last year. Took a kayak lesson at St. Patrick's County Park, South Bend. Pat and I volunteered at the Lake Max Triathlon in August. Pat was inspired to train to participate next year.
Fall......
Mash the Creek 5.5K was memorable for mud puddles and mosquitos on September 10. The mosquitos were horrible for many weeks this year. Bike riding became a better option than walking or running. On September 25 we visited Silver Beach in St. Joseph, MI. Denise visited on October 3 and we walked at Coffee Creek, Chesterton. Tashlich at Creek afterwards. Our most enjoyable race was the Sandhill Crane 5K in Vandalia, Michigan on October 8. It was scenic and hilly and fun. Pat joined Lifeplex gym in late October and has been taking classes and swimming a few times a week. I continued to have good days and bad days with low energy and feeling "sick." Had to leave work early many times due to exhaustion and headaches. It did not help that there has been a high pitched infernal hum in the building that still has not been remedied. Denise and Lexi visited on Thanksgiving Break and I felt good while they were here. Denise, Pat, and I did the South Bend Turkey Trot together with over 400 participants. I was happy with my time (37:09/11:59). I tried a Body Pump class at Lifeplex and enjoyed it.
December......
Exhaustion and not feeling well became worse. I wondered if I could continue to work full time. I was told I looked pale at times and my health coach suggested I take iron and eat more. I was down to 110 lbs and size 2. So on December 23, after two years of vegetarianism (but eating eggs, dairy, fish), I prayed about it and decided that maybe animals make better vegetarians than I do. I did not have the time or energy to do it right. I started eating organic beef and chicken and taking a liquid iron supplement. I feel better already and ran an 11:36 pace mile yesterday!
Onward.....to 2017, and whatever it holds.
