Morning, everyone! ☀️ It’s a cold but clear morning here in Atlanta, and I can definitely feel the wind-down toward the end of the year coming — work is slower, people are cocooning at home, my stack of books is calling, you can just feel it, right?
That means it’s also a great time to look over the past year and take stock — what’s the running accomplishment (or any other accomplishment!) you achieved this year that you’re most proud of?
For me, it’s running the Richmond Half Marathon with you all back in November — first, because we got to get together in person, a long-time goal of mine for THM, but also because I proved to myself I could run 13 miles again… and maybe more.
I love hearing what you guys have done. Maybe you ran a half or a full marathon for the first time, achieved a PR, or tackled something you didn’t think you could do. It doesn’t even have to be in running! Let’s celebrate it all. — Terrell
Dec 17, 2023·edited Dec 17, 2023Liked by Terrell Johnson
The thing I am most proud of this year is moving my family to Spain. 11 months ago we hired an immigration attorney and this week we completed the process, picking up our resident ID cards at the police station here in Girona. We sold nearly everything, I left my job, resumed my private practice part time, and then we moved across 9 time zones and I single-handedly found a place for us to live, a good school for my son, and a welcome community to help us integrate. It has been the most adulting I have ever done in my 45 years, even more challenging than learning to be a parent! I started my Substack to document the process, which is then what led me here.
Integration is hard and learning how to be an adult in a new culture with new rules and ways of doing everything is also hard, but we are so much happier here than we were in the USA. I've solidly earned the extra grey hairs that popped up this year!
Running - I had big plans this year which may have been beyond my capabilities (shaving 7 min off my half marathon time) and what was possible was assuredly derailed by our international move and the stress of that process. I've spent the last month reassessing my training, which has felt more like torture than anything the last 2 months, and am bailing on my Seville half marathon because my heart is no longer in it. While in time I may be proud of myself for 'knowing when to hold them and when to fold them', right now I'm still a little disappointed, although I have put the grief of possibly never reaching my pace goal behind me for the moment. I am committed to not signing up for another race unless I am 100% certain I will not bait myself into expecting a PR and have no performance expectations beyond enjoying myself. I want running to be fun again. In Q1 of 2024 I am committed to just running a base plan and relearning how to enjoy running. I also want to finally be consistent with weight training, aiming for 2-3 times a week.
I’m so happy to have completed the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. That was a bucket list for me. But one and done. I did 23 races this year (I over committed myself). I did all the Disney races this year. So I’m super happy to check that off the list too. At 56, glad to still be running! And hope to be into my 70s!!
I'm proud of running in Richmond with you all too! What a great experience training and racing together. I hope we meet up again in the spring. My December challenge is 31 miles in 31 days, and so far I am up to 15 (this week was busy-don't judge). Today was a slow and steady three miles on a warm December Saturday-it hit 50 degrees here on LI. Some days I am most proud of just getting out there and doing something positive for my body and mind, like today. Enjoy the weekend all!
I’m nowhere near up to half marathon distance as yet but this year I rediscovered my love of running, joined a local parkrun group, raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK by doing a 100km challenge throughout September and have achieved a personal best 5km time of 26:29! I have booked myself on to 2 x 10km runs in the New Year. I have lost a lot of weight, feel half my age and have a more positive outlook on life. Not bad way to end the year. Hope everyone is safe and well.
A lot to be grateful about in 2023. Managing to pull out of the plantar fasciitis from last year and run a couple of halves and a marathon without pain was huge for me running wise. But more importantly my husband and younger son’s health challenges (different for both) transitioned from extremely serious in 2022 to now slowly fully recovered. What a year! I hope the positive trend continues next year
I started 2023 at 14 states and I am ending 2023 with 25 states completed and one state KS was a PR.
Ideally I'd love to have someone join me on these adventures, either as a runner or sherpa (as one friend has 😄) but I have found the running community to be so supportive that it's uplifting even on my currently solo journey which is PRICELESS!🏃♀️✈️🥰
I'm especially happy to find my running family. I joined the Honolulu Marathon clinic back in March and we trained every Sunday leading to last Sunday's Honolulu Marathon. I thought it would be my best PR but ended up going in with strained calf and a fever. Overall, I'm proud of showing up at all our trainings and cannot wait for our upcoming fun runs. Happy Holidays everyone!
Can't say I've done anything monumental this year. Moved from an apartment in WA into a house that my daughter bought in Oregon. Lots of hills, but we are learning to cope with them. Ran/walked an in-person 5K in November. . . first one in 2+years. I have a half marathon scheduled in April here in Eugene and a 10K in July in San Francisco. I am hoping to meet-up with everyone in the community for our Spring meet-Up which should be fabulous! Read a couple of good running books that I actually finished Now I'm on to Tuesdays with Morrie that has been waiting in the wings. Lots of wisdom to be absorbed--even by someone almost as old as Morrie! Running with Raven will be here in a few short days. Reading seems to be what most intrigues me at the moment. . . I'm told it is good for the brain!
Foggy and in the 40s here. Looks to be the same til the beginning of next year. :) Take Care! :)
On the non-running side of my world, I finally saw the light late in the year. This was how my position was affecting my well being. That came about through a job change (not of my making but). Now that I can see the signs the hope is to not repeat it and maybe even help others see it as well.
Hey everyone, I had a running year of 2 halves. In Winter and Spring I started trail running and was gradually extending distance on the mountain trails and was loving it. Then I started coughing which got worse and worse so I couldn't climb the stairs at home without breathlessness. After some time out following a diagnosis, I've resumed swimming - all's going well so will be hitting the trails again over Christmas. This year was all about experiencing the highs and the lows and learning to keep positive and to not ignore warning signs like persistent coughs. Enjoy your running everyone.
I'm 5 books away from my Goodreads goal of 65 books read in 2023. (My goal at the beginning of the year was Stream Less/Read More.) I'm 3 chapters away from finishing my manuscript. AND I completed my second year of living an alcohol-free life. (A choice I made for a number of reasons, but longevity science tipped me over to the teetotal side.) So while I typically can focus on all the things I have NOT done--this is a pretty good list of the things I have...
Finished 3 half marathons this year despite surgery in March. Made it through my husband’s stage 3 kidney cancer diagnosis and treatment (which appears successful - but he now has CT scans every 4 months for the next five years before he is officially “cancer free”). Moved our oldest into his first apartment. And, remodeled the house we’ve lived in for 23 years. It’s been a long, challenging year, but we accomplished a lot and are still standing.
Hey all... for me, it wasn't a successful year as far as racing or big gains in speed, but I didn't give up; i still keep pluggin away. Now I get more joy from encouraging others to either get started or to continue on their running journey.
Had some big race accomplishments for the year, but I’m especially proud of joining a running group and going regularly through my last training session. I might be the slowest, but it feels good to see the huge gains in a short period alongside new people (who I now get to cheer on!)
I did complete a half last February and a number of 5ks but the highlight for my year was traveling by myself to Europe(first time) and hiking the TMB for 8 days with a group called Adventures in Good Company. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and may ever do but definitely the highlight.
2+ years into my breast cancer treatment I decided it was my turn to give back so I completed the Susan G. Komen 60 mile 3-day walk and, in the process, raised over $10,500 for further research. I've added running segments to my walking, I hope to complete a 5k and 10k in 2024, running all the way.
Terrell, awesome job with completing the half marathon! What a rewarding and confidence booster that would have been.
For me, two things I am thrilled about. Two things I never thought possible. Going over 26.2 for the first time running my first 50k in June. And then running an exceptional marathon in Columbus nailing a 5+ min PR at 2:45:50. What made that truly amazing was my parents were there to see the accomplishment. Hearing them both cheer was special
great topic! i got through the year injury free. my running (and motivation) aren't what i want them to me, and i have a constant fear of another achilles injury, but this year was better than last.
Ran my first half marathon on Thanksgiving Day at the Invesco QQQ Half in Atlanta. Next up, the Publix half in February. Looking to continue my half marathon journey and take it to a full in 2024
Running a half marathon for the first time seemed genuinely impossible, but this race is paving the way for more marathons in 2024
The thing I am most proud of this year is moving my family to Spain. 11 months ago we hired an immigration attorney and this week we completed the process, picking up our resident ID cards at the police station here in Girona. We sold nearly everything, I left my job, resumed my private practice part time, and then we moved across 9 time zones and I single-handedly found a place for us to live, a good school for my son, and a welcome community to help us integrate. It has been the most adulting I have ever done in my 45 years, even more challenging than learning to be a parent! I started my Substack to document the process, which is then what led me here.
Integration is hard and learning how to be an adult in a new culture with new rules and ways of doing everything is also hard, but we are so much happier here than we were in the USA. I've solidly earned the extra grey hairs that popped up this year!
Running - I had big plans this year which may have been beyond my capabilities (shaving 7 min off my half marathon time) and what was possible was assuredly derailed by our international move and the stress of that process. I've spent the last month reassessing my training, which has felt more like torture than anything the last 2 months, and am bailing on my Seville half marathon because my heart is no longer in it. While in time I may be proud of myself for 'knowing when to hold them and when to fold them', right now I'm still a little disappointed, although I have put the grief of possibly never reaching my pace goal behind me for the moment. I am committed to not signing up for another race unless I am 100% certain I will not bait myself into expecting a PR and have no performance expectations beyond enjoying myself. I want running to be fun again. In Q1 of 2024 I am committed to just running a base plan and relearning how to enjoy running. I also want to finally be consistent with weight training, aiming for 2-3 times a week.
I’m so happy to have completed the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. That was a bucket list for me. But one and done. I did 23 races this year (I over committed myself). I did all the Disney races this year. So I’m super happy to check that off the list too. At 56, glad to still be running! And hope to be into my 70s!!
I ran my first 10k in 2 years! And accepted that the physiotherapist needs to be a regular date at my age 😂
I'm proud of running in Richmond with you all too! What a great experience training and racing together. I hope we meet up again in the spring. My December challenge is 31 miles in 31 days, and so far I am up to 15 (this week was busy-don't judge). Today was a slow and steady three miles on a warm December Saturday-it hit 50 degrees here on LI. Some days I am most proud of just getting out there and doing something positive for my body and mind, like today. Enjoy the weekend all!
I’m nowhere near up to half marathon distance as yet but this year I rediscovered my love of running, joined a local parkrun group, raised hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK by doing a 100km challenge throughout September and have achieved a personal best 5km time of 26:29! I have booked myself on to 2 x 10km runs in the New Year. I have lost a lot of weight, feel half my age and have a more positive outlook on life. Not bad way to end the year. Hope everyone is safe and well.
A lot to be grateful about in 2023. Managing to pull out of the plantar fasciitis from last year and run a couple of halves and a marathon without pain was huge for me running wise. But more importantly my husband and younger son’s health challenges (different for both) transitioned from extremely serious in 2022 to now slowly fully recovered. What a year! I hope the positive trend continues next year
Running Berlin with a cold that was not planned. Meeting a wonderful group of people that together finished the race that I now count as friends.
I am on a quest to run a half in all 50 states.
I started 2023 at 14 states and I am ending 2023 with 25 states completed and one state KS was a PR.
Ideally I'd love to have someone join me on these adventures, either as a runner or sherpa (as one friend has 😄) but I have found the running community to be so supportive that it's uplifting even on my currently solo journey which is PRICELESS!🏃♀️✈️🥰
I can't wait for her sake.
I'm especially happy to find my running family. I joined the Honolulu Marathon clinic back in March and we trained every Sunday leading to last Sunday's Honolulu Marathon. I thought it would be my best PR but ended up going in with strained calf and a fever. Overall, I'm proud of showing up at all our trainings and cannot wait for our upcoming fun runs. Happy Holidays everyone!
Can't say I've done anything monumental this year. Moved from an apartment in WA into a house that my daughter bought in Oregon. Lots of hills, but we are learning to cope with them. Ran/walked an in-person 5K in November. . . first one in 2+years. I have a half marathon scheduled in April here in Eugene and a 10K in July in San Francisco. I am hoping to meet-up with everyone in the community for our Spring meet-Up which should be fabulous! Read a couple of good running books that I actually finished Now I'm on to Tuesdays with Morrie that has been waiting in the wings. Lots of wisdom to be absorbed--even by someone almost as old as Morrie! Running with Raven will be here in a few short days. Reading seems to be what most intrigues me at the moment. . . I'm told it is good for the brain!
Foggy and in the 40s here. Looks to be the same til the beginning of next year. :) Take Care! :)
Solo backpacking trip and graduating from grad school.
Already got my 2024 physical challenge planned out - Grand Canyon Rim to Rim.
The running goal of the past year was the completion of the 4x4x48 challenge which was an adventure in itself. I also did a compliment of other events. If you would like to read about my 4x4x48 adventure I have my first essay of maybe many posted at https://open.substack.com/pub/mikechekal/p/the-4x4x48-essay?r=2swvz&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web.
On the non-running side of my world, I finally saw the light late in the year. This was how my position was affecting my well being. That came about through a job change (not of my making but). Now that I can see the signs the hope is to not repeat it and maybe even help others see it as well.
Hey everyone, I had a running year of 2 halves. In Winter and Spring I started trail running and was gradually extending distance on the mountain trails and was loving it. Then I started coughing which got worse and worse so I couldn't climb the stairs at home without breathlessness. After some time out following a diagnosis, I've resumed swimming - all's going well so will be hitting the trails again over Christmas. This year was all about experiencing the highs and the lows and learning to keep positive and to not ignore warning signs like persistent coughs. Enjoy your running everyone.
I'm 5 books away from my Goodreads goal of 65 books read in 2023. (My goal at the beginning of the year was Stream Less/Read More.) I'm 3 chapters away from finishing my manuscript. AND I completed my second year of living an alcohol-free life. (A choice I made for a number of reasons, but longevity science tipped me over to the teetotal side.) So while I typically can focus on all the things I have NOT done--this is a pretty good list of the things I have...
Finished 3 half marathons this year despite surgery in March. Made it through my husband’s stage 3 kidney cancer diagnosis and treatment (which appears successful - but he now has CT scans every 4 months for the next five years before he is officially “cancer free”). Moved our oldest into his first apartment. And, remodeled the house we’ve lived in for 23 years. It’s been a long, challenging year, but we accomplished a lot and are still standing.
Hey all... for me, it wasn't a successful year as far as racing or big gains in speed, but I didn't give up; i still keep pluggin away. Now I get more joy from encouraging others to either get started or to continue on their running journey.
Had some big race accomplishments for the year, but I’m especially proud of joining a running group and going regularly through my last training session. I might be the slowest, but it feels good to see the huge gains in a short period alongside new people (who I now get to cheer on!)
I did complete a half last February and a number of 5ks but the highlight for my year was traveling by myself to Europe(first time) and hiking the TMB for 8 days with a group called Adventures in Good Company. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done and may ever do but definitely the highlight.
2+ years into my breast cancer treatment I decided it was my turn to give back so I completed the Susan G. Komen 60 mile 3-day walk and, in the process, raised over $10,500 for further research. I've added running segments to my walking, I hope to complete a 5k and 10k in 2024, running all the way.
Terrell, awesome job with completing the half marathon! What a rewarding and confidence booster that would have been.
For me, two things I am thrilled about. Two things I never thought possible. Going over 26.2 for the first time running my first 50k in June. And then running an exceptional marathon in Columbus nailing a 5+ min PR at 2:45:50. What made that truly amazing was my parents were there to see the accomplishment. Hearing them both cheer was special
great topic! i got through the year injury free. my running (and motivation) aren't what i want them to me, and i have a constant fear of another achilles injury, but this year was better than last.
Ran my first half marathon on Thanksgiving Day at the Invesco QQQ Half in Atlanta. Next up, the Publix half in February. Looking to continue my half marathon journey and take it to a full in 2024
running again after a partial knee replacement at age 74