It’s hard to believe it’s time to sit down and put another one of these together. I think we can all agree that 2022 absolutely flew by, and I hope yours was as filled to the brim with the things that bring you joy as mine was. I don’t have much more to say besides buckle in, because this year was a ton of fun to live through – hopefully, writing (and potentially reading) this year in review will portray at least a sliver of that fun.
January
The year kicked off with another COVID-conscious New Years’ celebration with Stephen, Hannah, Andrew, and Shelby. Shelby truly was the host with the most; I wish I had a picture of the charcuterie board she put together, but a nice group picture will just have to do.
While the year had a lot of really awesome highlights, it did have a bit of a rocky start after our wonderful celebration. For the first six-ish months of the year, I was working really hard. There were a lot of long days, late nights, and shorter-than-I’d-like post-work runs, but it all paid off in the end (we’ll get there!) I was not only working full-time in my new role at Promoboxx, but I was also freelancing for Mizuno in some of the free time that I had. I was learning a ton and although it was a lot of work, I was enjoying knowing I was truly doing everything I could to soak in those opportunities.
All of that work came with some small sacrifices – the one that impacted me the most was likely dropping out of the 50k whose registration had rolled over at the time. Luckily, they allowed me to defer to 2023, but I was left feeling any motivation to run just zapped out of me. So, January found me pulling the trigger on the Tunnel Hill 50 mile registration – woohoo!
This year also held a lot of travel, and we kicked off our adventures early on a 10 day trip to Tennessee (where I was allowed to reap the benefits of working 100% remotely). We spent almost a week in Pigeon Forge with Andrew and Shelby, and the rest of the time in Chattanooga at Stephen’s parents’ house. This trip would wind up with lasting impacts on our future plans, and it was nice to have a change of scenery!
February
I won’t repeat myself with how hard I was working again – it’s a theme that carries through pretty much the whole first half of the year. There were still a lot of happy moments between zoom calls. This winter was a lot milder than the year before, so Lucy was able to enjoy herself just a little bit more. Another big moment came in February for the Fleet Feet Crew, the end of an era as Jeni moved to Madison, WI for a job with ASICS (which she has been CRUSHING!) We sent her off in style with a Monday night fun run (sponsored by ASICS, of course), and a night at Woodies.
With the 50 miler registration in the bag, I decided to also secure a spot for the Chicago Marathon with Team PAWS. I hadn’t ever run for charity before, but knew that it would come into play at some point in my “running career.” With all of my goals and racing plans for the year starting to solidify, I was finally feeling excited to get back to training and running regularly. Unfortunately, this is about the time when my low-grade injuries would start to pop up and change those plans… although, thankfully, nothing too de-railing. Stephen would also start to experiment with winter running during the fairly mild winter, and it gave us the chance to share some of our miles together.
The high point of the quarter was definitely rewarded at the end of February – with our first trip to Europe together, and our first big trip since COVID broke out…to Paris! We were able to take advantage of Stephen’s flight benefits with United, and were so lucky to have a Polaris seat on both the flight there and back. Flying in that elevated class across the Atlantic had always been a far-reaching, maybe-someday bucket list item for me (I certainly never thought I’d cross that off in my 20s), but it helped us make the most out of our three-day trip to Paris.
Although our trip was only three days, we sure packed as much as we could into that time. We saw a lot, ate as much as we could fit in our belly, and adjusted to the time change as quickly as possible (especially since we were both VERY out of practice). Aunt Vicki came down to spend the time with Lucy, who may have had even MORE fun than we did!
There was one more big moment of February that I didn’t get any photos of – and that was Sam coming to visit Jessie and I in Chicago. We spent one Friday night catching up and giggling way too much, and Saturday took ourselves out to a nice dinner before catching Hadestown – my first musical of the year, and shockingly, the one that would take a bunch of spots in my Top 100 song list for the year.
March
After getting back to Chicago (by way of Newark), it was back to reality. March held a lot more work (again, I won’t repeat myself), but still a few notable moments. Probably one of my favorites was running the Shamrock Shuffle with Stephen – his first race ever, and easily one of my FAVORITE Chicago running community events. It was a joy to share this part of the community with him.
March is likely where it shows the most just how much I missed out on creating lasting memories – but it had its moments! One of those was spending some time with friends and trying new beer. Sometimes, it’s truly the little things that can make the biggest difference.
April
Things started to get more manageable work-wise in April, and I essentially felt like I may be able to start reaping the benefits of all the hard work I had put in. Things were going really well, and to make life sweeter, we had a lot of fun things on the calendar to look ahead to.
First was another big trip! Although these plans changed… a LOT… it wound up working out perfectly. I won’t walk you through plans A, B, C, or D, but at the end of it all we wound up spending just short of a week in Colorado, driving back the long way through the Badlands. Lucy got to join us for this trip, and we all had a great time. While I was working, Stephen got some quality time with Lucy, and thankfully, I was able to take a few days off so we could spend the time exploring some of the mountain towns west of Denver – especially Leadville, where we made a special trip to Melanzana.
We were also able to spend some time with our collection of friends in Denver. Within a day of being out there, I knew it was a place we could thrive and build a fun, exciting life. The trip to Tennessee reminded me how much I missed living close to/around mountains, and the opportunities that afforded. This trip to Colorado was the final piece that convinced me a move out West had to be in the cards. It was something Stephen had been exploring when we first met and didn’t take much convincing for us to begin to take the steps needed to relocate together.
After returning from Colorado, I was able to catch up with the regular crew who likely will look familiar from a lot of these winter months last year – for the long-awaited “Titanic Night” hosted by Jordan. This included us all dressing to the 1912’s, Jordan constructing a replica of the ship, and themed games. Unfortunately, I was battling quite the cold, but it was too momentous of an occasion to miss.
April also brought our first anniversary together – the weather was crappy, but we shared some miles together (at the start of my long run), and had a really nice, low-key day together. It also brought Stephen’s second musical ever (and my second for the year), a night out at Six (which was incredible, and so much fun…even in our nosebleed, back row seats).
The month ended with another teary farewell to Jessie, who was set to move to California just over a week after our farewell day at the ballpark and at Penny’s – because, of course. This was also one of the first nice days of the year, made sweeter by sharing such a gorgeous day with such a close friend.
May
I felt like I could breathe again by the time May rolled around. Work was still busy, but the weather was warming up and I knew I was on the cusp of beginning a new training block. Stephen and I had made the decision to move in together in preparation for a much larger relocation together, so moving was first on the agenda. We slowly moved things from our separate homes into our new shared apartment over the course of two weeks, which was obviously very time-consuming and a bit stressful at times.
We still made time for fun an impressive amount of times! One of the best parts of the weeks of moving for me was definitely ending the final day with a trip to the theater for Moulin Rouge with my former coworker (from the DGS color guard days) Megan. She had some truly fantastic seats for a WONDERFUL experience of an incredible performance, and it was a nice way to wrap up a hectic couple of weeks.
Another highlight from May was the semi-regular return of Friday Night Pints, including celebrating Jen and Ansel’s birthday and a beer tasting event at Gallagher Way outside of Wrigley, and having everyone over on Memorial Day weekend for our housewarming. Nothing makes it feel like home than your friends bringing over a bunch of beer!
Some slightly unfortunate news from May was that darn plantar fasciitis still flaring up. With the increase of weekly mileage barreling towards me on the calendar – I knew it was time to consult the pros. I started at Athletico twice a week… but still managed to run a half marathon and attend my first rehearsal for the Chicago Pride Guard.
June
Sticking on the unfortunate note, it was a major bummer that June began with my first (and only, so far) positive COVID test. Stephen and I had gone for a run together the day before, and my body felt like total crap. It was getting warmer out, so although I thought that was why – I guess it’s nice to know that it was, indeed, COVID, and not just my wimpyness towards the heat. Luckily I really only felt totally terrible for about two days, then just slept a ton for the rest of the week.
But after COVID was kicked, and I was clear to see friends again…things ramped up fast.
First, I had a happy rainy birthday where Stephen, Hannah, and Billy agreed to have sushi by the lake with me (even though it was starting to spit rain and the wind made it a bit chilly), followed by games and ice cream cake back home. Friday Morning Swim Club started back up on Stephen’s birthday, and it truly felt like summer was here with our Friday routine returning to one of the highlights of 2021. My (now longtime) co-worker Ashley stopped by for a night during her move to Minneapolis – which was our first time EVER meeting in person after working together for well over two years at that point.
All of these things were wonderful and awesome, but the true highlight of June was participating in parades across the Chicagoland area with the Chicago Pride Guard. The first parade was out in Aurora and so very, very short – but it felt so good to spin a flag and perform again. The big kahuna came right at the end of June during Chicago Pride: the Pride Parade. It was probably close to 2.5 miles long, and it felt like we were pushing non-stop energy the entire way. Pride especially reminded me just how much I love this art form and how incredible it is to be part of the marching arts community. I am so proud to have marched alongside so many incredibly talented performers as an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community. Joining and performing with CPG is easily one of my “top three” of the year, so I can’t overstate how honored I am to have been invited to join this group.
Training for Tunnel Hill also began in June, sort of, but it took a little bit of a backseat to all of the CPG events happening (and while I worked through my most busy month of the year for Business Reviews).
July
While COVID slightly derailed the beginning of my training, continuing in PT would derail things the most in July (at least it felt that way). It seemed like every couple of weeks something new would pop up. It started with the foot, then the other knee got wonky for a while, and lastly, a different pain in my foot that had me nervous about a stress fracture. We were happily able to rule out a stress fracture (pretty quickly, thankfully), and after some additional drama, that was the end of my constant PT visits for the year. After a week of decent running behind me, and no concerning pain to speak of – training for the 50 miler could really begin.
July had a lot of other really awesome moments though. We spent the entire Fourth of July weekend by the lake – with a swim club stop Friday morning, Hollywood Beach with the Fleet Feet crew another day, and jumping in at Montrose Harbor while grilling with Andrew and Shelby.
My parents also came to visit one weekend and made it in time for their first Friday Morning Swim Club. Unfortunately, the weather was pretty nasty, so we did get to watch the float race…but only Dad, Stephen, and I jumped in since the water was super choppy. They really enjoyed the Printer’s Row coffee – even asking for one more quick cup (and Nicole obliging) as we watched the torrential downpour come closer towards us off the lake.
A couple other everyday highlights were Brian’s going-away party and a fun, warm run with Hannah and Julie one morning. Plus, clearly, lots and lots of Friday Morning Swim Club.
August
Finally, some solid weeks of running all put together – and it was going well! I felt my fitness getting to a better place, and was excited for a few weeks back at home in cooler weather to let the training continue to roll. Before heading back to Minnesota though, Stephen unfortunately got his first (and only, so far) positive COVID test. This meant he was unable to join me for Mel’s wedding weekend activities (as I kept testing negative for COVID, and we returned to our COVID protocols at the apartment from when I was the sick one). That weekend held a few other fun things: a long run on Saturday, a second long (EASY) run on Sunday with Hannah, and a quick reunion with Kerri!
Another night at the theater was also on the books with Jen and Hannah, for the premiere of the Devil Wears Prada musical – shockingly, we were there the same night as Elton John (who wrote the music.) Stephen and I also went to a Cubs night game to soak in a little more Chicago summer.
Then we were Minnesota-bound! We camped at St. Croix State park to start with some of my extended family, worked from my parent’s house for a week, I ran a half marathon…and then we embarked on Stephen’s first trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
It was so wonderful to fully disconnect and spend that time with Stephen and my parents – another highlight of the summer. While Lucy came with us to Minnesota, she would sit the canoe part out to hang out with a bunch of other dogs to our surprise, and she did really well – we returned to Grand Rapids with a whole new version of Lucy.
September
Here’s when things start to get REALLY fun-focused. After leaving the BWCA, we wound up spending another week at my parents’ house, surrounded by beautiful weather and taking advantage of getting out on the boat when we could. Then it was back to sweet home Chicago to make sure we didn’t have a bug infestation (thank you for house-checking, Hannah!)
We returned to the swing of it pretty quickly. We likely would have stayed up North for another week if I didn’t have a doctor’s appointment to get back for, but we still filled the month with tons of fun activities. Of course, starting with Swim Club.
The running really kept ramping up in September. This month would have some of my highest volume for the year, and I was feeling really really strong. Hannah and I would crush Ready to Run ahead of the Chicago Marathon, and during a season ticket holder event (Stephen’s brother is the ticket holder – we just reap the benefits sometimes) I even got to round the bases at Wrigley.
There was also a solid, solid week of theater crammed into September, too. It kicked off by seeing Anastasia Jen and Hannah, then supporting one of Hannah’s performances of Chagall in School, and rounded out with The Notebook Musical (probably one of my favorites of the year).
We also did some trivia nights in September, the highlight of one being a Tuesday at Guthrie’s where Lucy’s Household Staff (Stephen, Hannah, and me) took home third place – which really meant taking something from the lost & found as our prize.
October
Of course, October kicked off with the Chicago Marathon. One thing I will always love about Chicago are the weeks leading into the marathon – somehow, even people who aren’t running or participating in any way with the event, exude energy and excitement on their laps of the lakefront path. It’s just something magical that I can’t really explain, and I just love it. It makes running it that much more thrilling.
This year was a little different for me with the marathon. I raised money all year for PAWS, the no-kill animal shelter in Chicago, and wound up volunteering for the marathon expo on the first day. It was yet another reminder of why this race is so special, and how much I love the Chicago running community. It was so much fun to be a tiny part of helping the event happen, and make newcomers to the city comfortable and excited for what was ahead. I also jogged the Abbott Chicago 5k the day before, which is usually a little more running than I would typically do the day before a marathon.
Running for PAWS was also special because we gained access to a special race-day event to change, go to the bathroom, get a massage, and have something good to eat afterward. Plus, my mom and Stephen got to join!
The race itself went pretty poorly. I was in a horrible mental state after missing seeing Stephen and my mom around mile 9, and it was just downhill from there. However, I’m still so grateful for the opportunity to run the Chicago Marathon for the third time, to use it as one of my long training runs for Tunnel Hill, and the fact that Stephen and my mom were able to be out there on a day with gorgeous weather was really really awesome. It was especially disappointing because I knew I was as fit as I ever have been on the Chicago Marathon start line, and to have it go that poorly was such a blow to my confidence that was really hard to shake.
Thankfully, I was scheduled for a 10-mile long run the next morning. My mom joined my run/walk on her bike and we shared almost two hours of gorgeous morning on the lakefront together. Honestly, that was probably one of the highlights of the Chicago Marathon weekend for me – and that run went so much more smoothly than the marathon. I felt better about taking a couple of days off after that.
The same day as my 10-mile post-marathon run, Stephen and I hopped on a plane to Europe. That’s actually why my mom was in town – she agreed to hang out with Lucy for a few days before Andrew would take over dog-sitting duties.
Our long-awaited trip to Hungary was finally happening! As we sat in the United Lounge killing time before the flight, I really couldn’t believe we were about to head to Europe for the second time this year. So much had happened between our last trip to now, and I was so excited for another trip and the chance to meet more of Stephen’s family.
Budapest is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed all of our time there, and I sincerely hope to go back – actually, I would love to run the marathon there, too. Meeting Stephen’s family was also really special, and I am so grateful to have had that experience this year.
We also got to spend a couple of days in Vienna before heading back to Chicago for a few days…before hopping back on a bunch of planes to Columbus, OH for a show (Trampled by Turtles + CAAMP), and then down to Knoxville, TN the next day for Megan and Ruben’s gorgeous wedding in the Smoky Mountains.
And that brings us to Halloween! A much more dialed-back weekend compared to the year before, but we gained some pumpkins at Sheffield’s on Friday night, and returned to the Broadway Boys’ Halloween party on Saturday. Stephen had the best costume of the night.
November
The crazy traveling wasn’t quite done yet – I had a girl’s weekend with Hannah on the books for Indianapolis to run the Indy Monumental Half Marathon a week before Tunnel Hill. While the weekend was a ton of fun (despite bad running weather Saturday morning), the race itself also went really poorly. I had been trying to get over a nasty cold for a few weeks at that point, and it seemed like I just couldn’t kick the chest congestion. With only 7 days to go before Tunnel Hill, I was extremely nervous after dragging myself across the 13th mile and the finish line. I would have essentially three more of those to do the following weekend – and the self-doubt continued to creep in.
Tunnel Hill weekend finally rolled around. My body was feeling good, my cold had finally seemed to dissipate about 48 hours before the event started, everything was falling into place. Although, as we drove down to southern Illinois, the temp and forecast started to drop. We were car camping on Friday night with one of the women who works at Fleet Feet, Emily (and her brother), and we were all busting out our winter jackets to sit by the fire for a little while. The wind howled, and we all were questioning our decisions to do this (and to be there) as we climbed into our sleeping bags.
After a sleepless night, we woke up at 5am to find about an inch and a half of snow on the car, and covering the ground around us. With snow still falling. At least it stopped by the time we got to the starting line, but it was cold…colder than I had run in throughout the entire training cycle. But I was there, Stephen was there with Lucy to root me on and check in at various aid stations…and we were off.
It was thrilling. Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the year. I was hoping to have at least half of the amount of fun as I did for my first 50k, and I am so grateful it was all of that and then some – about 20 miles worth of bonus fun. I kept it slow and easy and just chugged through the miles one by one.
Stephen being at the aid stations was absolutely another highlight of the event for me. He had never been there for me at an ultra before, but had plenty of practice spectating after the Chicago Marathon, and he was better than I could have even wished for at being a solo crew chief. He anticipated what I might want, rooted me on when I started to get tired, and never doubted that I could finish – and especially when I had time banked to run in less than 12 hours, he helped me get through the aid stations as quickly as possible to get me back on my merry way.
I am so grateful for his support throughout all of my training this summer when I would get really down on myself, especially during PT, and again, never doubting for a minute that I could achieve this crazy goal I had registered for so long ago. In fact, as we were driving away from the finish line, he turned to me and said “it sure would be fun to volunteer at an event like that.” In some ways, even more than running 50 miles in 11:15, I was most proud of that moment that day.
The rest of November seemed to go by in a blur. One weekend, we were out at Medieval Times celebrating Jeni’s birthday, and it seemed that shortly after that we were in Michigan for Thanksgiving after a big snowstorm. But finally, finally, our travel for the year drew to a close.
December
Things have been local and easy this month. I took a day off early in December to have a “mental health day” with Hannah and Jeni – we had breakfast, got our nails done, and did some shopping at the One of a Kind show downtown. I had a fun night out with Andi and Hannah as well, getting introduced to some delicious wine (and I’m not even a wine-drinker), and making some happy memories at Guthrie’s.
Lucy even has gotten to partake in the Holiday Fun with a gift box from Nulo and helping get my “cost per wear” down on the reindeer antler headband.
December wrapped up with a super-fast trip home to surprise my dad for his retirement – in fact, I’m finishing this post formatting in the airport, waiting for my flight home.
This year was one of my favorites yet. I am so grateful for the opportunity to create and share so many amazing memories, and I the ability to conquer some goals I had standing for a long time. I am grateful for my amazing partner, Stephen, and that we are both as happy and healthy as we can be with all that is going on in our world lately.
[Something Creative] 