It’s officially the middle of the year as we wrap up month 6!! I can’t believe how fast 2015 is flying by…

It’s been a bit of a bumpy ride– I started off the year with Rock n Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon finishing 12 seconds away from a PR. I wasn’t bummed about it as I hadn’t been actively trying to PR (I had during my 1/2 marathon the month before) but I was bummed I didn’t have the presence of mind to see/realize how close I was. I know I could’ve finish 13 seconds faster.

I chalked it up as a learning experience. Heck, to have two 1/2 marathons within a month of each other at that time (1:55)–that’s a plus in my book!

February had a disappointing Lost Dutchman 10k. This was during my bronchitis bout and I felt and ran absolutely awful that day. I finished the race in 52:57 in 2014 and in 57:41 in 2015. Just awful.

But what stands out the most between January and June is my DNF at Phoenix Marathon. This was the race I had been training so hard for and to not be able to finish….it still stings when I think about it. Not as strong, but it still stirs the emotions.

I let myself be sad for awhile after that day, and I think it’s okay to do that. I just didn’t let the sadness linger for too long. I knew it wasn’t because of me, that the reason I couldn’t finish was out of my control. You always hear people say, “Listen to your body!” My body was sick and I wasn’t listening to it. I know better now.

I’ve come away from that experience with a lot of positivity. I had a great training cycle for Phoenix despite not finishing the race. I was confident that I would reach my goal that day had I been well. And because of that, I know I can do the same (and even better!) for October.

I definitely feel these past 6 months have made me a stronger runner. I can physically feel it and I mentally feel it. I knew that after the epic year that was 2014, I wouldn’t be able to replicate that. And why should I try? It’s a different year with different goals and different challenges.

That’s what keeps things interesting, right??

I have a lot to look forward to the next half of 2015. A lot. I’ll be climbing Mt. Humphrey’s in August, traveling to Vancouver in September, running the Chicago Marathon in October, Ragnar and the USA Half Marathon in San Diego in November, and back to the race where I snagged a 1/2 marathon PR last December. Except for the latter, all of these things will be new experiences!

And really, I already had a pretty epic 2015 race…..the one I ran with my brother ❤

I hope everyone has a great week!! We’re almost to Friday!! ❤ , helly

–What are your high/low points of 2015 so far? Any epic races? Any duds?

–What are you looking forward to the next 6 months?