My first foray into blogging began way back in early 2009, and my first blog post was a recap in pictures from the year 2008. I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for a decade; you’d think I’d be better at it by now. Hah!

Ever since that first post back in 2009 on my old blog, it’s been a annual tradition to recap my year in images. It’s fun for me to look back at the highlights of my year, so thanks for indulging me.

I love to write fitness articles that can help you with your running and strength training goals, but it’s the personal posts that make it a blog. Right? This is the latest edition of Lea’s Beans, where I take a break from the fitness articles and get personal.

I had a great year! I took some risks to grow my business, which paid off. I went part-time at my corporate marketing job at the start of 2018 to free up time to take on more clients. Towards the end of the year, I picked back up some additional hours at that job, while maintaining my client base. I’m booked solid as of early 2019.

As we close out the year, it’s a good idea to reflect before making a new year goals or resolutions. I start by sharing the highlights of my year; the fun times, the successes and the memorable moments. I’d love if you’d join me for the first stage of my end of year reflections.

PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018

I ran a PR at Cowtown half marathon in Fort Worth

I started the year off strong with a PR at the Cowtown half marathon in Fort Worth. The crisp cold weather, caffeine, strength training, and a full training cycle brought me across the finish line a minute faster.

I went to a blogging convention in Houston to learn more about SEO and affiliate marketing

I met up with Christine at Run Out of The Box in Houston for a one day Blog Elevated seminar on SEO (search engine optimization) and affiliate marketing. SEO is still over my head but It’s on my goal list to master in 2019.

I attended the Personal Trainer’s Institute Fitness Convention for the weekend in Dallas

I was happy that the IDEA Personal Trainer’s Institute South moved their annual convention to Dallas. It was a great weekend of learning and earning my continuing education credits for my training certifications.

My mom and brother came to visit for a weekend

My mom and brother came to visit from Pittsburgh for the weekend and even though it was a wonderful and memorable part of my year, I don’t have a single picture to show for it, except for the room we painted to get ready for her. Daughter fail.

We celebrated our 20-year first date-versary by running the Stars Wars half marathon at Disney

The highlight of my year was celebrating 20 years with hubs by running the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon at Disney. It wasn’t my fastest, but it was the most fun of the year. If you would have told me in April of 1998 when I first met my husband that in 20 years we’d be running a half marathon together, I probably would have fallen off my bar stool laughing.

I met Jack (Freakin’) White

In case you don’t know about my fan girl status for Jack White, it’s real. Jack White (of the White Stripes, Raconteurs, Dead Weather and solo artist) played two concerts in Dallas (after 8 years away) and a baseball game at Reverchon Park. I had no expectations that I would have the opportunity to chat with him, so when it happened I was simultaneously thrilled and devastated that I didn’t have anything for him to sign. I tried to hide my crazy, but the look on his face reveals it didn’t work.

I traveled to San Diego for the IDEA World Fitness Convention and BlogFest

Apparently I have a penchant for conventions, quite odd for an introvert, wouldn’t you say? This is my favorite event of the year when I get to meet up with my sweat pink sisters for an annual reminder that I’m not in this alone. It’s amazing to surround myself with the people who really understand the joys and struggles of the blogging and fitness business.

I celebrated my 44th birthday

Sometimes I wonder when I got so old? But then I remember I’ve never felt better, happier or more alive.

We remodeled our bathroom

We apparently forgot we lived in a small old house and remodeled our bathroom like we’re fancy. Good thing 2019 is going to be the “year of no spending.”

We ran a Thanksgiving Day 5K and I placed second in my age group

We were up early on Thanksgiving to run the Cox Running Club Thanksgiving Day 5K in Fort Worth and I placed 2nd in my age group of old ladies.

I blogged for the Dallas Marathon and did a segment on the local news

I had the incredible opportunity to blog for the Dallas Marathon this year and I did a five-minute segment on Fox 4 news.

I ran the BMW Dallas half marathon

I had a great time running the BMW Dallas half marathon. The weather was perfect and I crossed the finish line feeling strong. You can’t ask for much more than that. It wasn’t my fastest of the year, but I finished the year with another successful half marathon under my belt.

This is the beginning of my end-of-year reflections. The first step is to review the highlights of my year, and then think about what didn’t go as planned, and what I could have done better, so I can make plans and goals for the coming year.

How was your 2018? Are you ramping up for a successful 2019?

Coach Lea