I know many people have been hating on 2016 and have been ready for it to be over as it's taken many beautiful celebrities from the world and brought us the horror that is the Trump Presidency or as I'm going to call it, That Which Should Not Be Named--you know, kind of like when they said we shouldn't give ISIS power by calling them by their chosen name? I'm just going to pretend That Which Should Not Be Named doesn't exist. End rant.

Personally, 2016 was an epic year for me. I keep repeating to myself "what a difference a year makes." I really can't believe my life some days. Not that my life is epic, but that I let myself get so far away from who I am and how easily it all came back together once I gave time to me. The last half of 2015 was the most challenging time of my life. It's the first time I've ever felt I didn't know who I was. Part of that was me--not standing up for myself and letting myself feel crappy when someone else told me I was wrong. Part of it was the situation I found myself in, which, really, is also my fault. As a chronic helper, I thought I was supposed to be helping other people and found myself doing things I didn't want to do and trying to be someone I wasn't for the sake of other people. I was also looking at the world at large and seeing people suffer all around the world and feeling so small, insignificant, and pathetic in my need to help. In 2016 I wanted to hit the ground running, literally, and never look back. I took time for myself and decided to get back to basic. Running--my therapy, my religion. In 2016 my goal was to run in 16 new places. In the process, I found myself (quickly, she wasn't very far away), realized I have the best support team in the world who love me for me, and figured out ways that I can give myself to the causes I believe in. Here's what a year running and a year of happiness looks like in the life of one strange human:

January running in Arizona with my wonderful friends Trish and Mike Story.
30 miles in 3 days. Trails, warm weather, and friends=best therapy ever. 

February running in Vegas. Trip with my ma and aunt Linda.
I ran the North and South side of the strip and into Old Las Vegas.

LandRun 50K Stillwater Oklahoma with my 3 most favorite running friends
Cade, Molly, and Karyn <3 Also the birth place of Kerin. 31 miles. March

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with my Sole Sister. We did city and trail running
and sold football gear to teen boys and drank good beer and
ate in fancy restaurants in yoga pants. April

Kerin runs in Roca and Valprasio Nebraska for the Double Half Mary in April

Lots of running days in Madison, Wisconsin, home of beer, cheese, and my college roommate
and dear friend Courtni. Codie and I ran on the University's Cross Country Course and
I ran all over downtown in this state's capital, and trail near the lake. May

So I'm missing a picture of a Kerin run in Elkhorn, Nebraska so
enjoy this fun paddle boarding pic of us. July

Wilderness Park Lincoln, Nebraska with my ma.
She biked, I ran. We did NOT get poison ivy. July

Denver, Colorado. Another Kerin adventure--getting into the bulk of
Run Rabbit Run training. Trails, camping, good food, friends,
and a wedding because we like to dance too. July

The one only and ever time that Nate has run with me. I will keep this picture
all of my days and love it. Moline, Illinois August

Adventures of Kerin and Yadi. Preparation Canyon State Park Iowa
And ending in my lake. First 70 mile weekend of my life.

Yad Dog and I took on Lewis and Clark Mountain Bike Trails in Iowa

August. Birthday weekend. Second 70 mile weekend of my life

 Then I went on a new place hiatus. Because Run Rabbit. And Run Rabbit Recovery. That was more traveling and 50 miles of running in one day, but not a new place. I did pick up soon and start training to pace a marathon and something really cool happened. I sent out a Facebook plea for friends to come run for 4 hours with me on the Wabash Trace in Iowa. I had a line up of 6 friends and Yadi who all came out and let me practice pacing them for hour long shifts for 4 hours. It was the coolest thing. I love my people.

The pacing of said marathon--actually 26.6 miles. I paced 4:30. Kansas City, Missouri.
Pacing races is also a big time dream of mine. Running and helping people
reach their goals. Perfect. Oh! And I had a great date the night before
and good drivingpartner and awesome museum nerd friend. November.

The weekend after the marathon Kerin traveled to Birmingham, Alabama
to visit our friend Pam. Pam was the hostess with the mostess taking
us on a ropes course, to watch lots of football, to good food
places, and running in the woods. November

This doesn't count as a running place, although I did run here.  But it's an adventure
that makes me happy so I'm including it. I've never been to Wisconsin in
my life and I went there twice in 2016! This time to a Packer's game
at Lambeau Field. In December, in the snow. To me, this is how football should
be played and I've never experienced a snowy game like that. I ran 100 feet to get to a shuttle
and then 3 miles inside on a treadmill. Like I said, I'm not counting it, it just makes me happy. 

Last run of 2016. Clover, South Carolina. 2016 = 1,600 miles and 16 new places
12 different states. Lots of friends. Lots of love. 

I haven't decided if I'll try to run in 17 new places in 2017. I'm one in so far if I do. I have a goal of running 3 50Ks in 2017. And the general goals of being the best version of myself and writing and being a good dog mom. Oh, and 2 new life goals: to be the fastest old lady in the world (95+ age division) and to go to as many National Parks as I can. Hugs to you all.