New Ink, New Places: The Season After the Marathon

After the marathon, the resolution run, and the goals I set in January, life hasn’t suddenly become one big adventure.

Most of the time, building a best life happens in smaller moments — a weekend away, a new place explored, a challenge accepted, and time spent with people who matter.

The marathon was a huge milestone, but it isn’t the end of my journey.

If anything, it was proof that I was capable of more than I had believed.

And in the months that have followed, I continue doing what has become such a big part of my life: setting goals, showing up, and figuring out what’s next.

New Ink

A few years ago, after completing my first half marathon, I celebrated with a tattoo.

It was a reminder of where I started: 3.1 miles… 6.2 miles… 13.1 miles.

Each number represented a milestone I once wasn’t sure I could reach.

After crossing the finish line of my first marathon, I knew the tattoo wasn’t complete.

So in February, I added the final piece: 26.2

Along with the words that had carried me through so much: “She believed she could, so she did.”

That phrase represents more than running.

It represents all the times I have doubted myself, all the times I have wondered if I was capable, and all the times I have decided to try anyway.

A Solo Adventure in St. Louis

A work trip took me to St. Louis in February. The old me probably would have spent the evening in my hotel room catching up on work or watching TV.

But I am learning something new about myself. I don’t want to just exist in places. I want to experience them. So I headed out to explore.

Going up the Arch has been on my bucket list for years — even though I hate elevators. (Sometimes checking something off your list means doing the thing that makes you uncomfortable.)

I rode to the top, watched the sunset, and took in the view of the city below.

The drive home the next day was snowy the entire way, but even that became part of the adventure.

Because sometimes the best memories aren’t the perfectly planned ones.

They’re the ones where you simply decide to go.

A Chicago Adventure

In early March, I had the privilege of taking my grandkids to Chicago for a few days of exploring. We packed a lot into those days.

We saw the Bean. We looked out over the city from the Sears Tower observation deck.

We ate Chicago pizza — starting with Giordano’s and then deciding one pizza place wasn’t enough, because when in Chicago, you have to try more than one.

We laughed at ourselves in the fun house mirrors, watched saw all types of animals at the aquarium, stood next to dinosaurs at the Field Museum, and took in all the city had to offer!

It wasn’t a major life milestone.

It wasn’t a race.

It was just time together, making memories.

And those moments matter just as much.

Friends, Bowling, and a Little Wine Along the Way

The last weekend of March brought another adventure — this time with my bowling friends for the 2019 MOUSBC Women’s Championships.

Eight of us headed out for a weekend of bowling, but as usual, the memories happen both on and off the lanes.

On Friday, we stopped at Les Bourgeois Vineyards for wine and a beautiful view. Saturday brought dinner at Villa Antonio — a half-finished bottle of Chambourcin, crackers, meat, and good conversation.

Sunday found us bowling with our bowling pin water bottles and taking pictures with the giant bowling pin outside.

Before heading home, we stopped in Kimmswick and had lunch at The Blue Owl Restaurant & Bakery. Walked the town… saw the flooded bridge from all the rain. And of course got ice cream too!

The Journey Between the Finish Lines

The past few months has been full of goals and challenges.

I kept running races. I kept pushing myself.

I kept seeing what I was capable of.

But somewhere along the way, I have started realizing that my best life isn’t only found at finish lines. It is also found in the moments between them.

Exploring a new city. Sharing a meal with friends.

Laughing over a weekend away. Making memories with people who matter.

The races are still part of my journey.

They just aren’t the whole journey.

I don’t know what the next chapter looks like. I just know I’m building something.

One choice.

One experience.

One ordinary day at a time.