My Best of 2026 In Review (So Far)

I've never been good at gratitude. I mean, sure, I am thankful when someone does something for me. My love language is someone caring for me through small acts of kindness. I say please and thank you and mean it sincerely. But the kind of gratitude that is emphasized in every self help or mindfulness book/app/challenge touts, that kind of thing doesn't come naturally to me. At least not in the - List 3 Things You are Grateful Every Day kind of way. 

In my previous post here, I mentioned that, despite feeling like an utter failure currently, I did actually manage to accomplish several noteworthy things in 2026. So in this post, I have decided to go back each month and pick one thing to celebrate. 

Note: the thing I choose for each month may not necessarily be a HUGE challenge completed kind of accomplishment, but instead something that looking back on makes me happy for whatever reason.

January

I did a paint and sip night with a friend and I honestly love how it came out. This is now hung in my bedroom.

February

Went to Philly on a work trip and due to the flight prices, ended up spending an extra day where I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (and not to just run up the steps). Loved seeing all the art, especially the Van Gogh and Monet paintings.

March

I went to a wedding (a friend's son) and got to dress up pretty, which I very rarely do. It was a beautiful day at a beautiful venue. I got to pet longhorn cattle too.

April

Ville to Ville Relay. Love this race and was grateful to be on this team (I was a late, but not quite last minute replacement). I've been running with this group for years, but not as much as I used to and had a super fun time. Can't wait to do it again in 2027.

May

I ran the Devil Makes Three 50K in May. I was undertrained for sure, and I took a hard fall at mile 6 of 31, but I did it. And I absolutely adore this medal!

June

I volunteered at the Hell Hole Hundred Ultra where I worked an aid station from 8 pm - 8 am both Friday and Saturday nights. During my "down time" I paced 2 runners for a total of 16 miles. There was very little sleep, way too many bugs and drastic temperature swings, but I had an amazing time and met some really cool people. Plus I earned a free entry to a future race.

July

*I did A LOT in July. Like a lot. So I chose 3 things to highlight. 

On July 1, I got to see two bands that I absolutely adore in Durham, Bug Hunter and The Narcissist Cookbook. I missed them when they came to Charlotte the year before. I went solo to Durham, made it to the front of the stage and got to talk to both guys at the merch table after the show. I got this signed lyric card, which I cherish.

I spent 10 days in the middle of July in China. It was a work trip, but I had a free weekend while there and took the opportunity to climb a mountain! Wutong Mountain is the tallest peak in Shenzhen at just over 3,000 ft. Stairs the whole way up, so hot and humid but I made it to the top. In fact, I felt good enough the next day to climb a second (smaller) mountain, Nanshan Mountain overlooking Sea World.

I took a mini-vacation with my brother at the end of July to Lexington, VA. No reason for choosing it, but it was a great choice. We explored the Washington and Lee University and VMI campuses, went to the Virginia Safari Park, enjoyed a beautiful mountain top winery and on the way home stopped at the Roanoke Star.

August

I lead a run club on Tuesdays at the Main Street Bottle Shop. After hosting a successful community Unity (multiple run clubs) Cinco de Mayo event earlier in the year I was asked to host another event in August. It was a fun event for a big group and everyone seemed to have a great time at the End of Summer Luau themed run.