"Happiness is different from pleasure.
Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing."
-George Sheehan
2008 was certainly filled with it's fair share of struggling, enduring and accomplishing. And you know what? Overall, it was undoubtedly a happy year.
Our travels took us to Cabo San Lucas, The Grand Canyon, Sedona, Tempe, Phoenix, Rome, Florence, Tuscany, Venice, Lake Como , Breckenridge, San Diego, LaJolla, Santa Monica, Orange County, The Big Island in Hawaii, Washington D.C. and the great state of Ohio (:-)...
My bigger races included a duathlon, 2 Half-Ironmans, one full Marathon, one Ultra Marathon and, of course, Ironman Arizona in April. Pleasantly, I PR'ed in every one of them and set a heck of a base time to beat for my next Ironman. So yeah, I'd say through the struggling and enduring, there was also a huge sense of accomplishment. And that makes me happy.
There were a few significant losses as well. My dear friend TQ succombed to throat cancer, but left this world with a deep sense of faith and peace. We lost my sister in law to cancer last month, but she too passed with a heart full of love and gratitude. My T3 Teammate Erin died suddenly during the Dallas Marathon. While, at 29, she was way too young, there's little doubt she was happy as she was about to achieve her Boston qualifer race.
Struggle...endurance...accomplishment...
What will 2009 bring? No one knows for sure, but I'm willing to bet it will include a tremendous amount of struggling, enduring and accomplishing.
That also means that 2009 will bring with it an overwhelming amount of Happiness.
I can't wait. Cheers to 2009!!
10 comments:
Happy new year! Here's to a great season and IM!
Cheers to a great 2008 and another year of success in '09!
Can't wait to follow 2009 with you friend...certainly a highlite for me was getting to know you better and encouraging one another along the way...you are a light to so many around you and I am thankful to know you. Cheers to 2008...watch out 2009....here we come!
I have enjoyed meeting you and Shawn and look forward to training with you for CdA!
Cheers to 2009 and the endeavors that await!!
Boy you've had a busy year!
Best wishes for 2009 Carrie.
You had a fabulous year racing wise and I am sure you will be setting some new PR's in 2009!
All the best!
Hey, found your blog today as I was searching for speed work help, have a great year!
Happy New Year!
I'm glad you made it back home after your LONG trip back from Ohio.
I look forward to reading all about your adventures in 2009.
It will be another excellent year!
Beautiful and nothing but the truth. Life is a ride where we certainly struggle, endure and accomplish. And then, nobody can take from us that total sensation of complete happiness.
Post a Comment