[697] New Year 2026

 (last year‘s Vision vs this year)

Every year I seek for something that inspires me and propels me foward to a new year.  A few years ago, it was a combination of long distance running and standing on top of a mountain.  2024, I received it and stood on top of the high Sierra. To my wildest dream, I did the Western States. It was an unforgetable moment. Breathtaking beauty. It might have been once in a lifetime. Of course I wanted more of it after that and thinking of Leadville and The UTMB.

I long for that in 2025.  That brought me to back Utah for the Wasatch and back to the valley of Shenandoah of Old Dominion where I did some of my hiking and running.  I hope and drive myself forward to 2026 and 2027, to seek for something  much more.  Life is exciting.

The last 10 years, I ran 99 marathons/ultras, actually more ultras than marathons to a ratio of 2:1 (68 ultras and 30+ marathons).  I also earned 7-8 Dnfs along the way (They are races that I did not finish, all of them being ultras).  So it brings the number of races I finished around 91-90 races.  In 2026, I hope to run 9-10 races to reach the perfect 100!  That will be a milestone for sure. Or really, I won’t make a beep once I cross the 100.

I started running in August 2016.  My 10th year running anniversary is around the corner.  Thus, I wanted to reach 100 marathons in 100 days!  Joking. But would not that be cool for 2026 though? Is it even possible, of course not. A 100 mile takes me 30+ hours to finish. Anyway…

Here is my new year resolution:

Resolve: 2026.001 Run 10 marathons/ultras.

Resolve: secret goal:001.  A few years ago, I embark on plan001.  I think it is time to bring it to a close.  What is plan 001?  I almost forgot what it is.  Only last year was I think I know.

Resolve:  2026.002. A lot of Caroline’s goals are becoming my goals. One of her goals is to visit the Grand Canyon.  Marking late March or Late November the date. Putting a circle on that.

Resolve: 2026.003.  Visit Cape May. Put another circle on that

Resolve: 2026.004.  Run the first landing 50k! woohoo.

Resolve: Running is every part of my life, and as I shift from going back to my hiking adventure  instead of running, I need to resolve to hike more.  2026.005

Resolve: I signed up for some pretty hard races, MMT, and Eastern States, Vermont 100, Devil Dog, and Hennepin. I need to train for them. Resolve to train hard for my races. 2026:06

Resolve:  My friend Jeremy is running a 300 mile race.  I don’t know if I could be there to crew him.  I resolve to make the time to go out to Arizona to crew. 2026.07

Resolve: 2026:008. Every year I said I would excercise more and eat healthier.  This year is the year. Same every year.

Resolve:  2026:008.  Read the bible more.  Seek God more and be well balanced on the inside.  2025 was a tumultuous year.  I hope to get a clearer focus as 2026 and 2027 come into view.

Resolve: 2026.009.  I settled into a grove of what to do the next year based on the stuff I did not get to do the previous year.  It was almost a cookie cutter.  I started this journey a few years ago to challenge myself to real the “next” challenge. I resolve to seek the next part.

Resolve 2026.010.  I resolve to be clearer with my goals and vision and know my mission for the next year.  Mission is always the same.  However, it can be stated and apply differently to the new circumstances. It might need some reformulation. Finding an inspiration. Vision though has to be inspiring at least to myself.

Resolve. 2026.011. I resolve to add more resolutions.  It doesn’t have to stop there.  Maybe part of my downfall is stopping short. 

A few years ago, I read a fellow blogger on new year’s statement instead of making new year resolutions.  I came up,  borrowed a verse from the Bible:  Knock, and the Door will be open.  It has been a tremendous run with that verse alone.  It taught me to be bold and Daring.  I have not turn back on doing hard things.  I soared high beyond I could dream.  While, I would love to continue on this theme, I got a new one for 2026.

2025 taught me my limitations and to live in what I am capable of (especially in light of my DNFs).  To some it seems a step backward, from reaching for the sky (see my plate).  I think it is part of growth of being realistic of part where I could change as well as also pushing the dream of doing great things.

An important theme I picked up during the Virginia Marathon was:  He went leaping and jumping and praising God.  Thus, this will be my personal theme for 2026, continuing to do the impossible with joy and help others to do the impossible in the name of Jesus.  (Acts 3:8-9)

*My dear Friend Caroline said I have two different visions for 2026 in two different places on my Blog.  I was shock, really!? where? Oh one at the Blog I wrote the other day and one at my race plan that is always being modified on the racing page.