As part of my efforts to live bold this year, I thought I’d do a monthly post about how I’ve been embracing that One Little Word.  Sometimes I might write one longer post about one particular thing I’ve done, and other times I might do a list, like this month.  So here’s how I’ve been living bold in January:

• Signed up to run the Buffalo Marathon Relay with a group of moms from my local Stroller Strides community.  This is my biggest, boldest action of the month!  I usually shy away from group runs of any sort.  I’m always worried that I’m not fast enough and that I’ll somehow let the group down.  But I have to remember that I do have some running experience, and that these supportive, encouraging ladies would have welcomed me to the team even if I didn’t.  (But you’d better believe I’ll be folding some speedwork into my training.)  I’m excited!  I was kicking around the idea of volunteering at the race, but looks like I’ll be lining up with the other runners instead.  Yippee!
• Ran 7, then 8, then 9 miles.  I have a virtual race coming up in February (more on this to come) and although I don’t have to do it all in one shot, I’m aiming for that bold goal.  That means busting out some long runs again – something I haven’t done since 2011.  I feel pretty hardcore, watching those miles stack up on my Garmin.
• Signed up for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.  Forty miles through all five boroughs of New York City!  This is another event that will definitely challenge me in new ways, and I’ll be riding with my dad, brother, and brother’s girlfriend, so I’m a little nervous about being fast enough to keep up with the group.  (I do have a nice, zippy road bike, so that should help.)  And then there’s the added nerves that come from sharing the road with tens of thousands of other cyclists… I really hope I don’t end the ride in a pileup.  But part of what I am trying to do this year is to step out of my comfort zone and accept challenges even when they involve other people, so that’s what will drive me to train hard for the event.
• Knitted my mom an infinity scarf.  This sounds like it wouldn’t be such a bold thing to do, but I’m actually a little insecure about knitting for others.  I always think I’m incapable of knitting something that the recipient will actually like and use.  But I had some soft, nubby red yarn that I knew my mom would enjoy wearing, and a stitch that has completely captivated me, so I went ahead and made her one.  The verdict: she LOVED it and encouraged me to make more infinity scarves for family friends (something I was kind of planning to do, but it’s nice to get confirmation that the scarf I made is nice enough to gift to someone outside of immediate family).

January was a pretty bold month for me!  I worked on making the choices that were best for ME, and I said yes to a few events that really intimidate me.  (We’ll see how bold I feel at the starting lines…)  Can’t wait to see where my one little word takes me in February.