Ciao 2017
The end of the year is a funny time. In late November/early December, I long to close out the year, ready to be out with the old and to usher in a blank new slate. (I can no longer say that phrase without thinking of Taylor Swift.)
But when the last week finally does roll around? I don’t want it to end. Now, I long for drawn out days so that I can reflect. It’s as if I can’t officially close the books on current year until I’ve accounted for and reconciled everything that’s happened over the last 12 months.
There’s been a lot of good this year. I’ve written a lot, far more stories and articles than any other year. I’ve broken into a a few bucket list publications and scored a few more print bylines.
While I definitely prioritized work (something that I need and want to adjust next year), I’ve also take some great trips with my family—taking the boys to two of my favorite cities (London and Paris), a two-week family road trip over the summer, and a trip to Hawaii with my husband.
I have been thinking about 2018, or as @runemz said, imagining that I’m watching a trailer of my 2018. I’m curious about what the next 12 months will bring.
What I’ve Written
Since it is the end of the year, I rounded up my top 10 stories of the year:
10. Brain Game for Triathlete
Sure, mental fitness is all over the interwebs but the advice isn’t always so helpful. How do you actually apply those tips in a real-world situation? That’s what I tried to do with this story for the September issue of Triathlete.
9. Why do we get our best ideas in the shower for Headspace
Haven’t you ever wondered why? I love digging into the nitty gritty of neuroscience, psychology, and behavior - basically why we do the things we go - and writing for Headspace has given me the chance to do just that.
8. Blood Road for GOOD
Rebecca Rusch is one amazing and accomplished athlete. A few years ago, she rode 1,200 miles on the Ho Chi Minh Trail to find the site of her father’s plane crash during the Vietnam War. I connected with her story of losing a father at a very young age and wanted to learn more. Her journey is captured in the visually stunning documentary Blood Road.
7. Keep your eye on the ball but don't lose sight of the fun for espnW
Parenting is hard and it can definitely be easy to lose sight of the fun, especially when you’re desperate to share a part of your childhood or beloved tradition with your kids.
6. People love probiotics, but do they really help? for The Washington Post
There’s nothing I like more than a myth-busting story. Probiotics are EVERYWHERE and people claim they can help with just about every condition. I wanted to find out if they really lived up to the hype.
5. Can Analyzing Your Blood and Spit Make You a Better Athlete for TONIC by Vice
There’s also been a lot of hype around personalization in the health and fitness world. Many companies now offer products that claim to tailor your supplements/food/juice/workouts/etc to you. I wanted to find out if the science actually supports these claims.
4. Standing on Ceremony for Purple Clover
This was a hard essay for me to write - about family, estrangement, and grief. Plus, based on this recent article, estrangement is not so uncommon.
3. What Really Happens When Runners Lose Their Periods for Outside
When I pitched this story, I wasn’t sure anyone would pick it up. After all, no one wants to talk about women’s menstrual cycles. But Tina’s story touches on an aspect of women in sports that many struggle with and frankly, there isn’t a lot of clear-cut information out there. I wanted to dig deeper into the science of what’s actually going on.
2. Raising a Packers fan in Giants Country for espnW
This may have been the fastest essay I’ve ever written. I can’t explain my son’s love for the Green Bay Packers but his love for his team has even turned this Giants fan into a cheesehead.
1. The Condition That’s Quietly Sidelining Female Athletes for Outside.
I’ve mentioned this story on female athlete triad before but this was my favorite story to report and write this year. (And got me a NPR spot!) I’ve wanted to write about the female athlete triad for many years and was excited to find a great editor at Outside who shared my interest and vision for the story. It’s an important topic that we don’t talk about enough.
What I’ve Been Watching and Listening to
Movies! That's what the holidays are for, right? I watched Lady Bird (enjoyed it) and Pitch Perfect 3 (given I had zero expectations, it was entertaining) and I'm planning on watching The Last Jedi later today.
The Good Place. I randomly started watching this the other week. I needed something on TV while I worked at night. (I know. Sorry, Mom. I still watch TV and work at the same time.) It’s cute and amusing, definitely the light-hearted fare my brain needed.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. So many friends have raved about this show. Amy Sherman-Palladino of Gilmore Girls fame created the series. I loved the Gilmore Girls (the original series, not the Netflix reboot) so was/am excited to watch this new show. I’ve only watched the first episode and it was OK? I hoping that the story picks up from here.
Ali on the Run Show. I regularly listen to Ali’s podcast but I especially loved this episode where her husband Brian takes over hosting duties. That’s because Ali recently returned home from an epic solo road trip to California. “My only goal was to surround myself with beautiful things. I went in with no expectations and an open mind, and by the time I flew back home, I felt lighter, happier, and more fulfilled than I have in years — or maybe ever.”
Butterboy Comedy. If you’re in Brooklyn, you should check out Butterboy Comedy. It’s a comedy show in Gowanus hosted by Aparna Nancherla, Maeve Higgins and Jo Firestone. My husband and I went the other night and it was hilarious. Plus, stressful uncertain times + comedy and belly laughs is a good thing.
Happy New Year friends. Until next time!
Christine
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