Well, what a year it has been at Running Mums Australia. So many amazing women achieving great things for themselves and in turn their families. For some of you it might have been a year of set backs and disappointment. For some, it was a year of highlights and achievement. No matter what the year brought you, hopefully you have learned a lot and will take something away with you for 2018 and into the future.

For me, sometimes things don’t always go to plan and it is sometimes better to remember the journey than the actual destination. What did the journey teach you? Did it teach you to take the pressure off, to be patient, perhaps to work harder, to rest longer, to just enjoy running? Everyone takes something away….what did you take away from your 2017 running year?

For me, I am thankful for the opportunities given to me through running and building this community. I have had a few Ambassador roles in 2017, and in 2018 these are already presenting themselves again. I don’t necessarily say yes for me, but rather what I can showcase to this amazing community. The amazing places that running can take you and the journey to get there through training and preparing well. Sometimes it can be all consuming and exhausting. I will admit that first-hand, but sometimes the reward is seeing others follow my lead and live and breathe an amazing life where they take opportunity by the hand. We only get one life, so use it well and take the blessings that come to you with gusto.

Some of the 2017 highlights for me were running my first 100k race, and finishing just how I wanted at the Surf Coast Century, and running my first overseas event at Queenstown Marathon, but the main highlight for me was meeting hundreds and hundreds of RMA women throughout the year that have told me how much their lives have changed because of RMA. It has given them connection, purpose and direction and that means more to me than any personal achievement. This is why RMA exists. To champion these everyday women.

So, from myself and the volunteer admin team here at RMA I want to say a very happy and healthy 2018 to you and your families. May you dream that little bit bigger, run that little bit further or stronger, cherish and give back that little bit more, and live that little bit better.

Nicole. X