Somewhere around October, people start acting like the year is over. For me, it feels like an opportunity to squeeze a little more adventure out of the year before the calendar flips.
There’s still three months left to lock in on goals set a year ago, try new things and explore new trails. For years, I’ve fallen into the mindset of waiting for the perfect time to start something new or set a big scary goal.
If not now, when? I’ve learned the time is perfect whenever you decide it is.
Sometimes, all it takes is deciding not to wait for January or another arbitrary date on the calendar.
Lately, I’ve been so focused on healing mentally and physically that I’ve forgotten how to have fun. That’s one of the reasons I signed up for the Canmore’s Sweater Weather 10K. It was fun and low stress, and exactly the kick in the butt I needed.
I don’t want the last three months of 2026 to disappear in a blur of routine and work. Instead I’m choosing to do all the things that bring me joy.
That means spending more time summiting mountain peaks, trying new recipes, reaching my 2026 book goal and fun running.
I have two more fun races planned for 2026.
First up is the Last Chance 10K on November 15 in Calgary. I had considered running the half marathon but I didn’t want to be stressed about training for a half-marathon. The 10k will be relatively low stress. Don’t get me wrong, it will hurt because road running is so much harder than trail running.
Then in December, I’ll be part of a three-person team for Racing Dusk in West Bragg Creek. I ran on a team last year, and I loved the experience. Fingers crossed it’s not too cold.
Time has away of speeding up at this time of the year. Before we know it, we’re knee deep in snow and counting the days until spring. But before that happens, I’m going to squeeze everything out of these next two and a half months.