Another year is drawing to a close as we approach a new one. Once again, time did not cease to amaze me the way it passes so fast. It feels as though it was only yesterday that I was celebrating the start of 2016 with my family. And in less than two days, it is 2017.

2016 was a pretty interesting year. I reached a few milestones in running. I conquered distances and terrains that I never thought I could conquer. I got to travel to new places. I revisited old ones and fell in-love with them at a second glance. I've welcomed new people into my life whom I came to value in just a short span of time. That being said, here are the highlights of my 2016.

2016 was probably my best year in running. I had a lot of memorable runs this year.
The year started with me becoming a member of the 2016 Simple Hydration Run Team.
I conquered the Mayon 360 80k ultramarathon, one of my dream races.
Not exactly a huge milestone but running a race on the beach - another first.
I finished my first ever Bald Runner race - my initiation to the #BRAcademy.
Ran my second international race and another dream race: 
the Laguna Phuket International Marathon.
I did a buzzer beater on my second attempt at the Milo Marathon.
2016 was the year I finished my first ever century distance.
Had the guts to join the Pinoy Fitness 21k Challenge this year.
 Lastly, 2016 was the year I made a comeback on the trails. I gave trail-running 
a second chance and fell in love with it.

Nike played an important role in my 2016. I got to attend special training sessions, attended cool events, got to wear new gear, and met some awesome people with the same goals and interests. All these wouldn't have happened if it weren't for Nike and the Nike+ Run Club Manila.
I had the most awesome race experience at the Nike Women's 
Half Marathon.
 I got to experience the Mamba Mentality.
 Free apparel and shoes - 'nuff said!
The Nike Unlimited experience was one for the books.

2016 was my most traveled year. I went on out-of-town trips a lot. I did my first ever solo trip abroad. I had a perfect balance of beaches and mountains.
I got to visit Albay for the second time and fell in love with Mayon Volcano's beauty.
Had the most memorable beach trip in Boracay with my sister.
It is with travel that we learn more about ourselves. That I came to 
realize in my first ever solo trip in Phuket, Thailand.
Re-visited the City of Pines and just kept coming back.
 I conquered more summits this year compared to last year.

At this point, I would like to thank all the people who made my 2016 fun and memorable - some of them I've known for quite some time and some just entered my life this year. Regardless of how long I've known them, they are the people that I'm looking forward to spending 2017 with. Let's start with the following running groups: Team Active Pinas, Team Ayala Triads, Team SCR, and Team Pinikpikan. Long runs, training sessions, races, hiking and carboloading and drinking sessions will always be fun with these people. I also had to mention some individuals: Del, Belle, Tee, Meriel, Mica, Patrice, Jay, Desmond, Joven, Dmitri, and Don. You might not know the impact you've made on my life but I will always be grateful for your existence.

2016 had its ups and downs and that's just how life goes. I have a lot to be thankful for the year that was, but it's time to close that chapter. I'm looking forward to 2017 and for everything that it will bring. :)