7.68 years later, still going

I have received encouragement from an old friend from Schick to update the blog, and after far-too-long here is my update.

After nearly seven years and eight months, I'm still alcohol-free. But occasional thoughts of "could I have a drink some day?" have happened. I admit it. But life is hard and I know I can't test it out even for a second. It would feel too good to not feel the struggles I'm dealing with.

I like to review past posts here, it is a good reminder of what I've gone through. The last few years have been tough. I wrote in 2012 that 2011 was rough for me. Indeed it was, and I'm still constantly reminded that being a grownup is difficult. At the end of 2013 I was laid off, earlier this year my wife and I separated, I feel like a terrible parent to a child that's growing up too fast. Too-often feel like this is just too hard.

But, it isn't all doom and gloom. In the last year I have really enjoyed getting my fitness on and I'm starting to run some fairly long distances. I have run five half marathons in the last year and I'm currently training for a 50km trail race. Looks like I'm going to just skip over the marathon milestone. Exercise is a wonderful defense against emotional struggle, too, but I can't get out as much as I'd like. Still, I'm proud of my running accomplishments. It helps me see how far I've come.

December 27, 2007, here's me during my intake into Schick Shadel Hospital.

Here I am in July 2015 pushing hard to finish the Dolomite Dash half marathon outside Lander Wyoming.

Even though thoughts of "maybe someday" drinking have snuck in, I am honestly happy to remain abstinent from alcohol. It would not be very helpful for the life stress I'm battling, it would also be a giant calorie infuser that would impede my running and eventually ruin my good health. I can't drink but more importantly, I don't want to drink.

Stay strong, friends, we can make it through.