As 2021 draws to a close, we can say with certainty this year has been a marathon, not a sprint. We wanted to take the month of December to look back at the milestones, miles, and memories that shaped the past twelve months. We put a call out to our staff and the AMR community, asking for their highlights—from PRs to first races to life changes. Here are just some of their inspiring responses.

From social distancing to celebrating holidays over Zoom to so many canceled races, we all at some point in 2020 missed out on the simple joy of just being together. But in 2021, some of us were able to safely travel, gather, and spend time with our family, friends, and fellow BAMRs once more. Girls’ trips, in-person racing, and family hangs? We’re so here for it all.

Mandy Cherry, TLAM Coach: 2021 was the year of the Iron Horse Maidens. Kind of like the rock band, only moms who run at 5:00 a.m. Pre- pandemic a group of five moms had started running together early in the morning at our local park, named Iron Horse. We were training for different races and needed to run super early. We feel back into a rhythm this spring as restrictions lifted and we spent this summer and fall living our best adventuring lives! Weekend hiking trips, 20-mile bike rides on new bike paths, girls’ nights at fancy downtown restaurants, and of course an out-of-town trip for a big half-marathon. I can’t tell you how much it fills my cup to have women who are just as eager to run at 5:30 a.m. with me and go on CRAZY adventures (Ragnar for 2022 is on our radar and; maybe someday soon a Disney race). I’ve always been a solo runner, but finding my best running friends really took running to a new level for me.

Mandy’s training group on one of their epic adventures.

Susan B.: My highlight was getting to run an in person race in San Francisco, my favorite city, with two wonderful friends that I wouldn’t have met if not for AMR!

Susan and her friends hit the streets of San Francisco.

Megan Y., AMR Designer: I spent most of 2020 waiting to meet my twin son and daughter. And finally, in March of 2021, they arrived! This was one year full of precious baby snuggles, sleepless nights, giggles and tears (from everyone!). Pre-pregnancy I was regularly running 5-6 miles but I traded it in for walking after my first trimester. The twins are now 8 months old and I’m enjoying slowly getting back into my running groove and using it as my “me time.”

Find a cuter Halloween costume…we dare you!

Beth P., AMR Contributing Writer: My favorite running moment of 2021 was returning to in-person racing with some of my favorite running friends. Standing in the starting chute, masked and socially distanced, it felt a bit surreal. Once it was our turn to run, though, I was reminded that racing is so much more about who you are with than a PR. Afterwards, we enjoyed some of the finest locally brewed beer and ciders in Duluth Minnesota on a glorious warm and sunny April day. Perfection! It was that simple morning 5k that reignited my passion for running in 2021 and beyond.

Beth’s passion for running was reignited with a return to in-person racing.

Kathleen D. We managed to get all of us together for a girls’ trip in Big Bear Lake, California. We hiked, ran and paddle boarded, and even wore matching custom shirts!

Kathleen and her crew had a blast bonding in Big Bear.

Bertina Z.: I went on a girls’ weekend with four of my friends to Moab, Utah. We ran the Moab Trail Half Marathon. It was so fun and challenging. Definitely a wild experience for a group of ladies from Wisconsin.

Bertina got wild during her half marathon in Moab.

Jessica S.: My 2021 highlight was simple: Seeing my parents in person after 18 months apart!

After 18 long months, Jessca was able to reunite with her parents.

Donna L.: I really missed my BAMR friends in 2020. I was so happy for the return of in-person BAMR meet ups and getting to reconnect!

Donna and her fellow BAMRs back in the same selfie.

Barb E. A highlight for me was meeting up with my early bird group for a training run in preparation for the Portland Marathon. We all gathered at the post office and ran part of their 21 miles with them.