10 things in 2015

Phil and I were reflecting on the year earlier in the week and Phil said "at least it was better than last year."
Which is true. While I don't look back on 2014 as a "bad" year, it involved me getting made redundant from my dream job, Phil being in a car crash (and writing off his car), one of Phil's closest friends being diagnosed with leukaemia... and all of these happened within a few weeks of each other.
But 2015 has been good. Of course, we all have our ups and downs, but I feel like I'll reflect on 2015 as being a good year. Obviously there are lots of little things to talk about that happened in 2015, but I liked the idea of a "top 10 of 2015", so here are some of my best bits...

1. Phil and I moved in together!

This is obviously a big one! Phil and I moved in together into our little flat in February and it's been absolutely amazing! I absolutely adore seeing him every day, I love living in the city centre and I just love our little flat! A lot of people told us that living together was a big step, and it was, but it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

2. Celebrated two years with Phil

We also celebrated two years together in November. He's a keeper.

3. I ran my first 5K under 30 minutes and my first 10K under 60 minutes

If you remember my goals for 2015 I made at the start of the year, these were two big milestones that I wanted to hit. I hit my first 5K in under 30 minutes in April and my first 10K in under 60 minutes in May. My 5K personal best now stands at 27:13 and my 10K personal best is 58:08. I'm incredibly proud of how far my running has progressed this year after plateauing a bit last year. I've taken over three minutes off my 5K time in this year alone. 

4. I ran four races, including my second half marathon!

My goal for 2015 was to run at least three races, but I didn't think at the start of the year I'd be training for my second half marathon! My second half marathon was hands down the best day of 2015, and I smiled through the entire race from start to finish. I have never been as proud as I was crossing that line at 2 hours 8 minutes.

5. I signed up for my first marathon!

Now I just have to run it - eek!

6. Went to London, Blackpool, the Lake District, Whitby and Spain

We've had some lovely little breaks this year and I'm looking forward to going back to the Lakes and Spain in 2016. I especially loved our trip to London in February where we saw Les Miserables on the West End. Oh we also went to Anfield to see Liverpool in January!

7. Went to the cinema 25 times

When Phil and I first started dating I said I wasn't really a film person and Phil was devastated. How things have changed! After over a year of Phil trying to persuade me, I got my Cineworld Unlimited card in November last year and now we go to the cinema at least twice a month. Some of my highlights from 2015? Whiplash, Amy, Birdman, Sicario, The Martian and Star Wars.

8. Read 40 books - and joined the library

When I commuted to work I used to read a lot, so I worried about making time to read once we moved into the city centre. But in February, we moved offices at work and were suddenly across the road from the library, so I started to go almost every lunchtime, and had to keep upping my reading goal (which had been 25 books!). The best books I read this year were A Little Life, Behind the scenes at the museum, A God in Ruins, Americanah, I am Pilgrim and Lean In. I add everything I read to my Goodreads, so go follow me over there!

9. Ran 651 miles

Here's to many, many, many more in 2016!

10. Stopped having sugar in my tea

I've been trying to give up sugar in my tea for years. I've always been able to drink it without but just preferred it with sugar so much. In February something clicked, finally, and I've not had sugar in my tea or coffee since. I don't miss it at all, and still drink just as much tea!

I hope you've all had a wonderful 2015, and I wish you all the best in 2016! I'll be back later in the week (next year!) with my goals for 2016.

Happy New Year!

Charlotte x