Well, I am a bit reminiscent today. Some of my blogger friends are already into 2015, you are way ahead of me, I’ll catch up with you soon. (sorry about the running lingo, just had to) 🙂
What was 2014 like? It was a GREAT year, and for the next few moments, would like to just share a few of my “accomplishments”.
1. The 1st I would want to mention is this blog. Originally started to be therapeutic for myself, and “maybe” be a tiny bit of an inspiration to others, many people have laced on the sneakers, and are running along side of me on my journey. This has been wonderful. Recently, I had a card (not a business card, but like to call it an “inspiration card”) made up. Along the way, friends and acquaintances have asked, “Carl, what was the name of that blog again?” “Was it “Old Guy”, or was it “The Old Man?” My most “complimentary” one was, “Was it “The Old Fool Goes Running?” So that is how the card transpired. There you have it, a “blog”, and an “inspiration card.” Thank you to each of you who have inspired my to keep running AND to keep writing! 🙂
Our “inspiration card” 🙂
2. The 2nd accomplishment would be to get out on a mini vacation with my dear wife Lynne. We have gone on family camping trips, and camping trips for the 2 of us. But it has been 16 years (not since our 10th anniversary) since we have gone on a vacation for the 2 of us, where there is actually electricity and running water. Life gets so busy. We had a wonderful time. I know it will not be another 16 years until our next one! 🙂 A blog post on our mini vacation was titled Living On The Edge. 🙂
Where we stayed for our mini-vacation, The “Inn at the Falls”! 🙂
3. My 3rd accomplishment is to start experimenting with photography. I have always been a “point and shoot” kind of person. In our family summer vacation my daughter taught me how to do macro. A couple of the pictures can be found on this post, “Everything is Going to Be Alright.” I have been following 3 wonderful photographer bloggers, whose work is absolutely outstanding. I have learned much from their posts, but they also praise and encourage me as a beginner. Here are the links to these bloggers: PhoTrablogger, Luciledegodoy, Everything Candid. 🙂
A macro photo taken on our family vacation. 🙂
4. My 4 accomplishment would be learning how to check for any texts on a Smart Phone. Unfortunately my old LG is no longer holding a charge, so my wife gave me her old Blackberry. I don’t have a data plan, but I have learned how to turn it on, and with the “swoosh” of the finger find the text and then open it up to read those texts. My 1st ever experience with a Smart Phone was last summer when my wife loaned me her phone after she installed one of those ‘”runner’s apps”. I wrote a post about it called, “The Old Fellow Goes High Tech” 🙂
Following my long run using this “runner’s app” my wife set up for me! 🙂
5. Yeah, yeah, if you are a reader this one will seem very lame, but I read a book in 2014…..yes, you heard that right, an ENTIRE book! In the post a few weeks ago, “The Very Inspiring Blogger Award“, one of the questions asked was “What was my favourite book and why?” Life gets very busy, and I don’t often get a chance to read, so I had to confess that I have might have read 5 entire books in the last 35 years. This year WAS different. My daughter gave me a book for Christmas, she thought I might like it. It was called “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed, and is about a young lady with no backpacking experience, decides to backpack the Pacific Crest Trail. I had 5 days off work in a row, I figured if I don’t read it now, it will not happen. So often I start a book, then get busy, try to pick up where I left off a couple of weeks later, but I forget everything, so the book remains unread. On boxing day, while others were boxing each other for deals at the mall, I was as “snug as a bug in a rug”, in bed reading my book. I did not emerge from my cocoon until 6 hours later. The book was finished, all 315 pages of it, and I loved it. It was like a marathon. I have NEVER read an entire book in one go in my lifetime (other than maybe “Goldilocks and The 3 Bears”, and others similar to my children when they were younger). 🙂
6. My last accomplishment mentioned here is that marathon. Not my marathon, but OUR marathon. I never, ever expected to pull this thing off with a sprained ankle, but we did it. I never would have thought how important that prior conditioning was, until being laid up for 19 days, and then “going for it”. For the write up on that full marathon, held in Toronto, Canada, the post is called, “Running From the Sidelines” I hope you don’t mind, but we are already registered for 3 events the 1st half of 2015. The 1st will still be in the Canadian winter and is called the “Chilly Half Marathon” held on March 1st. So do please dress warm. Actually had a “Green Christmas” this year, probably the 3rd or 4th in my lifetime. We have had heavy snows, but followed by rain and warmer temperatures. So have had some good runs in. After finishing that book on Boxing Day morning, we ran an 18.8 kilometer run. 🙂
As we turn the pages to a brand new year, the snow has returned. I love the fact that that many of you are from all around the world, and are enjoying summer like weather. It is an honour to follow you and be your friend. Wishing you a WONDERFUL 2015. 🙂
Carl
Taken Boxing Day, this is the snowmobile trail in the village where I live, normally extremely busy with sleds!
Now where did my car go? Around 25 + centimeters of snow arrived overnight. Winter has returned! 🙂
theoldfellowgoesrunning 
An amazing year. I only joined it for the second half but have enjoyed your posts very much. Can’t wait to see what 2015 has in store.
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Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing. Have always loved your blog name, which is so reflective to the adventures you have embarked on.
Happy New Year. It is going to be a GREAT one! 🙂
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Awesome job, Carl! Looking forward to more posts and photos in 2015! And I love your businesscards 🙂
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Thank you so much, the graphic design person at work does freelance on the side, and she did the cards for me.
I really appreciate our connection, and the fact you know the stomping grounds where I run, is pretty cool.
So looking forward to continuing to read more of your posts in 2015. They are SO fun and entertaining. 🙂
Happy New Year! 🙂
~Carl~
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Onward, Carl. All the best in 2015 with abundant good health!
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Thank you so much Eric for taking the time to stop by, read and comment. 🙂
All the best in return to you and your loved ones in 2015!
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Love the card! Can you design my business cards?! Only joking I know how busy you are! Wishing you a fantastic New Year!
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Ha, ha, thanks Natalie, my tech skills are about the same as my Smart Phone skills. A friend from work who is the graphic design person did the cards!
Thank you for your camaraderie this past year! May you have a fabulous 2015. Happy running! 🙂
~Carl~
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You too!
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Happy New Year! You’ve had an amazing year and I look forward to following your adventures in 2015. You are an inspiration!
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Happy New Year in return. It has been great engaging and encouraging each other on our running adventures this past year. Thank you so much! 🙂
~Carl~
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Love all your accomplishments…you should be proud. I am thinking of biting the bullet and updating my old phone which doesn’t do much other than call and text people. Don’t know how I will go with a phone that you can actually get apps for or connect to social media….somebody stop me then. I am really glad that you have booked us in for some more running events, I’m not even sore from our last 18km run the other day, lol. Looking forward to following your adventures. Beth.
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Thanks so much for dropping by Beth, and for your very kind words.
Yeah, the “new” hand-me-down phone I’m just using for phone calls and texting. Even that was a learning curve…..lol! 🙂 The data plans are pricey, my wife has a data plan where she goes on-line with her phone, but I don’t need it. Got my home computer! 🙂
Hey, glad you are up for those up and coming events. Will definitely need you to be running alongside of me. Well done with your Adventurethon in Albany. (somehow I missed this post, and just read it)
Have a GREAT New Year, 🙂
~Carl~
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Apart from an inspirational marathon runner, you are a fast learner too 😀 Photography, use of smart phone to name a few 😀
Have a great year ahead with lot more inspirational stuffs 😀
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Thank you my friend, you are very kind. My wife might have a different opinion, if I am a fast learner with a smart phone…lol…, but I “think” I can send a text now! 🙂
Great having your camaraderie. Looking forward to the coming year! 🙂
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haha 😀 Isn’t it an improvement ?! 😀
I remember, what I first read was your adventure with smartphone 😀 The running app
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lol…yeah in perspective I guess I really AM learning! 😀
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hahah 😀 Keep up the good work 😀
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I love this post. What an amazing year you have had. I cannot wait to see what you have in store this year. 🙂 Much love -CC
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Thank you so much for running alongside of me this past year, my friend. I have appreciated you so much, and for your always encouraging words!
Much love in return,
~Carl~
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Great post and accomplishments! Happy New year!
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Thank you so much Adriana. May you have a wonderful New Year yourself! 🙂
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Congratulations on all of your accomplishments in 2014 Carl! You’re truly an inspiration and I always look forward to your smiling face at work!
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Thank you so much Devan. This really means a lot. It is always so good to see you at work. You are a wonderful colleague and a great encourager! 🙂
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Such a wonderful and inspiring post Carl! It looks like 2014 was an amazing year. May 2015 be filled with many blessings and more amazing adventures!
~Mar
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Thank you so much Mar for taking the time to drop by, read and comment. It was a blessing and an encouragement.
Many blessings to you and your beautiful family this coming year!
~Carl~
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Going great guns! This year can only go up 🙂 Congratulations Carl
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lol…”Going great guns” What a cool saying. I can’t say I have ever heard that before Prajakta. Thanks for dropping by, 2015 WILL be a great year! 🙂
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You sound well on your way, Carl – way farther along than I! I thought the “mental threshold” I mentioned in the post you saw We Dream Again would’ve spoken to you as a runner. Bravo on the mileposts. Even the small ways we challenge ourselves out of our mental defense “No, I can’t” are important triumphs in self-development.
Here we go!
Diana
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Thank you so much Diana, that was so kind of you. I don’t know if I would be further along though…..lol! 🙂
In life and in running, we encourage each other. I love my running partners in real life, I love my blogging partners. Thank you for being one of those partners Diana! Thank you for all your encouragement 🙂
We have good days, and bad days. We have good runs and bad runs. If we approach those “bad runs” in a positive way, it will make us a better runner on the big day, marathon day.
Self development in life, sometimes for me can be so much harder than running. I mess up so many times as a husband, a father, a minister, a co-worker, a friend. And with forgiveness we pick up the pieces and move on.
As you mentioned with those 3 words…..”Here we go!”
Blessings my dear friend,
~Carl~
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Thanks for having me along for the ride this latter part of the year Carl. You have achieved much in 2014 so things can only getter better in 2015 right?
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I have LOVED having you along for the ride (or the run) the last part of 2014. 🙂 Thank you! You have had some difficult times this past year Suzanne, and 2015 WILL be much better!
Thank you always for your care, your encouragement, and your friendship.
Blessings my dear friend,
~Carl~
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Carl, this is a lovely post of some of your accomplishments in 2014. What a great idea, the “inspiration card”, really wonderful! Your share so graciously, it’s always a pleasure to read your posts! Wishing you, my friend, a fantastic 2015!
Warm wishes,
Pepperanne
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Thanks so much Pepperanne. It always puts a great big smile on my heart to see you drop by with your uplifting comments. 😀
Thank you for your friendship. Have a tremendous 2015!
sincerely,
~Carl~
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Love this post! It seems like you had a lot of accomplishments in 2014. Number 4 cracks me up 🙂 Congrats on learning to use a smart phone!
I always enjoy reading your posts! I hope you have many accomplishments in 2015 as well!
Shelby
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Hi Shelby,
It is so wonderful to have you stop by. Thank you so much for your very kind comments about my accomplishments in 2014. 🙂
Have a GREAT year ahead my friend. Hoping you have a superb semester in college, and that you will crush it.
~Carl~
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I don’t know how you Canadians do it–the snow thing. I love snow days. I just can’t imagine that much that often. Great post! What a great year!!! Wishing you another wonderful one! love the business card idea. I so need to do that.
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Than you April for stopping by to leave your wonderful comment. Snow day yesterday for our 2 children in high school. Been getting “hammered” with snow these past few day! 🙂
I have admired your past year. You have accomplished much!
Blessings to you and your beautiful family! 🙂
~Carl~
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Thank you!!
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I’m glad you shared a bit of your life with the rest of us. Your completion of the marathon sprain and all I especially found inspiring. You will probably find yourself enjoying more and more “phototherapy” with me and a bunch of our fellow bloggers. Once you start, its kind of…addicting?! You had a great 2014 and here’s to an even better 2015 🙂
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Always love having you drop by Lilka. Yes, your word “phototherapy” describes the “addiction” I am starting to feel more and more.
Thank you for reading, and for your wonderful comment.
Blessings in 2015! 🙂
~Carl~
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It sounds like 2014 was a very good year and my hope for you is that 2015 will be even better! Your photo rocked! I’m happy to hear you”ve joined the world of smart phones. They can take some awesome pictures too. I have written all my blogs on mine as my kids managed to break 3 laptops in one year so I refused to buy a computer until they learn to take better care of things. And no they aren’t toddlers- they are young teenagers. I did get a tablet for Christmas but still prefer the phone for blogging. Have a great 2015!
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Thank you so much Sharon.
And WOW, that is amazing that you write all your blogs on your phone. I probably have a ways to go before I get that tech savvy….lol.
So glad I saw your gest post on Holistic Journey, so I could connect with you. 🙂
Have a wonderful 2015!
~Carl~
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Been meaning to read Wild (actually one of the books I want to read this year) especially because I heard the movie for it is coming out. Have you read “Into the Wild”? I heard that it’s about his sister or something… any chance you’ve seen that movie and can confirm? 🙂
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Hi Jeddacp. Thank your for stopping by, and your comment. Yeah the book “Wild’ is excellent, you will enjoy it, I am looking forward to the movie. 🙂
With the book and movie “Into the Wild”, I have not read the book or read the movie. Know the story very well though. It is about Christopher McCandless, a guy who ended up living in the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990’s. I read a lot of outdoor magazines, and I remember reading a factual article in Outside magazine, about the story shortly after the passing of Mr. McCandless. I sort of “knew” it would become a book, and “possibly” even a movie. Jon Krakauer wrote the book not too many years after that Outside magazine article. One of the things I have wanted to do, but just have not done! 🙂
Sounds like you enjoy the outdoor adventure kind of stuff, which is pretty cool. 🙂
~Carl~
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Hi there Carl, I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award because I’ve always enjoyed your posts so much! Visit my page for more details and accept the award (if you haven’t already!)
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Aw, thank you so much Ashley, this means a lot.
I will definitely accept. I still have to get working on a “Peace and harmony Award” from another blogger a month ago. I “may” combine and do the 2 awards together in 1 post. Haven’t decided though. 🙂
Thank you again Ashley! 🙂
~Carl~
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Wow Big accomplishments in 2014…excellent. I will follow along in your journey.
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Thank you so much. Very appreciated! 🙂
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sounds like you had a great 2014, hopefully 2015 will continue the trend. I will keep an eye out for your posts
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Thank you so much, 201 is off to a great start. Looking out for your posts as well. 🙂
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Love your inspiration cards. Must copy them!
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Thank you Tony! 🙂
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