Ever feel like your life is a never-ending to-do list? Buckle up, because 2024 was a wild ride for me, a chaotic blend of ultra-marathons and business challenges. From pacing marathon runners in Bandung to conquering mountains in Bali, I'm still trying to figure out how I survived (and maybe even thrived!). Here's the story of my year, month by insane month:
January: New Beginnings and Feeling Thankful
January was the start of a crazy year. I'm so grateful I got the chance to interview for Pocari Sweat Pacer. I tried to show them that I'm a long-distance runner and really want to help other runners as a pacer. At Suitmedia, we were also very excited about our new talent development program. One of the best things was our new e-learning platform, Rocketversity. It's a place where our team can learn and grow.
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| 2024 : Year of Ultra |
February: Building Momentum, Inside and Out
February was about making new friends and growing sense of purpose. Meeting the other new pacers for the first time was awesome. We all shared the same excitement and a little bit of nervousness for what was coming. I'm also grateful that Suitmedia kept pushing our wellness program, SuitRun and SuitSports. We even worked with a wellness startup to make sure everyone was healthy, both physically and mentally. Plus, we got a new client, a global fitness brand! I'm so thankful they trusted us.
March: Inspiration and a Reality Check
March was a mix of good and not-so-good things. I was so lucky to volunteer in Kelas Inspirasi Yogyakarta, teaching kids at SDN Niten in Kulon Progo. They were so enthusiastic! But then, things got real at Suitmedia. Financial results weren't as rosy as we'd hoped. It was a sobering moment that led me to consult a tax advisor for the first time. It was a wake-up call, but I'm thankful we caught it early.
April: Community and a Glimpse of Paradise
April was full of new connections and surprises. I ran with Kecerun, a running community in Bandung, and made some new friends. Then, I accidentally got a 10K PB at the Asics x Yumaju BerlebaRun! Sometimes, the best things happen when you least expect them. I'm super grateful to Pocari Sweat for sending me to Balikpapan to be a pacer. It was my first time there! I also ran my first trail race of the year, Merbabu Skyrace. The mountain views were amazing, the most beautiful race I did all year.
May: Ultra Dreams Take Flight in Bali
May was a big month. The Pocari Sweat Pacers were announced! I was so happy to be chosen as a marathon pacer for the sub 5:30 group. But even more exciting, I went to Bali for my first ultra trail race: BTR Ultra 2024. I'm so thankful I pushed myself to do it. It's like I transformed from someone who'd rather spend a long weekend in bed to someone who conquered two mountains before lunch! Finishing the BTR Ultra 55K was incredible. The views of Lake Batur were unforgettable.
June: Public Recognition and Professional Wins
June was a great month. The Pocari Sweat Pacers team was announced to the public, and I felt so proud. At Suitmedia, we got new clients: two SOEs and a foreign bank. They trusted us with their social media, UI/UX, and creative projects, which I'm very thankful for.
July: Helping Others and Taking a Pause
July was all about the Pocari Sweat Run. Helping countless runners achieve their goals as a marathon pacer was an incredibly rewarding experience. I couldn't stop smiling! However, back at the off, we had to stop our external talent development program for a while. The internal program is still going strong with our HR team, and I'm thankful we can still focus on our employees.
August: Bali and a Marathon PB Against the Odds
August started with volunteering in Kelas Inspirasi Bali, teaching kids in Sukawana village. It's always so rewarding. After that, I joined a "fun trail run" with Colla Hash Bali that turned out to be a rather demanding 36K with 2200m+ elevation gain! The main event, though, was the Maybank Bali Marathon. Despite a slightly chaotic preparation, I somehow managed to snag a personal best! Thank God for that.
September: Ultra Addiction and New Business
Just six days after my marathon PB, I found myself running another ultra trail race: BDG Ultra! I completed the 64K course (my longest distance yet!) in 15 hours. I think I'm addicted to ultra running now. Suitmedia also got a new client, a construction SOE, for a web project. I'm really grateful for their trust in us.
October: Chasing Speed and Seeing New Places
October was about chasing a different kind of goal: a half marathon PB. After 103 runs of 21K++ since March 2021, including 5 marathons and 2 ultras, I finally broke the 2-hour mark at the PLN Electric Run! It was an unbelievable journey. I also ran a marathon in the Jakarta Running Festival on the spur of the moment. It was also an honor to volunteer with Ruang Berbagi Ilmu in Luwu Timur, Sulawesi Selatan, sharing about digital literacy with teachers. It was also my first time visiting Sulawesi, exploring Makassar and Malili. I'm very thankful for these experiences.
November: Rain, Mud, and Lots of Hard Work
November brought another trail race: Salak Eco Trail 21K, a solid warm-up for the main event: Siksorogo Lawu Ultra. The race lived up to its reputation as my hardest race ever. It wasn't the distance or elevation gain, but the relentless rain that made it truly brutal. It was definitely the hardest race of the year. But I finished it, and I'm grateful for that. On the business side, we welcomed new clients from regional institutions and private companies for various development projects.
December: Night Marathon and Year-End Reflections
December concluded the year with my first night marathon: UI Ultra 2024. The biggest challenge? Staying awake after 9 pm! I crossed the finish line in 5 hours. At Suitmedia, we faced some tough realities. We missed our sales target and had to implement cost-efficiency measures. Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic and determined to make the next year even better. I'm thankful for everything we learned and hopeful for next year.
Closing: What It All Means
So, what did I learn from this crazy year? That I'm capable of more than I ever thought possible, that community and connection are essential, and that even when things get tough, there's always something to be grateful for. Thanks for following along on this crazy journey. Here's to another year of pushing boundaries and chasing dreams. I hope next year will be even better!
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