2014 To Do List ...

Some people make resolutions.

Some people make goals.

And others, like me, embrace all of their OCD and Type-A tendencies and make a to-do list instead.

For me, a list gives me something to check off. It's an easy way to monitor my progress and it allows me to remove any doubt I have about tackling what lies ahead. There is just something about having a checklist that gives everything on it importance. Each individual item is as critical as the next and nothing gets left undone. Well, usually. Sometimes, life just throws you a curveball and you have to roll with it.

My to-do list for 2014 is different than in years past. There is nothing insanely daunting on it. I'm not looking to breaking records or push myself further than ever before. I think the focus has shifted away from me proving to myself that I can do something extraordinary to proving to myself that I can do something fulfilling and rewarding without stressing endlessly, making my family sacrifice or losing one aspect of my life for another. I guess what I am saying is that my 2014 to-do list is about balance.

Balance within my family.
Balance within my mind.
Balance within my body.
Balance throughout my life.

So here it goes:

Fitness:

• Get back to running 30-40 miles per week. For most of 2012 and 2013, I focused on 70.3 training. The only way for me to improve my cycling and swimming was to spend less time running. Eventually, my strongest discipline became my weakest and honestly, I am kind of over it. This year I won't race longer than an Olympic distance triathlon. Hopefully, this will allow me to balance my training loads and life a little better than in the past.
• Strength train two times per week. In the past, I have dropped strength training as my training volume went up. I'm not letting that happen in 2014.
• Run 1,400 miles. A huge jump from 2013, but far less than what I used to run.
• Bike 1,400 miles A huge drop from 2013, but if I am going to find time for those run miles something will have to give.
• Swim 140 miles. Pretty much where I finished up in 2013. This will probably be the most challenging mileage to hit.
• Race a 10K with a finish time much faster than your very dated current PR of 53:17. I never managed to register for a 10K in 2012 and I'm not sure where it will fit in this year, but it's on my radar. As it has been since 2009.
• Run a negative split marathon. I'm not looking for a PR. Just a well executed race.
• Run a 5K with Dizzle and Doodle. I'm thinking a Rev3 Glow Run for this one.

Personal:

• Only say yes to the projects I REALLY want to work on. An honest no is much better than a halfhearted yes.
• Stick to our budget. We were at about 90% with this last year, but I have a good feeling about 2014.
• Take a picture a day for a year.
• Read 150 books.
• Go the entire year without cutting my hair (unless I start to get a mullet, at which point a trim is required).
• Relearn Spanish. Just letting that Rosetta Stone course sit on the shelf isn't helping anyone.
• Blog at least two times per week. 2013 left me uninspired and stressed when it came to blogging. I'm hoping a new perspective will change this.
• Have a date night with J, once a month. Considering that we only manage about two dates per year at this point, I'd be super impressed if we pulled this off half of the time.
• Continue to balance family life, training and now, work.
• Prioritize and be a good example for the people in your life.
• Help and support J and the kids in reaching their goals. We are a team and that must always be the primary focus of our lives. No one should have to sacrifice so that someone else can reach their goal. If a balance can't be found, it's not worth pursuing.