December and 2013 Goals Rewind ...

Miles Run: 45.06 miles. About the same as in November, but look for that to change this month. Off season is officially over and I am bringing the run back ...

Bike Miles Rode: 133.35 miles. My bike trainer and I are so totally BFFs ...

Swim Meters Completed: 8500m or 5.28 miles. Super low for me. I hate to get the in pool when it's cold outside.

 

Rest Days Taken: 11.

 

Highest Run Mileage Week: 12/16-12/22: 14.5 miles

 

Highest Bike Mileage Week: 12/16-12/22: 38.4 miles

 

Highest Swim Volume Week: 12/2-12/8: 4500m or 2.79 miles

 

Long Runs Completed (1 hr+ miles): 0

 

Current Book: Right now, I am reading Darkfever by Moning. But, I finished a few other books in December. (Note: For those of you who have asked, if it's on this or any of my lists, I would recommend the book. If I don't like the story or the book doesn't grasp my attention, I don't bother finishing it, thus it wouldn't be listed here.) 

• The Fiery Heart by Mead
• Eve & Adam by Grant
• The Bone Season by Shannon
• The Boyfriend List by Lockhart
• Fated by Noel
• Echo by Noel
• Mystic by Noel
• Horizon by Noel
• Elixir by Duff
• Runaway by Cabot
• Being Nikki by Cabot
• Cruel Summer by Noel
• Devoted by Duff
• The Pledge by Derting
• Underworld by Cabot
• Abandon by Cabot
• Shiver by Stiefvater
• Linger by Stiefvater
• Forever by Stiefvater

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Dunkin Donuts Peppermint Mocha Coffee with an extra shot of mocha. Being in New England over the holidays where there is a Dunkin Donuts on every corner may have been my undoing ...

Current Colors: Orange and Gray. Just like my new North Face vest!
 
Current Drink: I'm pretty sure we covered this already ...

 

Current Song: Stay the Night - Zedd and Hailey Williams

 

Current Triumph: I think that overall I had a pretty good year. I spent more time doing what I love and less time stressing about the things I don't. I'm proud of how I lived my 2013 and am excited to see what 2014 has in store for us.

 

Current Goal: Be a better me. Each and every day. And start tackling my 2014 goals ...

 

Current Blessing: Health, happiness and love. I've got all three.

 

Current Excitement: My birthday is 35 days away and my sister is expecting her first child any day now. Can't wait for both of those big days!

 

2013 To Do List:

 

Fitness:

• 140.6. That is all. - Didn't happen. And honestly, I am 100% OK with that.
• Make time for strength training. Don't let training loads eliminate strength workouts completely. And stick to strength training in a group, it keeps you accountable. - I added this mid-year to my list. I definitely did a decent job, but hope to be more consistent in 2014.
• Switch to time-based/HR training. Despite my knowledge of training paces, I have a hard time sticking to them. I'm hoping this will help me train more effectively. - I have to admit, I hated this. I didn't really see any results and I'm not eager to try this again.
• Log 4,500 cumulative run, bike and swim miles. Up 485 from 2012. - As of January 1st, 2957.78 miles logged. Not what I hoped for, but not too shabby either.
• 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. - No progress on this one. But, it does look like I will run one in 2014.
• Set a new PR in the Half Marathon, currently 1:57:06. I totally blew this one in 2012 and will likely only have one good shot at it in 2013.- Fail. Epic fail.
• Run a 5K with Dizzle and Doodle, even if that means tricking them into it. - This didn't happen either. Hopefully, we can make this happen in 2014.

Nutrition:

• Eat like a gluten-free athlete. After struggling with health issues much of 2012, removing the gluten has been key in alleviating the symptoms. Don't be swayed by the lure of wheat. Or cake.- On point, like usual.
• Find the race day (and training) nutrition plan that works for me.- Ding, ding, ding!
• Consume no more than 18 desserts from Shyndigz. This number worked well in 2012 and helped me cut back on my serious cake addiction. Plus, their gluten-free menu is limited, so I shouldn't be tempted as often. - As of January 1st, 19 desserts consumed. Oops! But really, this is not my fault. The last time I visited there the owner sent me away with a box of gluten free goodies. I had no choice but to eat them.
• Drink at least 100oz of water per day.- Oh, heck yeah.

Personal:

• Only say yes to the projects you REALLY want to work on. An honest no is much better than a halfhearted yes. - Check.
• Stick to our budget. We've lived credit card (and credit card debt) free for 13 months. No reason to go back now. - Double Check.
• Ignore your impulses. Take time to process the true value of the things you are filling your space/life with. - Yes and no. Definitely something to keep working on.
• Figure out what to do with my hair. Keep the mohawk or grow it out. I'm taking opinions on this one.- Nothing but trims to help my hair grow in a normal pattern since May! And it looks horrible.
• Continue to balance family life, training and now, work.- Check.
• Prioritize and be a good example for the people in your life. - Like quadruple check!
• 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.- I would never waiver on this one!