January 2, 2014

2014: Looking Ahead

I love the start of the New Year. I love the opportunity it presents to look back on the past year, on goals you made, things you accomplished, things you didn't accomplish, how you changed, how you grew, and how you're becoming a better you.

I made a list of goals for 2013. I didn't accomplish most of them. I don't mind. Most of them were running related and 2013 was the year that brought my first case of runners' burnout and, as a result, my first running related injury.

Of that list, I didn't run a sub-4 marathon. I didn't run one at all! I did PR the half-marathon...by 5 seconds! I didn't run a sub-25 minute 5k and I only took one shot at it. I didn't complete a 30 Day Yoga Challenge...but I made it through 19 days and found a love for yoga that I had never had before. I did get on a plane at least once per month. I did explore as much of DC as possible. I didn't study for the Foreign Service Test...and don't know if I will. I didn't save 1/3 of my salary...or close to it, but I put money in Savings and that's great. I didn't finish my college scrapbook...and 4 1/2 years out of college, don't know that I still care to. I did continue on my ballpark journey and visited 4 new stadiums.

See, that's the thing about goals. Things happen and things change. Some of the things on that list are things I'm not sure I want to still do. We'll see. I definitely still want to run a sub-4 marathon and I definitely want to do a 30 Day Yoga Challenge and visit all of the ball parks and put money in the bank, and those things will happen. Hopefully this year, but maybe not.

2014 is going to be one of the biggest years of my life. I'm getting married! This year, I'm busy planning my wedding...my marriage...my future! All of those goals I made for myself are great, but now, some of them, like saving money...are about both of us, and that's tremendously exciting!


That beings said, I've always been a goal-oriented person and I thrive off of setting goals and making lists and checking things off of them. So, here's my list of goals, resolutions, to-do's, or whatever you want to call them, that I have for 2014.

1. Get myself healthy and running again. This means a successful run of Physical Therapy. Doing yoga 2-3 times a week to gain flexibility and getting serious about strengthening my muscles and cross-training. I'd like to run a marathon this year. I'd like to do it in under 4 hours. Right now, getting back to running is my priority. So, I'll take things one step at a time.

2. Complete a 30 Day Yoga Challenge. I made it 19 days last time and the only reason I stopped is because I got hurt. Maybe starting marathon training and a 30 Day Yoga Challenge with no solid yoga base were a bad idea. If I get into a regular yoga practice now, I think I can complete the full 30 days injury free by spring.


3. Develop flexible vegetarian/non-vegetarian meals. Cooking in my house is a challenge. With The Pilot eating meat and being allergic to seafood, and me being a pescatarian, it gets complicated. I want to develop easy recipes that accommodate both of us...instead of continuously making two separate meals. I love to cook and with him only home a few days a week, this shouldn't be too difficult. We'll see.

4. Organize my recipes. I have a spattering of recipes all over my apartment. In magazines, cook books, printed out pages, in a folder in my email account...everywhere. It's time to get the organized and to keep in one central location so that I always have my favorite recipes on hand. I'll be scouring Pinterest for some fun DIY recipe organizers for this one. If you have one you like, feel free to send it my way!

5. Cook my way through my Pinterest boards. Logistically, this might be tough as I don't intend to stop pinning recipes, but rather than just keeping them online, I want to actually try these recipes. I've tried some of them (most of them I didn't like, ha!) but this year, I want to actually make it a point to make all of these things.


6. Make macaroons from scratch. I just love French macaroons. When The Pilot and I were in Paris last year, it took everything I had to allow myself to nap before heading out in search of macaroons in my jet lag induced haze. I have a few different recipes for them and I've never tried to make them but I know it's supposed to be difficult, so we'll see. There's a Sur Le Table near my apartment that does macaroon classes so if my first go isn't a success, maybe I'll sign up!

via {long distance loving}
A lot of these have to do with cooking. I guess I'm going to spend a lot of time in the kitchen this year!

7. Continue exploring DC as much as possible. I've fallen hard for this city in the kind of way that everyone warns you you might get your heart broken. Except that I don't see that happening. Even when I was waking up every morning dreading my day in a job I hated, I still loved this city. 2014 is going to be about making DC even more my home.

The National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden Fountain, in spring
via
8. 'Oops' my way to more places. I haven't gone on an 'Oops...I went to...' trip in ages...actually, I didn't go on one at all in 2013. Sure, I dropped everything a few times and went home to Jersey, but I miss the days of The Pilot calling and saying, 'I have 36 hours in Minneapolis starting tonight. Want to come?' The problem is that he didn't really have long overnights in very exciting cities this year. Sure, I'll go to Omaha but Gulfport, Mississippi? No thanks. I'm hoping he gets some better trips this year so that I can jet set a bit more!

9. Continue on my ballpark journey. I only have 8 more ballparks to go until I've seen them all! I'd like to make it back to Minneapolis this year and visit Target Field. Miami would also be nice. I wouldn't mind a trip to Saint Louis either. If I can visit three more stadiums this year, I'll be happy. I would also like for the Mets to make the playoffs. That would be a phenomenal wedding present. Terry Collins, take note.

So, there you have it. That's my plan for 2014. As always, I'll keep Planes, Trains and Running Shoes updated on my progress. Coming next week? My blog goals for 2014 and what you can expect from this here blog as it goes into its 4th year!

What are some of your goals for 2014?

4 comments:

  1. These are awesome goals, Christy!! I think you have enough determination to make this year great in regards to running, and especially since you aren't at that job anymore I think that will help a LOT--I noticed that with my running after I left ACS. Getting rid of the negativity of something like that will help tremendously in all areas of your life. Ahh this year is just going to be so exciting for you!!! I know it's going to be great :)

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  2. Great list Christy!!! My goals are based around not getting injured and just being awesome : )

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  3. Congrats on your wedding! We're opposite...I DIDN'T PR in the half after one measly attempt, but I DID run a sub-25 5K for a new PR. I guess we can't win them all!

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  4. Great post! I love setting goals but sometimes realize I feel more guilty/[pressured than I should and I need to relax. Goals should be fun and you have set some pretty good ones for 2014! Enjoy!!

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