Well I guess it is that time again.  Time to close the chapter on 2010 and look forward to 2011.  We all seem to write the obligatory New Year’s Resolutions in January, but I’ve decided to start a little early this year.  My mojo seems to be coming back from my off-season Fall slump and I think the body and mind are ready to be engaged in some more constructive pathways than the one that has been leading me closer and closer to the couch 🙂

So here it is…..I know you have been on pins and needles waiting for this…….My Racing& Competitive Goals for 2011!

1.  Run a sub-20:00 min 5K in a race (on a course that I am pretty confident is measured correctly).  I’m no speed demon, but I’m close to accomplishing this and it is a nice change of pace from always going longer.

2.  Finish the Boston Marathon with a smile on my face and the legs to sightsee and enjoy the rest of the day and fresh enough to turn around and do another 26.2 four weeks later!

3.  Race a sub-5:00 hour half-ironman.  WOW!  This seems like such a lofty goal.  Dare I say, that I would love a 4:45?!?!  There it is…..Out on the table.  I guess I can’t take it back now.  YIKES!

4.  Find the balance to accomplish 1-3 without sacrificing too much family time and hopefully being at least a mediocre employee.

Goals are hard!  Hard to set and even harder to accomplish.  I guess they need to be though.  Goals are meant to extend us beyond our comfort zones.  Stretch us beyond those self-imposed limits we cling so tightly to.  I’m a Type-A personality.  A red.  A Leo.  If I set a goal, I have a terrible need to over-achieve (sometimes to my own detriment).  Meeting a goal is usually not good enough.  I need an “A+”.  Bonus points, if you will.   So I need to be careful.  I’m finding more and more that moderation and balance are the key.  Balance keeps me healthy, both mentally and physically.  I can have goals, but sometimes I just have to be okay with doing my best.  Letting the chips fall where they may.   Hence, Goal #4.

So this January, get out your pen and paper (or Blog) and set some goals.  Any goal will do.  You don’t have to make one for every aspect of your life.  Just pick a few.  You don’t have to be perfect all the time and you don’t need a list so long it hits the floor.  Stretch yourself a bit.  Write something down you don’t think you can do.  Put all your spirit forward to accomplish those goals while balancing the most precious and important things that you should never sacrifice.  (I chose to sacrifice sleep, showering, make-up and dry hair……yours may differ slightly from this list).   Success is relative.  Put the effort forth, find a balance and do your best.  At the end of the day know you gave it everything and continue to look forward to the next challenge you chose to embrace.

Here’s to a 2011 full of accomplishment, success and balance.  Cheers!