Of bucket lists and resolutions

So – as I was getting ready to draft my post today, which I fully intended to be short and sweet (best intentions, I swear!), I stumbled on  my 2011 resolutions post.

I was really just digging around trying to find the “bucket list” post I wrote awhile back. Why? Because I’m about to knock something off my bucket list that I probably never even mentioned as one of my “bucket list, fitness-style” goals.

But alas, it *is* a bucket list item of mine:

I’m going to run in Central Park this weekend!! 

Seems like such a small thing – especially if you live in NYC and Central Park is just another park to you – but for me, it signifies the quintessential running experience, somehow. I’m not even really sure why, but for me – it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m really excited that I’ll get that shot over the weekend.

I’ll be in NYC to see one of my favorite friends get (re) married to her total soul mate. They are actually getting married right in Central Park (so NO RAIN, please!) which I think is just the coolest thing ever. I promise to take lots of pics to share – including a few of me rocking a new dress that I am hoping looks pretty killer after all this work I’ve been putting into things. 😉

But back to the whole resolutions and bucket list thing – I was re-reading my 2011 resolutions post and it dawned on me: I’ve almost killed the entire list already and we’re only halfway through the year! 

For example:
I’ve kicked fat talk to the curb – and I do believe it is gone for good. Yes, please.

I’ve gotten over my hatred of yoga/pilates style workouts – um hello, barre n9ne challenge!!

I’ve signed up for my next half marathon. Oh yes, I have. Bring it on, baby!

I’m learning to give myself a bit of a break – letting my Type-A tendencies go just a wee bit. I can’t say I’ve killed this one (yet) but hey – work in progress, right?

The only thing I haven’t touched yet is the whole I wanna do a triathalon thang. I kinda need to learn to swim first. Oops. Have gotten nowhere on that one. Note to self – teach self to swim at the lake this summer.  Um, maybe??

Oh – and while I’m at it, another item I’d like to add to my “bucket list” for this year? A return to NYC for a barre bootcamp weekend – an idea I concocted with Dori. I think it’s a pretty fab concept, personally. I’m trying to get Sam at Mom at the Barre, Jess at FitChickintheCity and Ali at AliontheRun (so I can convince her that barre workouts ARE truly awesome afterall, haha). Anyone else want in on this party?? 😉  (Tanya and Jo, perhaps?)

And with that – I’m off to get my workday accomplished (very long to-do list, oy) and then the road trip to NYC begins bright and early tomorrow morning (with a packed cooler – gotta keep my game face on, challenge-wise, food log, I will continue to own you!).

Weee! 😉

2011 resolutions and expectations

2011.

It’s almost here.

And I’m psyched.

I have a new job.

A new outlook and perspective – those notes to self will be firmly planted on my fridge for the duration of the year.

2010 was incredible. How on earth could 2011 top that?? I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I just know I’m ready to embrace all that the year has in store for me. Bring it on, baby!!

But before 2011 hits, it’s time for some resolutions, shall we?

• I can and I must kill the fat talk for good. It was my 2010 resolution and one that I sadly did not meet. I let fat talk control me some days, and other days I kicked it to the curb. I’ll say that I’m better at identifying those negative fat talk thoughts and pushing them aside quicker than before, but I’ve not broken the habit for good. In 2011, I will.
• I will learn to swim and will hopefully get my first tri under my belt. I’m trying to curb my expectations here a little bit only because I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew. First up – learn to swim. If i can conquer that one, and feel confident that I can put enough training in to complete a tri next summer, then I’ll commit. For now, one gigantic goal at a time, right?
• Speaking of which, I DO want to run another half marathon in 2011. It might be the Wicked Half again. It might be another half entirely – and maybe even in a different state! Time will tell. But I know I want to do it again. Nothing compared to how I felt crossing that finish line after all the hard work and hours spent training. I miss it. I crave it. I want to rock the socks off my next half. I really do.
• I want to overcome the “I have no patience for yoga/pilates, etc. funk” I throw myself into every time I think about adding it to the mix. To that end, given the experience I had with Core Fusion recently after just one week’s worth of dedication to it, I’m going to embark on the Core Fusion challenge after my STS rotation ends in the middle of January. That means doing a Core Fusion workout 4-5 times per week, in addition to some cardio. And that’s it. It’s time to find my inner strength, something I definitely lack in some ways and I feel confident (especially after reading about Dori‘s experiences with Core Fusion this past year) that this is my best route to finding inner strength. More on this to come, for sure.
• And finally, I want to give myself a break. Kind of seems counter-intuitive given some of my resolutions above, huh? But what I mean by that is that I want to learn to let go a little bit more, learn to go with the flow, be a little less Type A. All of the things I’ve been blogging about more often, lately. Learning to live versus living by a routine 100% of the time. Letting go and giving myself the green light to sleep in and skip a workout if I feel the need. But without the guilt that normally accompanies it. Life is too short to live that way. And I’ve found myself living that way a lot this year…and I realize that it’s not entirely healthy. There’s something to be said for routine and structure and all that jazz, but there’s also something to be said for living in the moment and being spontaneous now and then too. Most people don’t normally associate “spontaneity” and me, I’ll tell you that much. 😉

I feel like there are probably tons more resolutions and goals rolling around in my head, but we’ll save those for a bucket list or a mid-year resolutions check-in or something like that, I’m sure.

For now, this is my list for 2011.

Most of all, I just want to enjoy every last moment. Savoring each day as a gift, and giving it my all.

Cheers to you all – I promise you, 2011 is going to be some ride, that’s for sure.

One week later – results and ruminations

Well – it’s been one week since I threw down the Core Fusion gauntlet on myself.

Just one week later and what have I got to show for it, hmm?

• I feel stronger and dare I say, taller? (I use “taller” in relative terms, I am *just* 5’3″ afterall)
• My core feels more like a core and less like a hindrance
• I notice the impact it’s had on my other workouts (namely Kick, actually)

You’ll note that I don’t have pictures or anything to share (I didn’t take any, nor did I take measurements) – I mean really, it’s only been a week since this little “challenge” began and besides that, I’m not necessarily looking for just “surface” results here. I’m looking for strength and a core that will take me places. Not six-pack abs (this reminds me of Tina’s recent post on abs, which was awesome btw, and I totally agree with her).

So – for all intents and purposes, my Core Fusion challenge this past week has been a successful one. And for reasons that I’m proud to share as I stated above – and I’m psyched that I finally found a core workout that I’m confident I’ll stick with. FINALLY!

It is interesting, though (this is where my “ruminations” are coming in for the day…), that after just one week, I have a great new outlook on my goals for the cold winter months ahead. While I’m still planning to commit to a triathalon this coming summer as well as another half marathon at some point next year, I’m also excited about the little goals I’ve tucked into the back of my mind. I’m feeling a little bit less antsy and a lot more focused and I love that. I’m focused on building a strong core this winter, building additional strength through my third round of STS (starting meso 2 next week, woo!) and getting back into running now that my knee appears to be on the mend (can I get an “amen!”). Oh yeah, and how can I forget my quest to learn how to swim at the ripe old age of 31?! 😉

Clearly, I”m in quite the thankful mood today. Pretty fitting given next week is Thanksgiving – which I cannot believe is already upon us! I’m excited to run the Wild Turkey Run for the third year in a row now – it’s a great route, and is actually right around the same spot as the Wicked Half starts so I’m sure it’ll bring back loads of memories, too!

If I could share one #TheLittleThings thought for today (I feel like this entire post has been one big thank you, actually!), I’d say this: I’m thankful for the opportunity I have to continue to push myself physically, I realize that not everyone has so many fitness options at their fingertips and am so grateful for that. This is probably why I am so motivated to find new challenges to try, among other reasons. 😉

TGIF!