Goal #1: Yoga 2x per week (1 paid class/1 free class)
Reality: Yoga 1x per week. As much as I'd like to get more yoga into my schedule, I've realized it's just not possible with my other commitments. AND THAT'S O.K.Goal #2: Running (>30min) or walking/hiking (>1hour) at least 2x per week.
Reality: I'm walking all the time with my dog, so the walking part of this goal is easily achievable. It's the running part that's tricky. I've been getting 1 run/week in fairly consistently, but realize I really need to get 3 runs in per week to be at my desired fitness level.Plan for achieving my goal: Designate specific days of the week as "run" days. Participate in weekly "run clubs"; make plans to go running with friends (establish an "acountabilibuddy"); bring run gear with me and change at work so I can't get distracted once I get home.
Goal #3: One bike ride per month (>10 miles).
Reality: I've only been on ONE bike ride this year :(. I love a good road ride, but it requires a big time commitment and plans can easily be thrown off by inclement weather or severely limited by the cold short days of winter. I'm starting to think I might have to tame my ambitions and revise my goal to one bike ride per quarter. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to find time for more biking next year.Goal #4: Compete in at least one event per quarter (running race, triathlon, etc).
Reality: Does the SPCA K9-3K Dog Walk count? Well, in my book it does :). This goal is as much about the community & fundrasing aspect as it is about the exercise & competition aspect. The SPCA K9-3K was an excellent event, and I was happy to be able to bring together a small team of fellow dog lovers to raise money and awareness for the cause. Go Team Barkley! I do want to do a few more races this year, but I haven't found the next event (if you know of any fun races for a good cause, let me know!). One race I do have my eye on is the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for arthritis in December, which was a great event last year. |
| Sea of Dog Walkers at the SPCA K9-3k in Raleigh |
Goal #5: Train & run a half marathon
Reality: I know this will require some dedicated training, but I still think it is a very achievable goal. Currently researching potential races and investigating training plans. Looking to complete this by Nov. 4th (end of daylight savings) at the latest.Goal #6: Attend 1 yoga workshop per quarter (attend 1 out of town retreat or other all-day event).
Reality: No workshops attended so far, BUT I have been trying out several new styles of yoga, which has helped to improve my practice and exposed me to a new community of yogis in Raleigh. Thanks to Groupon (or was it Living Social?), I tried out a new downtown yoga studio - Vault Yoga - during the month of February (you can read my Yelp review here), and also attended a few Anusara ("heart opening") Yoga classes with the ever-insightful Lila Rasa Brown at Evolve, which were quite different than the Prana Flow classes I had been frequenting for the past year.I'm only just now starting to appreciate how different the various styles of yoga really are; I used to think that the only type of yoga worth doing was the really athletic type (generally classified as vinyasa flow), but I have since come to appreciate more thoughtfully paced classes that focus on alignment and/or relaxation. My favorite classes are still the sweaty, fast-paced classes that challenge me with new and exciting arm balances and inversions that seem impossible at first, but become achievable through consistent practice.
Plan for achieving my goal: I have already signed up for a 3-hour workshop at Evolve this month, but I don't think additional local workshops will be a priority for me. I've realized that the main things I want to get from this goal is to (1) increase my involvement in the yoga community (2) expand my yoga practice by refining and improving my technique (3) challenge myself by taking my practice outside my comfort zone.
It is easy to get attached to a particular style of yoga or to become comfortable with a certain teacher/yoga studio. I like this feeling of belonging, and that is a big part of the reason I consistently go to the same studio and attend the same classes. However, through this goal, I want to break out of the routine. To grow. To have a story to tell.
So, I'm really focusing on finding an out-of-town retreat where I can do these things. As much as I'd love to fly off to India or Thailand or someplace über exotic like that, it's just not going to be feasible from a budgetary stand point. I've only done some preliminary research, but I'm intrigued by this option: http://www.yogaville.org/. Apparently Yogaville is a nationally recognized Ashram located near Charlottesville, Virginia. YES, an Ashram; like the one Liz went to in Eat. Pray. Love. Y'all know what I'm talking about. Too hippie? I haven't quite decided yet, but it just might be perfect :).
Goal #7: Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
Reality: This goal alludes me like no other. It should be easy! Why am I so challenged by the concept of going to bed before midnight! It's not even like I have insomnia - I fall asleep just fine. There's just so many other fun things to do at night; like catch up on blogging!
Plan for achieving my goal: A schedule. Yes, a very detailed timeline of events that must happen in order for me to get to bed by midnight. Home by 7:30. Dog walk by 8:30. Dinner by 9:30. Limit computer time to 1 hour. Allow some time to "chill" by watching an episode of House Hunters International. Read a little. Despite my best efforts, I am not having the best success sticking to the schedule. But at least I have plan :). Next week for sure.
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