I know everyone is posting about either recapping 2013 or goals and resolutions for 2014 but all I can think about over here are bulls…as in the running of the bulls and giant, larger-then-life bull fighters in Spain. Why you may ask? Well because in 2014 I will be traveling to Spain to compete in the World Championship Duathlon and I think I would rather run with the bulls or attempt to fight one because the thought of the actual competition makes me want to soil myself.
Doesn’t this look like fun?
I just can’t wrap my head around all that I have to do, and at the same timeI’m scared to sit down and create a plan, because that will make it really real. My emotions swing from excitement to nausea and back from one moment to the next. I feel as though I need someone to smack me in my whole face, shake me hard by the shoulders, and then hand me a training plan and point me toward my bike. Any takers?
I need to get this girl back! Has anyone seen my game face?
One of my favorite bloggers Cori at Olive to Run wrote a great post about choosing a word to define your year. Her word? Fearless. Yep, I’m going to definitely and absolutely need to be fearless and here’s some more reasons why:
1. Instead of running my usual spring half-marathon in my home state this year, I’m traveling to NYC to run one – for the first.time.ever. I’m beyond excited to run (and maybe meet up with some NYC blogging friends?) but also scared of the “unknown.” The race I usually do, I do with friends. I’ll be alone in NYC. The race I usually do, I know the course by heart. I haven’t a clue what the route is in NYC and even when I look it up I won’t really know.
Be fearless.
2. I’m turning 39 in March. This obviously puts me at the very top of my age group (for racing) and therefore I need to be at the very top of my game. It’s also the last year of my thirties which has been an amazing decade for me.
Be fearless.
3. Miles and Vaughn will turn 5 in April and I think this officially makes them no longer toddlers. I’ve known for quite some time that I’m not having any more kids, but to not have babies anymore, but real life children who will be going to kindergarten makes me feel, well, old. The boys get more challenging by the day and are growing so fast that I can hardly stand it. Pretty soon I won’t be able to hold them and they won’t even want me to.
Be fearless.
The boys second birthday. Didn’t I just take this yesterday?
4. I’m committed to learning at least some Spanish before our crew hits Spain. When the hell I’m going to make time for Rosetta Stone is so far beyond me but I’ve shunned my Cuban heritage for long enough!…and I need to be able to communicate if I get lost on the course! Donde esta….er, um….me llamo es…
No tener miedo. (I so just Googled that)
Think of all the things Pit Bull and I can chat about in his native language!
5. I’m going to join Pinterest.
Be fearless.
6. I will celebrate my one-year of blogging in May which makes me feel like I need to take my writing to the next level, whatever that may be…
Be fearless.
I know that you’re supposed to visualize the best possible outcomes for any goal you’re trying to achieve. When I was a little girl competing in gymnastics, my dad taught me that technique for my competitive routines and I thought he was a genius! However, I find myself now visualizing the worst possible outcomes of all my fears; not completing or failing miserably in the duathlon, getting injured before I can run my first race in NYC, the boys completely losing interest in me and all the things we do together, not learning one damn word of Spanish. Is that the worst that can happen? If so, it’s really not all that bad, is it? Ok, maybe the part about the boys but then I can catch up on a lot of reading and really let this writing thing take off!
But seriously, I still have my loving family, supportive friends and the English language. There’s nothing to be afraid of. The only fear I should have is of not trying at all, of not setting my goals bigger and higher and farther away from what I think I can achieve. Some of my dreams for 2014 are big. Some of them are scary but all of them are 100% possible.
I will be strong like bull! I will be fierce like bull! I will be determined and I will dominate in the way of the bull. What’s my word this year? BULL! Oh, it can be used in so many ways. It’s perfect.
Now, where’s that 20 week duathlon training plan…?
What are your goals for 2014? What scares you in the coming year? What’s your word?
Perfect word to describe your impending races for 2014, as You WILL be strong like BULL for NYC & World Championship Dualthon and you look more like you are turning 29 vs 39 ! Proof that staying fit keeps one young.
Rosetta..could you listen to it while you bike? hmmm..yea that would make you crazy!
Ok my word is FAT..as in continuing to run as far away from it as possible!
Finishing my full on San Diego (gulp) and no matter what obstacle comes my way..figuring a way out or around it!
Oh and avoiding all TLC shows (Honey Boo Boo etc. .LOL)
P.S. ..thank you for continuing to set the bar because it inspires us all #miyagistrong :-))
P.S.S. ran into someone I have not seen in a couple yrs..they looked at me like ‘who are you’..pulled out my work badge I never updated photo and their jaw dropped..once again reminding me that truly ‘living a healthy lifestyle is best way to live’
2014..watch out
You are so inspiring in so many ways Marisa! I cannot wait to see you kill it in San Diego (so wish I could be there for a number of reasons!) and FAT has got nothin’ on you. I love that you have never updated your work badge b/c it’s a reminder of how far you have come with blood, sweat and tears…of joy! I’m looking forward to another year of us pushing ourselves just a little bit farther and then enjoying all the rewards. You are the epitome of healthy living and what someone can accomplish when they decide they CAN. Love you!
♡ u Allie :-)) My mentor & dearest friend! ..that means so much.
You can do this! You’re going to be great and awesome. Trying and failing is still moving forward. But you won’t fail. You’ll be so incredible that you’ll actually corral the bulls with your bike. 🙂
The boys will love you and will be your best friend until they are 13. Then again at 20. Stock up on Tylenol for the years not mentioned. LOL
You are the best advice giver of all time. Thank you for all that you wrote – I take it very much to heart my friend!!
Allie, there should be no reason to fear anything. Another word you should adopt is “faith”. Faith in yourself and your abilities. Faith in your training plan which has not failed you. Fear is healthy. It keeps us on our game. It keeps us from being over confident. I think fear makes us try harder.Take your fear and turn it into faith. With that you can achieve anything.
I love this so much. YES, I definitely could use a lot more faith. I think it will come when I’m deep in the trenches of training but I love the idea of starting to have some now! Thank you so much Kris.
What a year you’re gonna have Allie! I’m looking forward to following your adventures. Oh, and for the record- I still pick up my 12 year old – he will always be my baby and I never let him forget it!
That is fantastic! I needed to hear that about your son Dana – thank you, thank you!!!
This is incredible and you’re going to do amazingly. And you have a very large cheering section.
Having spent my last two days with my friends’ kids of all ages, I have seen many boys (up to age 11) still totally cuddling with their moms! Makes me hopeful. Des is very cuddly, but Scarlet wasn’t UNTIL she was four or so and now it seems to be just beginning.
“They” do say that boys love their moms so I’ll be clinging to that!! My boys are both very cuddly with me and are very much “mama’s boys” in a good way. I just never want it to end!
Thanks so much Tamara…for always being my cheerleader!
A perfect word for you. And I do hope you end up running with the bulls too- you’re certainly fast enough!
Ha ha! Thanks Kate but I’m not sure about that!!
You are going to rock this entire year!!! From the time I “met” you, I have thought that you are one of the strongest people I know and that there is NOTHING you can’t do!!! I am so very excited for you and all that you have coming up – especially your trip to Spain to show the world what you are capable of!!! (This will show those newspaper people who didn’t want to give the female winner any coverage!!!)
And – here’s something to look forward to as your babies grow up – my baby will turn 13 in April. He wants to celebrate by running a half marathon and he wants me to run with him (makes me cry every time I think about it – such an honor!)!!! He even used his own money to buy me a neon yellow shirt like all of his so that we could match when we run!!!
Happy 2014 – this is your year!!!
First of all, thank you so much for all your encouragement! It means so much to me, I can’t even tell you!! As for your son wanting to run his birthday half-marathon with you? AMAZING! It makes *me* cry so I can only imagine how you feel.
Sounds like the best is yet to come for me and my boys if they’re anything like yours. Can’t wait to hear all about that race (and everything you do) Kim. Happy New Year!
Oh my GOSH! I am SO excited that you decided to go to SPAIN! I am so thrilled for you!!
You are coming to NY? Maybe you me, Britt and a few other new yawkas can do lunch? Or we can workout too but I don’t know how your legs will be after the half!!
Sending my son to kindergarten is giving me the heebie jeebies. I can’t believe it! Where is all the time going?? Seriously?! Thanks for linking up you are certainly fearless!!
I think my work would be determined.
Thank you Nellie! I would LOVE to go to lunch with all of you!! I’m sure my legs will be shot but I can definitely SIT and EAT 🙂 We’ll have to plan it for sure.
I think Kindergarten is more scary for us moms. So crazy.
Determined is the perfect word for you! Love that.
Love that fearless energy bursting through this post! You will rock all of this. Such an exciting year in store. I can’t wait for the duathlon! I am going to be a bit late but I’m joining the one word rage bc my word popped in my head immediately after reading the first post yesterday. I ended 2013 creating balance but this year I’m aiming forthe ultimate balance in my life. Happy New Year!
So great! I cannot wait to see how you achieve ultimate balance this year. I look forward to learning from you my friend 🙂
Our one year blogging anniversary is in May too! Whoa – you have quite the year ahead. One of my words (I have two) for the year is FEARLESS. I have some big stuff I want to tackle but right now I am all like “it ain’t no big thang.” Let’s see how long that lasts!
That is too cool about our anniversaries! I was trying to be oh-so-cool about Spain but now it’s getting REAL. Can’t wait to see what you’re up to this year Tara 🙂
Talk about a big year ahead! I’m so excited for all of the amazing opportunities & milestones coming your way. No doubt you will rock all of your races. I always worry about my girls getting older, but then I love each new phase even more than the last. But, Pinterest?! That’s just plain crazy! I need to jump on the bandwagon & pick my word for 2014!
Ha ha!! Thanks so much Nicole. It’s going to be a BIG year for sure. I know what you mean about the different “stages” with the kids but I just miss my babies sometimes and don’t want all the cuddly cuteness to end. And yes, Pinterest is probably a bad idea but hey, I’ve had worse…and it’s better then Google +!
Hopefully it’s not the year of the BULLSHIT too!!!!!!! HA HA HA!
Oh GiGi you KNOW there will be plenty of that! It’s just another reason why it’s the perfect word for me 🙂
Girl, you are going to rock it hard in Spain! I would be happy to smack your shake you by the shoulders – although I am clearly not the person to come up with your training plan! Haha! And I am with you on fearlessness and looking at worst possible outcomes. I think the only thing left in this life that leaves me shaking in my boots is Pinterest. Can’t wait to see this all unfold for you! xo
You would be the perfect person to smack some sense into me!
Pinterest is terrifying. I keep putting it off.
“smack your face” that is…. 🙂
You are going to have an amazing time! And you will have a great race! We went to Spain years ago for a wedding…one of my husband’s good friends married a girl from Spain. We brought our 2 year old and 6 month old with us. Knowing very little Spanish and traveling around with two babies was enough to leave me a train wreck, but they were wonderful over there. They love children and treat them wonderfully in restaurants and everywhere! And for the most part people spoke English or enough for us to get by with our limited Spanish. It was a phenomenal trip!
Oh SO good to know! Thank you Michelle – that makes me feel a lot better. Also, my dad is 100% fluent in Spanish (it’s his first language) and he and my stepmom are coming so there’s that. I know it will all be fine but my anxiety is getting the best of me right now.
You are going to tear it up, F that…. another F word- FEARLESS. Just sayin’!!! Thanks for sharing, you my darlin’ are such an inspiration, I tell you that on like every post, you literally ROCK!!! XO. ~A~
Thank you so much Amber!! F that is right!! I never tire of hearing it so please continue 🙂
I always had a funny feeling in the pit of my stomach before every sprint triathlon I did but it gave me good nervous energy! I would love to travel internationally for a race! Wee bit jealous here. My word for 2014 is FOCUS and one of the things I’ll be focusing on is getting back into running shape after slacking off the past year… I haven’t run since I was three months pregnant, and my son is five months old, so you do the math!! I’m signed up for a 7 miler in my town in May.
Good luck!
~Nancy
Came over here from LOBS. I’m a newbie.
Welcome! LOBS is great and I will have to check you out there.
Love your word and it will absolutely help you stay on track. A race goal is a perfect motivator! Got get it!
So much ahead of you this year!!! I’m so excited for you Allie and I have a feeling you are going to have a kick ass year! And you know what? I’m running the NYC Half too! I entered on a lark because I was going to run with friends and of course, everyone else is injured or can’t do it or didn’t get in the lottery and I’m the one who got in. Figures with my luck! I would love to meet up! And I can’t wait for you to go to Spain and race.
Best news!!! We absolutely have to meet up before and after the race. See that? I thought I would be running “alone” and you’re now the second person I will know at the race. Beyond excited to meet you “for real” and thank you (as always) for your continuous words of encouragement and support.
Wow! What a year you have coming up indeed! I wish you the best of luck – I am sure you will do great!
Thank you so much! I’m trying to take it one day at a time…
Oh wow what a year to be fearless…and for some reason I believe you are going to achieve all of this…so exciting!! Good luck my friend…you are an inspiration!!
Thank you so much!! We shall see…
I love the word you chose for the year! Good luck and hope you achieve your goals. One of mine is to move out and that really scares me… but it’s a step I feel I need to take. I think I may use your be fearless mantra to help get me through that one.
Visiting from the SITS Sharefest. Happy Saturday!
Yes – be fearless! Good luck with everything and thanks for visiting from SITS 🙂
Good Luck!!! I hope everyone achieves their goals this year!
Me too! Cheers 🙂
It sounds like you have an amazing year on the cards 😀 I started running in the summer last year, so this year I’d really like to up my game on that, and hopefully do at least a half marathon if not a full one.
And good luck with the Spanish! I love languages, it’s always nice to have an excuse.
Half marathons are such a great distance and don’t take as much of a toll on your body or your time! Good luck as that is a GREAT goal!!
I can feel your energy and it is contagious. I actually picked a word about less doimg amd am now feeling quite lazy. ; ) that said I am registered for a glow run 5k in June -& got my family on board, so that”s something!
I love the idea of a family 5k! My husband just did his first one ever with me and it was so much fun. I can’t wait until my boys are old enough to join in.
Exciting year ahead, Allie!
My Dad used to say: It’s better to try and fail, than fail to try.
You can do this!
He is a genius! I’ll have to keep that in mind.
Thank you Alison!
Yay for NYC!!!!!! We are DEFINITELY having a sweat date! 🙂 I’m really pumped for your duathlon! I wish I could fly to Spain and cheer for you! We are going to have to come up with some way that we can all virtually cheer you on for this incredibly amazing race you are doing! Also, don’t worry boys always love their Moms the best.
Thanks so much Britt and YES we finally have the chance to meet – so very exciting!! I still want to come back and do a fitness tour with you and Nellie and Christine…the list goes on.
I wish you could be in Spain as well but you will absolutely be on my mind and in my head, pushing me toward the finish!