I would be hard pressed to forget mine and my Year of the BULL since I’ve been training like a maniac for one of my biggest goals – the World Championship Duathlon in Spain. I also post a weekly Rundown as a way to recap, remind and stay on track. However, when Melissa at TheValentineRD reminded me that our first quarter check-in was due, I couldn’t even really remember what I wrote.
Luckily everything you put out here will be here forever, so after a very quick search, I was able to see what my silly self wrote back in January about all that laid ahead. I say “silly” because I sound absolutely petrified about my goals and, so far, I have achieved some and none of my fears have come to fruition. Imagine that.
If you would be so kind as to take a trip with me down memory lane to a few months ago when I wrote these, and find out what has transpired since. It seems the only constant from January to the present is the weather. Frigid!
GOAL ONE:
Run the NYC Half marathon like a boss! CHECK
Fear: Not knowing anyone, getting injured and not having previously run the course
Outcome: I met some friendly faces, I fought off a cold in the days leading up to the race but was injury free, not knowing the course beforehand was refreshing and amazing and I nailed a time of 1:29.
Running through Times Square was ah-maze-ing!
GOAL TWO:
Turning 39 and having a positive outlook! CHECK
Fear: My thirties have been so wonderful and the thought of only having one more year in this decade is sad and scary. My mom was undergoing aggressive chemotherapy at the same age in her life and, at times, I let this fear get the best of me.
Outcome: My 39th birthday was a three-day celebration of LIFE! I have zero bad feelings about being 39 (other than being at the top of my age group in races!) and I had so much fun eating, drinking and spending time with my friends and family. I can choose to use the memories, courage and strength of my mom while battling cancer, to help me live my life to the very fullest every.damn.day.
GOAL THREE:
Learning to let go a little every year as my boys turn five. HALF CHECK
Fear: Miles and Vaughn are officially little boys and no longer babies or toddlers. This makes me feel old and sad because I want to hang on to them needing me and cuddling with me as much as they once did.
Outcome: My boys love me no matter what and they always will. They need to achieve some things all on their own – to grow up and go to Kindergarten and explore and discover. My job is to help them and be here when they wander back home. I gave myself a “half check” because most days I want to smother them and keep them home with me…possibly put them in veal-like cages so they can’t grow up. What? I may be watching too much Hannibal.
I should have known it was over the moment they learned to stand!
GOAL FOUR:
Learn Spanish so when I go to Spain I can interact with the natives. FAIL
It would be so boring and obnoxious if I met all my goals already, right? So – here ya go – I pretty much failed at my attempt to learn a new language in five months. My excuse? Time. Yes, I know it’s a very poor one and if one of my personal training clients gave me that lame ass answer I would say “You need to make time if it’s truly important to you” so guess what? It’s not. Luckily my dad speaks fluent Spanish, and he’s traveling with us, so I don’t have to worry too much about it. However, I can forget about having a conversation with Pitbull. Unless we’re speaking in dance!
GOAL FIVE:
Join Pinterest CHECK
This was not scary at all and I have 100 followers after three months. I’m going to say that’s good considering I don’t spend that much time out there! I enjoy pinning other people’s stuff so I can go back to it when I have time to read it, and I think that’s the whole point of Pinterest so…if you’re not one of the 100, please follow me HERE!
GOAL SIX:
Take my blog/writing to the next level CHECK QUARTER CHECK
I actually managed to get a freelance writing job for fitbie.com! You can check out all my articles under the tab “Fitbie Articles” on this blog. Genius, I know. I’m also speaking (and attending) my very first blog conference – FitBloggin – at the end of June.
Maybe I should give this a “quarter check” since there’s so much more I want to do with my writing. Now that I think about it, I’m not even close to reaching my goal on this one. Damn you Melissa! Why did you make me think so much about my goals?
[Tweet “It’s time to check in on those #resolutions! Link-up with @mburton0214”]
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Loading InLinkz ...How are your goals coming along? Don’t give me that “I didn’t have a resolution” because you know you had at least one thing in mind so SPILL!
I know 0 spanish but I’ll totally learn and go with you to Spain!
That makes two of us! Somehow I think we would manage just fine in Spain with zero Spanish 🙂
I think you are doing very well in your goals. I wanted to read a lot more this year ( I think I said 6 books this year?). I rocked January – I read 3! And now I haven’t picked up a book in 2 months….
Speaking to Pitbull in dance. Haha! The universal language!
I didn’t even attempt a book reading goal because I know I would fail. I read so many blogs that, by the end of the day (if I have time!) I just want to watch TV 🙂
Way to rock your goals in the first quarter of the year! And, don’t worry, I’m sure Pitbull would strike up a conversation with you in any language, you hot tamale!
Oh you are far too kind my friend! Thanks Nicole.
I truly didn’t make any goals, but picked the one word in “Balance” for this year for myself and am trying. I have my good days on this and some days I have my bad. Guess I am a work in progress. But my hat is totally off to you and you truly accomplished so much here in such a short time. And I may need some advice on letting go as Emma turns 5 in July. Really still can’t believe she will be in Kindergarten in the fall. We may need to hold each other’s hand on this one, because I definitely have a range of emotions on this for sure.
Balance is so elusive for me! It’s a great word though because it’s important to at least keep it in mind.
As for kindergarten – oh so many emotions. We can definitely have a little pity party come September.
I should check back in with my goals, too. I used to do it monthly, but that’s slipped. Congrats on the freelance articles, and the Fitbloggin speaking gig! I wanted to go to Fitbloggin again but it’s a little too close to my due date. Next time, I hope!
I’m truly bummed you won’t be at FitBloggin. Maybe we’ll meet up at a race before another year passes!
You’ve done really really well with all your resolutions. Well done! One of mine was to run 1,000 miles this year (and actually keep track). So far so good!
That is fantastic! Good for you.
LOL you might want to change the channel.. ‘¡no mas Hannibal!’
Congrats on achieving your goals!!
I just checked out fitbie, I enjoyed reading ‘Scary Truths..’
http://www.fitbie.com/2014/03/12/scary-truth-about-latest-trendy-weight-loss-surgery?blog_cat=juice-bar
You know my resolution…we shall see, time & recovery will tell.
Bawhahaha seriously that show completely freaks me out…but I keep watching!
Fitbie is very cool. There’s LOTS of great stuff out there. Thanks for checking it out 🙂
Sounds like you’re doing great to me! I need to go back and take a look at mine!
Thanks Michelle. The first rule in goal setting is to have them small and attainable right? HA HA
I’ve gotta say well done! You’re jamming with the goals.
The letting go with the kids thing…it’s really hard. And it gets harder as they get older and really need to spread their wings. But somehow we all find a middle ground.
On the Spanish, well, just be the ugly American and expect everyone to speak English and cater to you. (totally kidding, I hope that translates!)
Thanks Amanda. The kid thing is definitely a life long goal/challenge. It’s helpful to know that every mom goes though this same difficult process!
Yes, that absolutely translates and I was just saying something like that the other day…
You’re doing an amazing job at meeting your goals. Maybe that’s the key, forget them and just live your life, then look back and see that you’ve met many of them after all.
YES! I think anything that is a truly important goal will naturally happen. You have to just live your life and see what you can really do when you’re not putting a ton of pressure on yourself!
I love reading about all your goals! I am so impressed with everything you are accomplishing! Way to go Allie! 🙂
I’m linking up tomorrow but I chose to do it a little different this year and focus on reader goals rather than my own. This year is a little bit more of a take-it-as-it-comes year rather than a goal oriented year and I’m ok with that!
There is so much to love about that Britt! I cannot wait to read all about it.
Veal-like cages? I’m sure that will be the best line I hear all day. I think you’ve done a great job with your goals so far, Allie. I did not write any goals down, so I’m doing an AWESOME job meeting mine!
Congratulations!!
So glad you liked that line and it didn’t come off as wildly creepy. You so get me 🙂
You’re totally rocking your resolutions! Muy bien!!! 🙂
Very funny Kate. Gracias!
Great update with you goals! Mine are coming along pretty well! My real goal is finishing my first half marathon which I think I am on my way. My second is to get BACK into awesome shape which will take a little more time than I would like.
You are well on your way to that half-marathon. Because you’re building all these healthy habits, your second goal will not be too far off.
Wow!! You have done an incredible job with your resolutions/goals!!! At this rate you are going to have to pick more in June or July!!
I didn’t have resolutions but I did have a list of things to do this year. Out of 7 I’ve done ok on 2. I have been working really hard on growing our business – I’ve branded out and put myself really out there to try some new things.
I have also been a bit more experimental in the kitchen.
One huge fail – live every day to the full. In the winter I tend to go into hibernation and I miss out on things sometimes because I just don’t want to get out in the cold!!!
Thanks Kim!! I really wasn’t thinking much past my big race as far as goals, so that’s why I’m looking so good at this point! Is there life after this race? 🙂
That is so great about your business. Putting yourself out there and trying new things are NEVER easy so give yourself a ton of credit for that. As for living it up? You just need to do double once the sun finally comes out.
you have done fantastic so far!! I love it. You already know that I am having trouble transitioning my big boy but I love the way you put it, let them explore and be there for them when they come back home. perfect. I think you will be okay in Spain without spanish…isn’t english a universal language? 🙂 My goals are coming along–I’ve done like 2 out of the 7 things. 🙂
Two out of seven is fantastic! My goals were pretty much set up until Spain so, I think I’m going to have to reorganize my brain once it’s over.
Thanks Nellie!
This is so cool! I’m so with you on the kid(s) turning five thing. It’s hard for me, but I’ll just remember that Des and now Athena will drive me crazy for years to come.
And learning a new language just sounds too insane for me!
My resolution for 2014 is to see moose, so I think we can still do it! It’s mostly a thing for spring/summer/fall. They hide away in the winter. Kinda like me!
The moose hunt is alive and well!! I can’t wait until you capture it on film…many times over, hopefully.
FAIL! You FAIL at Spanish! Now go sit yo’self in the corner!!
(haha, just kidding, gurrrl)
Yes, I should be punished. *hangs head in shame on way to corner*
Just don’t forget where you left me…
Look at you!! YOU ARE ON FIRE WITH THESE!! How could you POSSIBLY have EVERY SINGLE ONE done at this point? It would be impossible…but you are very close! I think you should give yourself a total check on number six. Number 3 will always be a work in progress until your boys are grown with kids of their own! That really just leaves 4 and your dad will be with you so….who cares!! You are good!!. (and Pitbull will totally speak with you in the language of dance when the time comes!) I’m so impressed with you!! –Lisa
Thank you so much Lisa!! I really can’t see passed my big race in May so these are like half-year goals. I will definitely need to set some new ones called “Life After the RACE!”
Wow, you are killing the resolutions! Those photos of your boys when they were little and now – oof, I totally understand the quick consideration of a veal cage. How does it happen so quickly? You rocked that half marathon and you’ll rock the duathlon as well. 🙂 Oh and now I’m following you on Pinterest.
Thanks Carly! I followed you back 🙂
I think you’ve done GREAT for just 3 months!
Thanks Alison! I’ll be setting some new goals after the big race, but right now that’s my main focus.
I could not love you any more than I do! Thank you for the shout outs girl!
I love that you’re honest about your feelings about not only growing older yourself but about the boys. My heart breaks a little when I realize that my baby isn’t a baby at all. All those times when I “need” to do something and he wants my attention or a hug, I have to remind myself that soon he won’t want to do any of those things and it’s hard.
I’m so happy for your blog (and Pinterest!) success. I can’t wait to see you speak at FitBloggin’!!
Of course!
Yes, the heartbreak of the little men getting older is sometimes too much. I try to remind myself of the same thing when I’m brushing them off for something “more important!”
Cannot wait until FitBloggin….but I may see you sooner in NYC 🙂
Hi Allie – I wanted to welcome you to the Let’s Get Real party. I’m glad you’re hosting with us this week.
Thank you so much!! This is my first time doing something like this and it’s so great to meet and hook up with new bloggers.
Ah, it is all too easy to forget those goals we set so very long ago. 🙂
I love your attitude towards turning 39. You offer a positive perspective for women coming in years behind you.
Visiting from Let’s Get Real.
Thanks so much and thanks for stopping by and reading 🙂
So much better to be positive about getting older since it’s inevitable!
It sounds like you are doing really well with your goals! Even though you “failed” to learn Spanish, I think it would be tough to learn a language in 5 months (but I’d be mighty impressed if you did!), and you have already accomplished so much in 3 months. Congrats!
Thanks Bev! Clearly the Spanish proved to be too much. And, once this race has passed, I need to set more goals 🙂
You are amazing Allie! You set goals and work towards them. You are a powerful force and a wonderful example for your children. I have 4 kids and I keep thinking that maybe one of them will listen to me when I tell them they should stay little forever. Alas, none of them have listened to me. My oldest is 21 and my youngest is turning 7. I can’t even believe it. My old lady advice (I’m 44) is that each age is so much fun. I love them at every age. It is quite a journey. Enjoy every minute of it………I know you will.
Thank you so much Christina! That is fantastic advice. I cannot believe you have four kids and are living to tell about it. Good for you!!
This is great Allie. I am turing 39 this year and I’m not sure how I feel about it yet. I love that you celebrated with family and friends for 3 days. That’s an amazing way to celebrate. Your boys are adorable. I have three children and they grow up so quickly.
I enjoyed reading your goals. I didn’t make any resolutions but want to become a more active runner ( I have a 5k tomorrow), learn Dutch (still working on it for over a year but still have made little progress), and to get more active with the kids (I’m getting there).
Happy early Birthday! You should definitely celebrate the fact that you have three kids, you’re pursuing running and learning Dutch!? What’s not to celebrate? 🙂 I have to say you made me feel a lot better saying it’s taken you over a year to learn (and are still learning) a new language. I’m trying to learn Spanish for my trip in May and failing miserably! Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
You’ve inspired me to do a similar post! I wrote out a huge list of goals back in January (linked up) but I really should revisit them quarterly like you have. Great job with your goals and thanks for inspiring me to check up on myself!
Absolutely! I can’t wait to read yours.
Hi there! I found you through a super thoughtful comment you made on Tamara’s guest post on my blog Loving Marshall. I really identify with your struggle to let your boys be more independent. I have one–he’s 3–and it is a daily fight not to smother him. I think part of this is due to my early mother loss. I just don’t want to miss anything!
I’m so impressed with your running. My husband is a serious runner as well–I’m really slow–and it’s inspiring to see your dedication! Have a great weekend. 🙂
I’m so happy to see you here! I definitely think a lot of the smothering is due to losing my mom when I was young. I also tend to keep journals about almost everything they do…just in case.
So cool that you’re husband is a runner too. And, it doesn’t matter how fast you are, as long as you’re out there! Thanks again for visiting my space 🙂
Sounds like you’re doing really great with your new years resolutions!! And yeah, it would have been nice to be able to speak Spanish in Spain but learning a language is no easy task–and having your dad around sounds like a good back up plan!
Luckily, I have him to fall back on! I like to think I would have been more dedicated if I had no back-up plan. I’ll never know…
Thanks 🙂
Umm… Holy cow. You rock. If we get to choose out Zombie Apocalypse teams, I’m picking you for our runner.
Ha ha ha – sounds like a plan! Thanks.
Well, I don’t know what you’re afraid of- you’re doing an awesome job! 🙂 What an experience you have ahead of you! Very cool. Thanks for co-hosting with us this week!
Thanks so much Nicole! I had a great time doing this with all of you!
I think your doing great, as for me.. Well I’m trying to get a move on. I’m stopping by from SITS & I hope you’ve had a great weekend.
Thanks so much for stopping by!