One Word for 2024

January 2, 2024 by 8 Comments

Happy New Year!

Jenn and Zenaida are inviting everyone to share their word for the year for this week’s Tuesday Topics link-up. The practice of picking one word as a theme for the year is something I’ve been doing since 2015. Past choices have included Thrive, Progress, Belief, Brave, Intentional, Curate, Mindset, Emerge, and Cultivate.

I love to see which word others have selected! After reading here, be sure to check out what others are sharing!

Better — (v) to improve on or surpass an existing or previous level of achievement

“Better” is not “perfect” or “best” – it reminds me that I am a work in progress and to let go of both perfectionism and comparison. To me “better” also means never stop learning – to approach life with a “beginner’s mind”. It also means, don’t settle.

In 2024, I’m seeking a better balance between work and home life; better self-care; better health and fitness; and better connections.

Have you picked a word for the year?

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Filed Under: one word, Tuesday Topics

One Word for 2023

January 3, 2023 by 11 Comments

Kim and Zenaida have invited everyone to share their word for the year for this week’s Tuesday Topics link-up. I love to see which word others have selected! (After reading here, be sure to check out what others are sharing!).

I have picked one word to serve as the theme for the year since 2015. Past choices have included Thrive, Progress, Belief, Brave, Intentional, Curate, Mindset, and Emerge. For 2023, my word is Cultivate.

Cultivate — to promote growth or development; to devote oneself to; to give special attention

This word will serve as a good reminder to intentionally invest in the things that matter most – family, friends, fun, and my physical and mental well-being – and, to say no to the things that don’t.

Have you picked a word for the year?

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Filed Under: one word, Tuesday Topics

My Word for 2022

January 4, 2022 by 26 Comments

For this week’s Tuesday Topics link-up,  Kim and Zenaida have invited everyone to share their word for the year (after reading here, be sure to check out what others are sharing!).

This practice of picking “one word” to serve as the theme for the year started for me in 2015. Past choices have included Thrive, Progress, Belief, Brave, Intentional, Curate, and last year’s Mindset.

For 2022, my word is Emerge.

Emerge — to manifest, to come into view or notice; to rise up.

Do you pick one word for the year? My word for 2022 #TuesdayTopics #Emerge #QuietOptimism Share on X

I have a quiet optimism about this year and am ready to step into some new challenges.

Have you picked a word for the year?

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Filed Under: one word, Tuesday Topics

My Word for 2021

January 5, 2021 by 24 Comments

Since 2015, I have chosen one word for the year. A word to serve as a “theme” or guide for the year ahead. In most years since I have started this practice, I have settled on a word fairly quickly. But this time around, it took a little longer.

Mindset – a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations.

So much about 2020 really threw me off my game. I felt like I spent a great deal of time reacting and dealing with the negative energy of others. Whether it was related to the pandemic, the racial unrest, or the election on a large scale, or to my job or watching some “friends” reveal their true colors on social media on a more personal level, the year was often an emotional roller coaster, leaving me feeling depleted. In selecting Mindset as my word for this year, it serves as a reminder to me that while I cannot control outside forces, I do have control over the energy I allow in and how I choose to respond.

What's your word for 2021? Focusing on my #Mindset #oneword #tuesday topics Share on X

Have you picked a word for the year?

I’m linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up.

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Filed Under: one word, Tuesday Topics

Coffee Time 2020

January 3, 2020 by 28 Comments

Happy New Year!

I hope 2020 is starting off right for you! I’m joining Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date, so grab a mug of your fave hot beverage and let’s chat a little.

Ultimate Coffee Date – January 2020

Over coffee, I would tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed the holidays! The time off from work was so needed and I fully embraced having everyone home under one roof. We cooked a lot, caught some movies (Jumanji & Star Wars), saw The Nutcracker, had some cutthroat games of Risk and Monopoly, spent time with extended family, and generally just enjoyed hanging out.

Over coffee, I would tell you that returning to work was crazy hard – like “I want no part of this” hard.

Some changes in career plans may be in order….

Over coffee, I would tell you that I always try to use the downtime to reflect and start to set some goals for the new year. And, as part of this process, I pick one word as the theme for my year across all areas of my life  – and this year my word is Curate. It feels like a perfect extension from last year’s word, Intentional.

I love that my husband surprised me with a custom Motivation Wrap!

What would you tell me over coffee? Did you enjoy the holidays? Do you pick one word for the year?

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Filed Under: one word, Ultimate coffee date

New Year’s Ultimate Coffee 2019

January 4, 2019 by 25 Comments

Happy New Year!

Catching up with friends over a big mug of coffee sounds like a great way to help kick off this new year so I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the first Ultimate Coffee Date of 2019!

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I really enjoyed the holidays. It was great family time and I loved having the Christmas week off from work. While I did race around a bit like a chicken with my head cut off the week prior, the holiday week I was able to totally kick back and relax, and I did my best to soak up every moment of the downtime.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that having the time off has left me craving for a “real” vacation. We didn’t take a family vacation last year, but I’ve already got my sights set on the boys’ spring break time in March – now the question is where to go?

If we were having coffee, I would also tell you that I took advantage of the downtime to also reflect on the past year and start to set some goals for 2019. For the past few years, I’ve picked one word as the theme for my year across all areas of my life  – and this year my word is Intentional. With the “busy-ness” of life it is too easy to move through the days on autopilot and before you know it days…or weeks have just flown by. My ultimate goal is to be more intentional in the habits I form, in my career choices, in my home life…I think you get the picture.

My 2019 Fitness/Running Goals:

  • Run a marathon — This was top of my list last year, but was derailed first by family schedules and secondly by injury. But I’ve got my sights firmly locked in on Chicago and know with Coach Marc’s help I will reach that starting line ready to take on 26.2!
  • Stay off injured-reserve — This will encompass a variety of things including consistent “pre-hab”, strength training 2x’s/week, and continuing to incorporate the Chi Running focuses Coach Marc has me working on. I also think Marc will keep me from powering through when I should be backing off.
  • Make sleep a priority —  I am a notoriously bad sleeper and when things get crazy, sleep can easily get pushed to the bottom of my list. My goal is to do a much better job of going to bed early and not falling asleep while watching late night TV on the couch.
  • Mind what I’m eating — While tracking my macros during the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program, I realized just how little protein I’ve been consuming. I don’t plan to continue to actively track my macros (though never say never), I will continue to be mindful of upping my protein intake.
Sharing goals over coffee #oneword #livingintentionally #yearofthemarathon Share on X

So what would you tell me over coffee? Have you set any goals for the new year?

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Filed Under: goals, one word, Ultimate coffee date

One word and 2018 Goals

January 2, 2018 by 23 Comments

I love the energy of a new year! Hopes are high and all things are possible!

If you’ve been around here for awhile then you know I’m a big goal setter. 2017 proved to be a challenging year for my fitness and running goals as I spent most of the year in what seemed like a continual cycle of injury and recovery. As a result, my training was derailed and I only ran one race for the whole year! Once I finally took the big step back I needed, stopped trying to train and gave myself all the time I needed to heal I was finally able to turn the corner. I finished the year feeling good and excited for what 2018 will bring!

One word for 2018.

For the past few years, I’ve picked one word as the theme for my year across all areas of my life  – and this year’s word is “Brave.” Personally, professionally, and in my running, I want to stretch beyond my comfort zone.

2018 Running Goals.

  • Run a marathon — This is something I’ve wanted to do for a while and have always come up with a reason to talk myself out of it. But this is the year to take on 26.2! I haven’t settled on which one yet – that’s a post for another day. I do know it will be a fall race so I can give myself ample time to get ready.
  • Improve my nutrition —  This is a carryover from last year. I need to identify the right fueling strategy for my runs and do a much better job giving my body what it needs post-run. I’m participating in Laura’s Fit and Fueled Nutrition course for runners which will give me a great start here!
  • Be consistent with strength training and cross training — When I look back on when I’ve had great running years, one thing is clear – I’m not someone who can just run. I need to balance my running with both strength work and cross-training if I’m going to stay injury-free and make it to the starting line.
  • Return to racing — I really missed the whole experience of participating in races last year. Beyond a marathon, I’m looking forward to running other distances, being a part of the Rock ‘n’ Blog team, and hopefully some blogger meet-ups.
Setting goals for 2018 #bebrave #yearofthemarathon #oneword Share on X

Rohn Quote

Have you set your goals for 2018?

I’m linking up with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run, where the theme today is, of course, goals. I can’t wait to see what others are planning for this year!

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Filed Under: #RocknBlog, #yearofthemarathon, goals, one word

One word and 2017 goals

January 3, 2017 by 20 Comments

I love this time of year when everyone and everything seems full of possibilities. It’s a great time of reflection and for looking ahead and considering all that can be done in the next 365 (ok 362) days!

Looking back I did pretty good with my 2016 goals. Of the 5 goals I set: Returning to half marathons; Setting a half marathon PR; Losing 12 pounds; Continuing my strength program; and, actively managing my recovery – setting a PR was the only area I fell short. (In full disclosure I lost 9 lbs and consider that a win!) Best of all, my love for running returned!

So what lies ahead for 2017? For the last couple of years I’ve picked one word as the theme for my year, and this year’s word is “Belief.” Across all areas of my life, I want to be driven by belief in what is possible, and not limited by fear or self-doubt.

So, now for my fitness/running goals:

  • Mix up the distances — Last year I was very focused on getting back to the half marathon distance. This year, I’d like to mix it up more – training & racing different distances will keep me challenged both mentally and physically.
  • Find some speed  — I cannot expect to PR or just improve my times without pushing the pace. I have given the RC coaches the green light to push me out of my comfort zone.
  • Improve my nutrition —  I struggled with finding the right fuel for my runs. I also often didn’t do a great job of giving my body what it needed both pre or post run. Time to change this!
  • More strength — I love working with Trainer Stacy and made no secret last year that sometimes my time in the gym rivaled my time on the road. I’ve got great momentum here and want to keep it going.
  • Have fun! — 2016 was about recapturing the joy of running and above all else I want that to continue.  More blogger meet ups, more family running, more runs with friends – more fun 🙂
Belief and Goals for 2017! #oneword365 #goals #runchat #bibchat Share on X

Have you set your goals for 2017?

rp_Tuesdays-on-the-run-150x150.jpgIf you need inspiration, check out today’s Tuesdays on the Run link-up with Erika, Marcia and Patty and see what others are planning.

Also linking with Rachel, Meranda and Lacey who are talking all about goals for this week’s Friday Five.

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Filed Under: Friday Five, goals, one word

Running Uneasy

April 5, 2016 by 20 Comments

So for this week’s Tuesdays on the Run, Erika, Marcia & Patty are asking everyone to share one word that describes your running lately. I’ll be very interested to see what words are chosen….

My word?  Uneasy.

According to Dictionary.com,

  1. not easy in body or mind; uncomfortable; restless; disturbed; perturbed.
  2. not easy in manner; constrained; awkward.
  3. not conducive to ease; causing bodily discomfort.

Yep…”not easy in body or mind…uncomfortable…not conducive to ease…” that pretty much sums up my running right now.

View from the top

Most of my runs lately have been a struggle … I’m feeling restless that I’m not making as much progress as I’d like. But Saturday’s run…in wind-swept rain, no less, gave me a much needed boost. Let’s hope this is the beginning of a trend.

What one word would you use to describe your running? #TOTR #runchat Share on X

What one word would you pick?

Be sure to head over to the link-up and see what others had to say.

Tuesdays revised

 

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Filed Under: one word, tough runs, Tuesdays on the Run

One Word and Goals for 2016

January 5, 2016 by 21 Comments

As I mentioned before, I’m not much for resolutions, but I do like to set goals. So in and around the fun family time of the holidays, I did find some quiet time to reflect on 2015 and set some goals for 2016. I even got my boys in on the act, as each of them wrote out some goals for the year!

And, as I did last year, I’m once again picking one word…kind of a “theme” to tie the many goals for the different areas of my life together. This year my word is “Progress.”

Progress word cloud

So, now for my fitness/running goals:

  • Return to half marathons — Thanks to injury and generally my body having other plans, I haven’t run a half marathon since 2013! I’ve already got two halfs I’m registered for and am eyeing a couple more for the fall.
  • Set half marathon PR  — I figure since I am returning to this distance, I might as well go for a PR, right?
  • Lose 12 pounds — there I said it! With the running hiatus that dominated last fall, more than a few pounds have happened – if being fitter and faster is the goal, then these pounds need to go.
  • Continue my strength program — I had started a great program with the trainer last year that  got sidelined with my surgery, but I’m back at it now and know how important it is to stick with it. I need to give as much attention to strength work as I do to logging miles.
  • Actively manage recovery – This was a goal on my 2015 list that I think bears repeating – I cannot just run and then rush off to the next thing. I need to give time to rolling, Epsom salt baths, etc.

strive-for-progress-not-perfection

Have you set your goals for 2016?

rp_Tuesdays-on-the-run-150x150.jpgIf you need inspiration, check out today’s Tuesdays on the Run link-up with Erika, Marcia and Patty and see what others are planning.

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Filed Under: goals, one word