2018 in Review

Every year I send a holiday card. This was 2018’s. 

I closed 2018, the same way I closed 2017, at a candlelight Tula Hot Yoga Class that ended at mid-night, with a post-class ceremony to send our wishes into the universe. 

I don’t have a lot of ritual in my life, but I like this one. 

Sending Wishes for 2018 into the Universe

Fitness

Each year, I set health and fitness goals. This year was plagued by injuries. Turning 50 was hard on my body. I got the flu in March and coughed so much I either broke a rib or pulled an intercostal muscle. Either way, ouch! For weeks. Then, because I was stupid and did not cut back on my weight lifting appropriately, I pulled my rotator cuff and could not lift my right arm to shoulder level for more than a month. Then, I hit my glute on a rock while tubing on July 4th, but kept on running. Suddenly my hips and back were in inflamed agony. Now, 6 months later, after working with a DO (in Denver I recommend Maria Gentile), a massage therapist (in Denver I recommend Juan Canas), and a monthly float at Easy Float, I’ve finally almost undone the injuries I did to my hips and psoas, because I’m a stubborn fool.

In spite of the injuries, my training schedule was pretty consistent:

• Weight training (AM) – Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• Evening Hot Yoga (PM)- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday -160 classes this year for a total of 239 hours!
• Run (AM) – Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, (Sunday)
• Races – 2 x half-marathons; 1 x 10 k – personal bests for the 10 k and one of the half-marathons

I anticipate similar fitness programming for 2019. My primary fitness goal for 2019 is simply injury free movement. Of course, I still want to get stronger, stay lean, get faster, and demonstrate effortlessness and flexibility in my yoga! I may add some more biking, swimming or hiking, but the core training schedule (lift, yoga, run) with a race or two will likely be the same. 

Continuing Education

Continuing Education, like exercise, is a constant in my life. I like learning new things, and several of my professional certifications require continuing education.

• Completed Level 2 Precision Nutrition Coaching Certification – daily homework for a year. 20+ case studies and I added 10 clients to help with the case studies. This program was equivalent to any graduate level course I did towards my PhD. Unlike the Level 1 Certification, most of the emphasis was on the coaching side vs. the nutrition component. If nothing else, I am a better human for this experience. And I’m 100% motivated (and have the tools) to help someone else achieve their goals. Sure it could be a fitness goal, but the curriculum is generic enough, that the framework could be applied to just about anything.
• Project Management Professional (PMP): Another 20+ hours of continuing education. 
• Certified Salesforce Administrator. Every new release there is an exam. It never ends. This year I completed: 
  • Salesforce Certified Administrator – Winter ‘18 Release Exam
  • Salesforce Certified Administrator – Spring ‘18 Release Exam
  • Salesforce Certified Administrator – Summer ‘18 Release Exam
  • Salesforce Certified Administrator – Winter ‘19 Release Exam

Icarus-Rising Nutrition Consulting

My big side project this year was promoting my nutrition coaching services. I started the year with a cohort of 10 volunteers. Only three successfully completed a full year of coaching with great results. I ended up writing a manifesto about readiness for the program. Let me know if you are interested. No risk. First 30 days are free. Start any Monday. Cancel at any time. 

Books

Once upon a time I had thousands of physical books, and would read about a book per day, often rereading my favorites ones (mostly fiction – sci-fi or fantasy). Now, almost all of my books live on the Kindle, and I read in stolen moments or on long flights. In spite of that, here are a few I read this year, worth reading. I miss fiction but these are nice and chewy.

• Atomic Habits by James Clear or at least go read James Clear‘s Blog
• Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – or read Mark Manson’s Blog
• Self-Compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself – Kristin Neff
• How will your measure your life – Clayton Christensen
• Conscious Coaching: The Art and Science of Building Buy-In – Brett Bartholomew

Travel

Travel is still one my priorities and pleasures. This year was was heavily focused on family – a visit to see my brother, 2 family weddings, and two visits to see my mom.

I went to:

• Seattle – February – cold and rainy. Visited the original Starbucks. 
• Maui, twice – March and December – my birthday and my niece’s wedding. Great to see family. The sunsets are always fantastic.   
• New Jersey, twice – May and December – my cousin’s wedding and a holiday visit to see my mom
• NYC – as a tourist in August- which in spite of growing up in NJ, I’d never done.
• Road Trip – September –  Los Angeles to Denver
• Santorini & Mykonos in October with the worst travel company ever (Acanela) – Let me sum up – feral cats abound; there are more donkeys than men; there is every type of phallus shaped souvenir; and amazing feta at every meal. Vistas are majestic. Postcard perfect. 
• Joshua Tree – November – I love the barren vistas and the Joshua Trees.