New age group debut.

Thanksgiving happened to be my 40th birthday this year.  I had no problem when I turned 30.  But 40 was a bit more intimidating.  I can't even pinpoint why, but it was.  I wasn't looking forward to it.  I guess the good news is that the first thing out of peoples mouth is surprise.  I struggle with comparing myself to some of my favorite bloggers .. which is really silly because I'm a good 10+ years OLDER than pretty much all of them.

It's become a bit of a tradition to participate in the Thankful 13 event here in Utah.  It's one of the few events that run this late in the year and the only half marathon distance that falls into the Turkey Trot category.  Plus there are no buses involved which means no super early wake up call.  The night before arrived and I regretfully set my alarm for what I thought was the latest possible time but still enough to arrive with time to spare.  Alas, I forgot how LONG my husband takes in the mornings.  Unlike me he doesn't get all his gear together the night before.  So while he's pooping and yelling at everyone because he can't find his stuff (not at the same time), I'm getting quickly irritated because he's going to make us late.  We needed to drop the kids at my parents still and I was STRESSED!

     Sunrise over the Wasatch Mountains.

 We were blessed with a beautiful sunrise as we drove up to my parents.  Quickly dumped the kids and were back in the car racing down to Thanksgiving Point.  To be honest I've had issues every year with this race series.  Historically they run out of medals as well as the correct size shirt that you ordered with your registration.  This year however this wasn't a problem.  We literally arrived with five minutes to spare.  Threw our gear on and walked down to the starting line.  I don't think there were as many people as last year.  Within minutes we were off.  This was to be a training run for us.  I wanted to have a pace right around 10:30.  My husband likes to go out fast and it was cold so I was anxious to warm up.

It wasn't long before I heard what sounded like a stampede of horses coming up behind me.  As I turned my head I saw that it was actually a group from a National Guard running in their combat boots, carting along flags with them.

So. Cool.

My husband can be pretty funny sometimes.  At one point we were approaching a team of military folks.  My husband goes on to thank them for their service and pass comment on my lack of American citizenship. I reminded him that although I'm not an American I am British and by definition one of America's closest allies.

     Another look at those Wasatch Mountains. 

We were not spoiled for views along the course.  The course itself was about the same as last year.  As we passed through the 5 mile mark we picked up a couple GU's.  I always bring my own, just because I'm used to races running out.  I think I'll always be finishing in the back half of the pack and that always means provisions can be questionable.  But when they're available I pick up a couple since that's what I feel like I pay for as part of my registration.  When we came back through the same aid station on the return trip they were out. So I was glad we got some when we could because we would have been hurting on that back half otherwise.  I felt strong until the last mile.  It's solid uphill and a killer.  At that point I was tired and Jeramie was starting to race ahead a bit.  I just didn't have the gas in me to race uphill at the end.

We finished with a solid time however.

Finish Time:  2:16:56

Age Group:  34/70

Average Pace:  10:29 (SPOT ON)

As we approached the finishers chute we saw our oldest son with my Dad and he jumped in and ran the rest of the way with me.  

My outfit was pretty perfect for the weather conditions.  It was in the 40's. My legs had been a little chilly early on but I was comfortable most of the time.

                                      #fortyisfabulous 

Jackson came down with my Dad and they ran/walked the 5k.  Jackson surprised my dad by running a good 2/3 of the course.  So I'm excited to sign up for another and RUN the whole thing together.  I totally think he could do it!  Maybe even pick up an age group medal!  Sailor (my mum's dog) raced with them as well.  So proud of this guy!  He's already excited to do it again.

     Love this family of mine.

We went on to spend the day with my family.  Stuff our faces full of turkey and then Mum and I hit up Target and Walmart for a little pre-Black Friday shopping.

I absolutely LOVE getting up and knocking out some decent mileage before the Thanksgiving Day activities begin.  Overall I would totally recommend this race to any locals.  It's not a "big" race with "big race" frills.  I think the post race goodies are lacking.  However, I also think Pumpkin Pie is disgusting and therefore do not see that as a fun post race treat.  My husband would tell you otherwise!

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Would you race on Thanksgiving morning?

Do you like Pumpkin Pie?

Do you pick up "your share" of race fuel?

Accountability Monday

I wish I could come up with a clever catch phrase for this post, I'm at a loss however.  It's Monday and I want to start recapping my previous weeks workouts on Monday's.  So here goes.  This week really kind of sucked in all sorts of ways.

Workouts

Monday
Plan:  3m Easy run + Yoga
Actual:  3miles, 10:40 avg pace
Treadmill, 1%

I had the day off work.  It was supposed to be a nice way to get a jump start on the week. However, in the early AM hours I was dealing with a barfing 6 year old.  As such I didn't sleep well at all.  I was up again at 6:15am to get Baylee off to school, back to bed.  Up again at 7:25am to get the boys off to school, back to bed.  I then slept away my morning.  When I woke up I had a text message from my mum that she'd decided to tell her bully boss to shove it and was now out of work.  This turned into lunch with my mum which got me back home barely in time to meet the kids home from school.  Come 7:50pm and I still hadn't run, I was hungry for dinner and dinner was ready.  Instead I changed and headed down to the treadmill and knocked out those miles. Knowing that I couldn't start out the week behind.  No regrets there.

Yeah .. no Yoga.

Tuesday
Plan:  Barbell Strength Class
Actual:  Barbell Strength Class

This was another near miss. I got a call at 2pm that my daughter had taken a spill at school, refused to get up.  Refused to get on the bus.  I was needed.  In a panic I called the doctors office to get an appointment ($20 office visit > than $40 instacare visit).  Rushed to her school.  Ankle looked ridiculous swollen...

After 2 hours at the doctors they determined it was a bad sprain.  It was 5pm, class started at 6pm so I RUSHED home, threw Baylee in the front door changed my clothes and walked into Barbell class literally with about 1 minute to spare.  So glad I still powered through and went to class.

Wednesday
Plan:  6m Pace run
Actual:  1 mile warm up at 5.4mph + 5 miles at Marathon pace 6.0mph, 10:01 avg pace
Treadmill, 1%

Today started with Wyland staying home from school because he had a stomach ache.  I always dread pace runs.  But this run went well.  It was easier than I expected and came to an end relatively quickly.  While my plan calls for all miles at marathon pace I always start with one mile of warm up, so I guess technically I'm cutting them all short by one mile.  As we went into the evening kid #2 started barfing.  Awesome!

Thursday
Plan:  Barbell Strength Class
Actual:  Barbell Strength Class

Class was AWESOME!  I love the music of the Thursday instructor way better than the Tuesday instructor.

Friday
Plan:  3m Easy
Actual:  3 miles, 10:33 avg pace
Treadmill, 1%

My legs felt GREAT!  I enjoyed some Vampire Diaries on the treadmill.

Saturday
Plan:  11m long run
Actual:  11 miles, 10:29 avg pace
OUTSIDE!  24 mph wind, some rain for the second half

Had a babysitter and my husband and I headed out.  I do love long runs.  It was supposed to rain and snow.  We were hoping the weather would hold out for us.  I started with a tank top, long sleeve, with my rain jacket on top.  A mile in we were stripping out of our rain jackets and stayed like that until after our turn around.

Love long run dates!

It was the perfect long run!  I ran the last mile at marathon pace. I always like to pick up that last mile to see how the legs feel at that point. It was comfortably hard.  My HR on the way out was labored, mainly I think due to the wind, we were running into it.  But then after we turned around and picked up the tailwind I felt pretty good.

Sunday

Plan:  Rest

Actual:  Rest, and grocery shopping (no couch time)

It was a solid week of training and everything felt good.  I'm ready for my little 3 miler today before I head home.

Eats

Weight Watcher Weigh In:  1.6 lb loss.  

Not really earned but I'll take it.  I didn't track at all all week.  

What I did well:

While I wasn't tracking, I did still keep things in check.  My portion control was pretty spot on.  I ate mostly pretty healthy dinners and even though we ran long Saturday morning and went out to breakfast I had my traditional egg white, mushroom and avocado omelette.  Then had movie popcorn for lunch (I know, I know, not great) but thin crust pizza for dinner.  I didn't have many sweets, just some chocolate cake last night.

What didn't go so well:

I didn't track my points.  I know that I need to.

What I'm going to focus on this week:

It's Thanksgiving and my birthday AND my wedding anniversary.  All on the same day.  So I'm going to continue to focus on portion control.  I know there will be tons of veggie options for Thanksgiving dinner so I'm not really worried about that. I'm more worried about the birthday/anniversary meals out!

**********

How strictly do you stick to your training plans?  Especially when it comes to warm up/cool down?

Do you have a game plan to stay on track this week with the holiday?

POP QUIZ .. it's like high school all over

Do you all remember those survey's from high school?  Perhaps I'm dating myself here .. I will be turning the big 4 - 0 next week.  *vomit in mouth* .. seriously turning 30 was so much easier.

I digress.

The awesomely talented Kimberly at Healthy Strides tagged me in a post and I am most happy to oblige!  I'm generally NOT a cool kid but this week I felt a tiny bit cool.  Thanks Kimberly!

Four names that people call me, other than my real name

Carebear

Keredwin

Babe

Honey

Four jobs I have had

Project Manager

Bartender  (I make a mean margarita!)

Collections Rep

Accounting Dept. Manager at a Termite and Pest Control company!

Four movies I've watched more than once

"Love Actually"

"Easy A"  .. I just love Emma Stone.  And all the 80's movies references .. melt my heart.

"Grease"  .. Who didn't know the words to all the songs and sing along like they were Sandy??

"Pretty Woman"  .. I mean c'mon who doesn't remember, "Big mistake .. HUGE .."

Four books I'd recommend

"Kite Runner"

"Memoirs of a Geisha" .. just awesome.

"Lean In"  .. I'm actually not even 100% finished but I'm LOVING the messages in this book.

Guilty Pleasure:  Black Dagger Brotherhood Series .. sexy vampires?  Yes please.  DON'T JUDGE

Four places I have lived

England .. born there.  Bet you didn't know that!

Los Angeles, CA  .. grew up there and it still holds a big chunk of my heart.

Sandy, UT

West Jordan, UT  .. but I don't drink the kool aid as one would say here.

 

Four places I have been

Paris, France

Aruba

Hawaii

New York

Four things I don't eat

Olives

Pickles

Fish .. cooked .. raw .. it's all just disgusting

artichokes .. unless chopped really tiny and mixed with spinach and LOTS of cream cheese .. because doesn't cream cheese make everything better??

Four of my favorite foods

Cafe Rio / Costa Vida Sweet Pork Salad .. come visit me and I'll take you there.  Your world will be rocked.

Sweet Potato fries

Cafe Zupas, Wisconsin Cauliflower soup .. so good.

Haagen Dazs, Peanut Butter and Chocolate ice cream .. Cold Stones Peanut Butter Perfection is a close second!

Four TV shows that I watch

Nashville .. I don't love country music but I LOVE this show

Chicago Fire  .. I don't know why but I've always loved fireman shows or emergency shows

Parenthood .. this should be at the top of my list.  I'm SICK that it's been cancelled, it's brilliant!

Vampire Diaries .. back to that guilty pleasure category .. the men are just gorgeous to look at.

Four things I am looking forward to this year (I'm thinking 2015)

No more child support to my husbands oldest son .. RAISE!!

Phoenix Marathon .. I need some redemption

We will be debt free come summer (except for our house)

Planning some sort of family vacation .. we're due.

Four things I'm always saying

"It is what it is."  I'm a big believer in accepting and moving on.

"Be quiet!!!"  .. usually yelled at one of my 3 boys.  They are just so loud!

"Please .. please .. just DO YOUR HOMEWORK."

"I am so worn out."

Four People I tag

Katie

Jess

Kim  .. it's been awhile

hello fancy pants  .. not sure if you read but just in case

and any other possible reader that might be out there .. join the fun!

**********

Thanks Kimberly for making me feel cool this week!

Do you have kids?

Do you fight with them over homework EVERY night?

     -  Please someone share a trick with me!  Homework is going to be the death of me.

Tips for squeezing it in.

**TWSS**

Are you too busy to work out?

How many times do you hear people say, I just don't have the time?

We all get the same number of hours in a day.  Every single one of us.  As with all things in life it comes down to what you choose to make a priority and what you choose to put on the back burner.  I'm not one of those runners who will go on and on about how much I love love love running.  Nope.  Because I don't know that I really do love running.  I started after I had my 4th and LAST baby.  I wasn't a track runner in high school.  Like so many other bloggers out there.

Nope.

I started really running in my thirties!

I would say the reason I still run, now almost 4 years later is because it's a habit.  I do value having this healthy habit in my life.  Setting an example to my children that it's important to take care of your body.  That as a wife/mother/ and full time employed outside the home woman I still value the importance of taking care of myself.

I have F O U R children.

 One of those four children is disabled and a total handful.  Some days it takes all my patience.  There is nothing special about special needs.  Sorry, I'm saying it.  And I know many will condemn.  I cannot count the number of times I've been told that III am special.  Because III was chosen.

Alas, I still choose to make time for exercise.  So here are my tips on how to make it work:

1.  Plan.  Plan. And plan again.  Plan your meals.  I plan dinners for the entire week the week before. Not only does it make having the right ingredients on hand a snap.  But it takes the decision out of dinner.  So many benefits come with this one.  We eat healthier.  I plan around busy nights.  Some nights I PLAN to have a Lean Cuisine for dinner.  Throw some veggies in the steamer and dinner is ready with no prep work in 30 minutes.

2.  Plan.  Plan.  And Plan again.  Plan your workouts.  Write them down.  Know when you'll do them.  And then the night before you're planning by packing your bag.  By planning that on Tuesday and Thursday I want to go to Barbell class then I know to plan my meal around getting home at 7:15pm.  I know to pack running clothes for work AND capri's for Barbell class.  Because who (other than my husband) wants to see me bend over doing deadlifts in my running shorts?

3.  Get creative.  I run usually 3 days per week during my lunch hour.  Yes, this means that I have to eat at my desk which they say is so terrible for you. But the terrible part about eating at your desk is that you're distracted and eat more. But if you've PLANNED (see #1) your lunch then you're already portioned out and don't have to worry about overeating.  It's not always fun to run at lunch.  But it's how I get creative at squeezing it in.  I don't shower after, I use baby wipes.  Some people might think it's gross.  Whatever.  Nobody has ever told me I stink.  Biggest downside to this is my hair.  Up do.  All the time.

And don't be afraid to squeeze a walk in or a jog while getting outside with your kids.  I don't intentionally go out to run with my kids.  No jogger here.  BUT, I have been out with them before and wished I had my running shoes so that I could job next to them.  It's been a missed opportunity in the past, and I try to make sure it's not repeated.  I walk laps while my son is at soccer practice.  Baylee (my daughter) will walk some laps too.  And I don't feel obligated to walk them together with her.  She gets her work out in and I get mine.  Plus I'll drag my dog along too.

4.  Find a buddy.  I don't run with a buddy much anymore.  But I used to have a weekend running buddy and it kept me MUCH more accountable. I miss running with her and our Sunday morning chats.  This is my biggest challenge currently.  I'm pretty introverted, so I'm not big on running groups.  But for lots of people this works out well.  And I happen to know that my Lifetime Fitness where I live welcomes non-members to run club.  So maybe that's an option where you are.

5.  Always be signed up for a race.  This one may not be popular with everyone.  But it comes back to the whole accountability factor.  If I'm signed up for a race .. I mean committed .. I've paid my money!  Because I don't get free race entries.  Then I'm more likely to not "waste my money" and not train.

6.  Get. Over. The. Mommy. Guilt.  Seriously.  Get over it.  You and your kids are better off if you get your run in.  Again, this comes from someone that is not a self proclaimed obsessed runner.  But I do admit that if I need to get a run in and I'm having a hard time squeezing it in and I don't want to not check off that box on my training plan.  I start to get grumpy.

I like to check boxes off.  What can I say?

7.  Bike Commute to work.  So this isn't running specific.  But I got an UP band and for awhile I was obsessed with getting my 10,000 steps in.  40 minute commute to work a couple times a week really helped!  And I LOVED commuting to work on my bike. I loved knowing I was reducing my carbon footprint as well.

Best money ever spent.

8.  It is NOT the Dreadmill.  I love my treadmill.  Sometimes (often times these days) the only weeknight TV I get is while running on the treadmill.  I love plugging my headphones in my ears and just running while indulging in a little Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime Video.  Love.  Vampire Diaries anyone?  We have a treadmill at work and it's so convenient.  Plus in the summer when it's 100+ degrees outside, I don't have to go out and melt.  Great excuse to hop on the mill.

9.  Make it a date.  As I mentioned I dearly miss running with my best girl friend. But since then my husband and I have spent many a Saturday morning or day off starting with a long run.  We still want to get out and explore some local trails before it's too late.

10.  Multitask.  I will be getting a spin bike for my birthday in a couple weeks.  Jeramie already knows that the bike is going in our living room.  Is he thrilled?  Nope.  But I know it will get used if it's upstairs, rather than in my basement.  I can't wait!  Spin while bonding with my husband on the couch over some Walking Dead?  Yes please.

That's it.  That's actually a pretty good list there.  All of which I can personally attest to.  I never said that finding time was easy.  And it isn't always convenient.  But if you choose to make it a priority then the time is there to be found.

***************

What ways have you gotten creative to find time for exercise?

Netflix / Hulu / Amazon Prime Video .. what's your poison?

What shows are you loving right now?
          -  I'm gorging on Vampire Diaries and Sons of Anarchy.

Five Things Friday

Happy Friday people!  I am so ready for the weekend.  I feel like I haven't seen my kiddos all week.  I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with them.  Can you even believe that school goes back NEXT MONTH??  That just makes my heart break a little.

1.  I went to see this movie last night.  I had read the book. I knew it was sad.  But good LORDY watching it play out over the big screen was gut wrenching!  I'm not always a huge fan of watching movies made of books that I've already read, I often find myself bored.  This movie was adapted well though.  Even if the actors were brother and sister (Divergent) now becoming lovers .. weird? .. maybe a bit!  Good stuff though .. just make sure you take a big big box of tissues.

2.  I have tried desperately to get back on track with my eating.  So I've been eating turkey sandwiches and veggies all week.  (well for lunch anyway)  I was doing really well until #1 (movie last night), when I ended up devouring a philly cheesesteak sandwich at the theater.  It was SO good.  And now today I haven't been able to get a FreeBirds pork quesadilla out of my head.  I swear once you bring back in the really good tasting food then turkey sandwiches and veggies just don't sound that good anymore!

3.  It's been over 100 degrees here some days this week and this happened to my furnace.  That's ICE!  It stopped working and my house was 85+ degrees.  It sucked.  However, it only cost $134 to fix and the house is cold again.  I'm calling that a WIN since it could have been worse!

4.  Oh and this guy.  My baby.  He gets a bloody nose and I actually think he was proud of it.  Love him.

5.  This ranks in the top of my favorite race pictures.  I feel like I look heavy, especially across the shoulders and arms.  But setting that aside I love it.  I'd just finished my first Ragnar leg last month.  I was tired but I'd worked hard and looking at the picture that's what my face says.  I just love it.

**********

What are you all doing this weekend?  Leave me a little comment love!

          -  I'll be spending some time in the sun at the lake.  Hopefully I don't drink too many margaritas!

Salt Lake Half Marathon, Recap.

I debate about whether just to shut this silly little blog down but I just can't bring myself to do it.  I like having my race recaps and training to look back on.  I have run the Salt Lake Half Marathon every year since I started running 3+ years ago.  I like that it's a course through my home town.  This race in particular starts at my Alma Mater which always feels kind of cool.  Since we were in the middle of marathon training we had a 20 miler on tap for the day.  It was really attractive to just run the extra 7 after we finished the race but we did that once last year and it kind of sucked.  The cool thing about this race is that there is no busing.  You can take TRAX to the start from multiple locations for free.  So we decided to park at the finish and then run our way UP to the start line. Once we got to the start the plan was to run out and back for another 4 miles. Then run the race.

That was the plan ...

Well we got there in plenty of time.  We parked right next to the start line for free!  Which isn't always possible in down town Salt Lake.  But the run to the starting line was seriously straight up hill the whole way.  That probably wasn't the best idea right before a half marathon.  It was kind of fun though because they also have a bike tour and so we saw tons of cyclists heading to their starting line to start before the runners.  Once we got up there it was obvious that the out and back for four miles wasn't going to work.  There were no sidewalks up there.  There was however a totally empty beautiful track!!!  So that's what we did.  Ended up needing another 4.5 miles before the race to get us to 20.  We were the only ones on there for quite some time.  It was so relaxing not having to worry about rushing to get ready for the race.  We had plenty of time.  After a while there were a lot of people that joined us on the track .. we kind of felt like little trend setters out there.

We watched the sun rise over the mountains beside us.

My selfie.  I just thought this was cool.

We finished our first 7 feeling good.

Ready to run another 13.1

The course was different than last year.  Pretty much every year I've run this (3 in a row now) they've changed the course a LOT.  This year there was quite a bit of uphill sections. But since we weren't running it for time it really wasn't a big deal.  I liked that they tried to take us on a bit of a tour of Salt Lake.  That made it fun.  We ran with Jeramie's friend, it was his first half in quite awhile.  With about 4 miles left, which is when things get hard for me is when I split off from the boys and forged ahead some on my own.  I was feeling really good!  Which surprised me.  It was starting to get warm at this point. When I had about 2 miles left my IT band started to hurt quite a bit.  I had started running in some Altra's and around the same time started to have some IT band issues that I haven't had since I started running three years ago.  I'm super bummed about that and also SUPER worried about how this will play out at my marathon in a month.

2:18:01

I walked a bit during those last 2 miles and tried to suck it up some.  It was a bit of a fight but I finished feeling good about my time and really proud that I pulled through on a total of 20.

Salt Lake Half is the ONLY one in Utah I believe to have finish line beer.

I'm not a big Miller Lite fan .. but that beer tasted wonderful.

Love running races with the hubs.

My only dislike of this race is that the t-shirts are some of the lamest.

**********

Do you like running hometown races?

Do you indulge in the finish line beers?  If not, do you at least give your beer ticket to someone else?

Has it really been almost an entire year?

Well .. here I sit.  I can't believe my last blog post was almost a year ago.  I love love love reading other bloggers and yet when it comes to my own, I think who wants to know what I'm thinking?

Alas, here I am again.  Hopefully this isn't the last you'll hear from me for awhile.  My goal, at least once per week.  I can do this.

Looking back at 2013.  It was a big year for me. 

I ran my first marathon!!!  

My thoughts:  It was hard.

Then I accidentally ran my second marathon!!!

My thoughts:  I thought it would feel easier.  It didn't.  It was still REALLY hard.

So I guess that means marathons are HARD and not for sissies.

This was me about 9 miles in, hitting the downhill part of the course.

Feeling GOOD!

And then I hit the 20's and shit got HARD.

I am SOOO grateful for my husband who jumped in with me around mile 19.

 My moment.

I became a marathoner.

That was Utah Valley Marathon.  I think it's probably the best shape I've ever been in in my entire life.  I was down to my lowest weight of my adult life, without really feeling hugely deprived. I was just committed to the healthy lifestyle.  Then I went on a week long trip to Mexico (WITHOUT kids) and then we spent a week in California with the kids and things just kind of fell apart after that.

I digress .. so when I say I accidentally ran a second marathon, let me explain.  St. George Marathon is kind of known as the coveted marathon in the state of Utah.  You have to get in via lottery however.  After two tries you're guaranteed entry on your third try.  Well I entered my husband and myself just to get one of our "tries" out of the way. And wouldn't you know we got in.  I can honestly say I was disappointed.  Training for a marathon during the really hot months of Utah was not on my list of things to do.

As you can see.  This one didn't feel any easier.

And I ran it slower.  Thinking that that might make me feel a little better towards the end.  Yeah, I was wrong.

I really should have done true race recaps on them both.  However, I'm starting fresh with the blog and that's what you're getting for now.  So 4:21 is the time to beat in 2014.  We (Jerm and I) entered another lottery for the Ogden Marathon .. and got in!  But I actually kind of did want to get into this one.  My goal, is to come in under 4:15.  Running my marathons in 2013 my goal was simply to finish them.  This time around I'll be adding speed work to the training.  So we're running for a time goal.

I just sat down and wrote my January training into my Erin Condren Life Planner.  And I'll be honest, I kind of want to cry a little.  I know it's going to be hard work this time.  I'm going to push myself harder than I have in quite awhile.  Push my work/home/run balance more than I have since this time last year.  But I thrive with goals.  I know this.  I'm hungry for this goal. 

I guess among other things I should really think through some tangible 2014 goals.  I don't love the term "resolution".  I like goals!

What about you.....

Have you run a full marathon?  More than one?  Does it get easier?  (please tell me it does)

Do you like resolutions or goals?  Do you have any for 2014 yet?