My overzealous 2018 goals

further ado, here are my – potentially overzealous – goals for the year. My first, and arguably most audacious, goal for the year is all about multi-sport. Last year, I coasted through triathlon season. I got in just enough training to get through my races healthy, and just enjoyed race day. It was a blast! In spite of my chill approach, I placed in my age group at the Rock Hall Sprint Triathlon and subsequently qualified for USA Triathlon Olympic Age Group National Championships for the second year in a row. That got my wheels turning. What would happen if I decided to go all in? I know I can qualify in a sprint distance race, but could I qualify at the olympic distance? (If I’m speaking Martian, my apologies, I promise the tri-speak is almost over.) For 2018, my goal is to qualify by racing – and rocking – an Olympic distance race. To do that, I have to a) win my age group or b) place in the top 10%. That’s some serious stuff. I plugged the numbers of the winners and top 10 for a couple of the races I’m doing, and in order to meet this goal, I’ll have to get my time down to 2:30-2:40. That’s fast. For reference, my best time in an Olympic distance race is 2:55. My worst, thanks to my total unpreparedness for the hills in last year’s HarryMan Triathlon, is 3:36. It’s a lot of time to shave off of a fairly short race. To make it happen, I’m starting to work smarter (and harder) now. I’ve adopted a more strategic training plan for the year. I’m bringing back tactics that have helped me pick up speed in the past; and I’m committed to dialing in my race-day nutrition (something I’ve never paid much attention). I may fail HARD, but I’m going all in, and I’m really excited to try! If you have a fitness goal for this year, check out She Can and She Did, and join Kelly Roberts’ #badassladygang. She’s making the impossible, possible! [caption id="attachment_3820" align="alignnone" width="1600"] I’m kicking triathlon training into high gear in 2018![/caption] Next on the list is to explore some of my wild ideas. I have a list of issues I’m passionate about, a gaggle of business ideas, and a collection of hypothetical solutions I want to test the waters around. All year, I’ll be meeting with people who are smarter than me to explore the possibilities and identify which, if any, have some real opportunity behind them. It may sound like nothing much, but giving enough credence to my wild ideas to entertain them as actionable is a big step for me. I can’t wait to spend the year learning! Another goal is to treat this little blog more like a business. Drunk on Opportunity is definitely a hobby, but I’ve been dedicating more time and energy into it in recent months, and it’s been really rewarding. I’ve absolutely loved adding fun new voices to the mix with the Keeping It Real panel; my favorite features are always those in the Rockstar Series; and it’s been a fun learning experience to upgrade the design and strategy. I’m looking forward to finding new ways to incorporate content from inspiring humans, improving the quality of what you see here, and committing myself to managing it like a boss. If there’s something you want to see more of (or not see), let me know! [caption id="attachment_4437" align="alignnone" width="3988"] Some of the wonderful women on the Keeping it Real panel![/caption] My favorite goal for the year, and one I hope, in-part, to bring to fruition here, is to help other women identify and realize their dreams too! Last year, I wanted all the wonderful women in my life to feel a sense of solidarity and support in a volatile time. This year, I want to help you shatter glass ceilings, launch rocket ships, close the gender wage gap, and achieve whatever it is you’re after. If you’re a lady in my life, reach out! Let me know what you want to achieve and what I can do to help you make it happen. If you want to share a project, dream, goal, campaign, business, crazy idea, manifesto, whatEVER, reach out – you have a platform here. If you need support with fundraising (my day job), resumes and interview skills (my hidden talent), or want an introduction to someone who’s got the skill set you need (I just know a lot of awesome people), reach out.  Let’s make 2018 something truly incredible! To that end, if you’re looking to share your goals for the year, drop me a line. We could all use a little inspiration! If you’re looking for help identifying your goals and making a plan to achieve them, this article is fantastic. What do you want to accomplish in 2018?]]>