2012 Off to a good start

Hello Readers!

It has been a few weeks since I have posted. I have been an extremely busy person so far this year. Some of you are probably thinking what's new? I agree with your sentiments, somethings never change. I never really thought about it until now, but I am probably slightly OCD in the way I workout and believe in getting after life. I will let everyone know that my running is still as crazy as it has ever been, I just figure you know that I am running and don't care to hear how much I put in each week. I will let people know I have signed up for the Westport St. Patrick 4 miler. This has always been one of my favorite runs in KC. If you are a beginner to running and want to try a race this is recommended as the course is fun, but the post race party after is top notch. I am always talking about the social benefits to running and this race is a prime example immediately after the run all the bars/restaurants in Westport have specials for those who run. Hopefully I will see some of you out there. I have also signed up for the Rock the Parkway half marathon again. Last year I ran my fastest time ever on this course. Hopefully I can improve upon that time. Only time will tell.

This year I have continued with my try new things attitude. I have been playing sand volleyball for the last couple years, but this year I am on an indoor volleyball team as well. Last night the results were not pretty, but ths has been a great experience as I have met new people and am having a blast. Continuing on the theme of trying new things, I have gotten into hot yoga. For those of you not familiar with this, all I can say is this is the most intense yet therapuetic workout. It is practicing yoga for one and a half hours in a room that is heated to 105 degrees. If this sounds insane, it is! The benefit though is worth the pain and the insantiy. I have noticed in my running and swimming that I have been able to go faster thanks to the better flexibility and better breathing. If you are looking for something to try, I highly recommend it.

Hopefully everyone who set "Goals/Resolutions" for 2012 have been sticking with your goals. This is the pivotal time as most people make it about 4 - 6 weeks into the year before giving up. I urge everyone to stick with it! If you make it past that initial 6 weeks it will become routine and you will see the results you are hoping for.

Have a great week! Life is short, live it hard!
Ryan

2012 New Year, New Hope

Hello Readers!

Welcome to 2012! I don't know about you but I am extremely excited for the upcoming year. I am not a person who really celebrates the new year on New Year's Eve as I don't find it to be a big holiday, but I do get excited with all that a new year brings. I have told many people I believe that 2012 will be the best year. I have a ton to look forward to this year. With the new year comes new hopes and new goals.

If you read my new years post last year you know I don't believe in resolutions. Resolutions are something that we have an excuse to break. If we set goals at the beginning of the year, we may not achieve the goals but we have something to continually work toward. This year I start the year with some lofty goals. The first main goal is running marathon number two. I had been planning all along on Little Rock in March, but this has sold out. My friends Jen, Jeremy and I have now set our sites on Chicago in October. Make no doubt I will get registered on the day this opens so that it doesn't sell out on me. Those who remember last year know that a second goal was for me to do a half ironman. This is a goal that is on my horizon, not sure if I will have the time in my busy schedule this year but I will maintain it as a goal so that I continue to work toward it. I also vow that this year I will maintain my high level of community service as life has been good to me so it is extremely important that I continue to give back.

The second exciting thing about the new year is new hopes. This year new hopes will hold especially true. Many people who read this know that my job situation has been difficult over the past year. The situation will be even more challenging but exciting this year. I do have an official end date at my current position, which is at the end of February. So needless to say I have really been hitting the job market extremely hard to start the year. When I find a new position this will bring incredible excitement with it and hopes for what the future will have in store for me. A second great thing that is bringing excitement for me this year is becoming an Uncle. I haven't talked about this yet in my blog but in April I will become an Uncle. I am so excited for my brother and Jessica!! So as everyone can see there is a great deal of excitement ahead for 2012! Hopefully all you readers are setting your goals and hopes for this upcoming year. May 2012 be the best year yet!

Life is short, live it hard!

Ryan