Good-bye '13, Hello '14

Finally, two months in, here we go.

2013 IN REVIEW
Last year was an excellent one.  Here's my biggest life and athletic highlights.

On paper, officially married the most amazing woman!  What a wonderful feeling.  Can't wait to celebrate with her and our family and friends in 2014.

Ran across the Sahara Desert: The Marathon des Sables was an incredible experience.  Looking back at the things that I and 1,000 new friends did and challenges we overcame will serve as a lifetime of inspiration.

Let's hope I can do it again sometime!

Marathon PB, 3:12: My only other race on the year was the Kobe Marathon.  Despite feeling that I could have run faster, it was a PB by 7min.  Gotta be pleased with that.


2014 GOALS
This is going to be a year of personal change.  The biggest plan is heading to Hawaii with Natsuko to celebrate our marriage with friends and family!  After that comes a move back to finance (hopefully).  This means we'll be leaving Japan.  Our next destination is unknown, but I'm looking for jobs in California (if you've got any job leads, let me know :) or possibly New York City or Singapore.

Because of the uncertainty brought by these changes, my goals are fairly general.  Also, I suspect there will be more posting on non-athletic pursuits.  Should be interesting.

30/30/30: Pretty basic, but I want to do at least 30 sessions in the pool (1km min), at least 30 bike sessions (30mins min) and 30 runs (30mins min).  Running to work should take care of the running, but I'm going to have to make time for the others.

I've grown to hate the excuse, "I don't have time to do it."  I used to use this a lot.  Then, it dawned on me that I have the time but choose to do other things.  If I want to be a multi-sport athlete, I have to make it a priority.

Compete in at least three multi-sport events: "Well, you're not a triathlete anymore.  You're a runner."  A friend recently spoke the truth.  At first, I was a little offended, but then I thought about it.  Most of my cardio is running and my last triathlon was July 2011.  That's pretty good support for her thoughts.

Don't get me wrong, being known as a runner is great.  But, I love cross-training and multi-sport more.

Take on at least one multi-day adventure: Did I mention how amazing MdS was?  Well, it opened my eyes to a less competitive and more free-spirited way to challenge and improve myself.  So, it doesn't have to be an organized race, just a multi-day, out in the elements, carrying everything I need trek with a friend or two.  More to come.