9 Bullets for '09

• Successfully juggle family, running, and business. You see, as of New Year's Eve, I'm a business owner! I was practicing chiropractic in Plymouth until August of this year when an opportunity I couldn't pass up presented itself. It involved Schleicher Chiropractic of Kiel (only about 15 minutes North of Plymouth), and I've been working at the office since then, getting to know the patients, learning the office procedures...and now...the office is in transition to Giebler Chiropractic! Ellie and I purchased the office and the beautiful building and closed just a couple days ago. I can't put into words the excitement I've got inside of me, but it's definitely time-consuming--especially at night, when all the tasks you forgot about during the day suddenly line up and make themselves known at the very front of your mind.
• Break 3 hours in the marathon. As you might remember, this was a goal of mine last year, but when I found out I wasn't able to run Chicago because of a scheduling conflict, my plans changed to other, less sane goals.
• Run more miles per week. I tend to skip the smaller runs during the week and simply pile on to the runs on the weekend. The more I run, the more I realize how important it is for me to get that run in--not just for training, but for sanity--as it really gets my day started well and truly clears my mind. I don't know if this will result in more overall miles (in '08 I ran 1840) but I do need to be more consistent.
• Start a Tuesday Night Track workout for the local high school. Two summers ago I led a weekly track workout for the track and cross country runners, and it was actually a lot of fun. I was running track workouts every week in anticipation of BQ-ing in Chicago in the fall (Didn't happen, and actually, really sucked. Also, in the ending paragraphs of that report I mention that I have no desire whatsoever to run a 50 miler. Ha!), and having those fast kids around really helped! I want to start something like that again, both for the sake of the students, but also to make me a bit more accountable on my previous bullet.
• Continue to get others running more. This was a goal of mine last year, and one of the most satisfying results of my running this year was the inclusion of others. I'm going to keep working on that. Ellie's planning a return to Grandma's, also, so there's a great place to start!
• Lead people beyond just running, but also show them eating healthier and living with better wellness (physical, chemical, AND mental) is the way to live! This wraps back to the first bullet and my new office. The pride I feel in what this office can be is only overshadowed by the nerves and energy of making it happen.
• Run a Trail 50K. I really liked the 50 miler, but 50 miles on roads is a bit much. I think 50 miles on trails would be WAYY too much, but I'm excited to see how things goes on a long trail run.
• Run the Northern Kettle Moraine Ice Age Trail tip to tip. I've tried this twice thus far. Lyme Disease and rolled ankles ended both attempts. 2009 is the year! It's an amazing trail, both in the fact you're very secluded, but also in the fact that it takes concentration to keep your feet in an anatomically correct position (i.e. NOT inversion-spraining your lateral malleolus into a rock or root).
• Walk to work more days than I drive. I'm trying this one over again. Last year it didn't happen as the move to Kiel completely ruined any chances of success. 2009 is the year!

So there you have it! I hope everyone had a great New Year's, and make this year the best year yet!