bring on 2012

The theme for this year's Christmas Eve
dinner was Greek.  Opa!

Do you hear that hissing noise?  For this runner, 2011 is ending with a sound similar to air being let out of a tire.

I've turned into more of a walker over the past couple of months....I'm not sure why, but I just haven't been running that much.  I think it's a combination of things:
1. Working 50-60 hours per week has been taking its toll, both mentally and physically.
2.  Hello, perimenopause!  I haven't been sleeping well.  I often wake up at 3:00 a.m. or so and am then up for the day.  Could I have run on the treadmill at that time?  Probably, but I was usually trying to get back to sleep, or having given up on that happening, I would get up and work instead.
3. Jane needs to be walked every day and though I'd like to run with her more, I find that her needing to stop and do things like poop, pee and smell whatever nastiness she comes across messes with my running rhythm.  And let's not forget that when Jane takes a poo, someone has to carry it and so far, I haven't figured out how to make that someone be Jane and not me.  So, it has seemed like too much work somehow to fit in running with walking and everything else.
4.  The holidays.  I LOVE having family here for the holidays.  We hosted both Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners.  But that takes some time and work, too.  I was hoping the Holiday Booty Buster Challenge would help me get back in running mode but it didn't provide enough oomph on it's own..... I'm thinking maybe because it wasn't tied to a higher goal? (see #5 below)
5. Add in the lack of a real plan heading in the direction of a real goal, and here I am, lacking enough motivation to get me out the door for a real run.  All that has lead to a lack of blogging, too.  If I'm not running, there isn't much to blog about.

Looks like it's time for some changes!

source: reference.yourdictionary.com

For a start, I'm setting goals for 2012, both personal and professional.  I've also decided that if I want to incorporate fitness back into my life on a daily basis, I'm going to have to schedule it.  If it's not on the calendar, it's probably not going to get done.  And I'm adding in some fun challenges: The I Heart to Run 2012 Running Streak one mile per day running challenge, and John Bingham's 30 minutes for 100 days Challenge (30 minutes of intentional movement per day for 100 days).  I'm also looking for some new fish to fry in 2012.  I don't want to do a repeat of 2011 with the same races and the same goals...although 2011 was a great year for me with a lot of fabulous "firsts" (first trail race, first Warrior Dash, first MARATHON!!) I admit it, I'm selfish.  I want more firsts in 2012.

And of course, I'm going to do a recap of 2011 so I can see all the things I accomplished in one year, including some things I never dreamed I'd be able to do in my lifetime (one example: run 26.2 miles in one day).

I'm thinking of it as a little love note to myself.  :)

So bring on 2012!  I'm excited for all the possibilities the New Year holds!!

How do you get yourself out of a rut?  Any advice you can share or tricks you've used to get back on track?