The Dirty Five - Resolutions for 2012

There are probably only 12 bloggers in the world that did not place "be more consistent with my blog" on their laundry list of New Year's Resolutions. I am not one of the 12!

It's tough to keep up a blog over the holidays. In theory, time off "work" should equate to an avalanche of blog posts. Not so much in my case - but I've had a lot of fun! Frankly, if you don't step away from the keyboard to LIVE your life, what the hell is there to write about?

I've spent a lot of my 'off time' setting goals for 2012. Assuming we don't all blow up in some Mayan explosion on December 21, the following list will define this year of my life on earth. (Dramatic, yeah?)

1. I will learn to swim properly. I've got this in the bag. My running girls consist of a competitive swimmer and a triathlete. Expensive goggles already ordered. Done.

2. I will devote one hour per day to phone calls to my loved ones. I've had enough of the nagging feeling that I have phone calls to make. Not every call requires three hours and a dead phone battery. Emails are no substitute for voices and laughter.

3. I will develop one discernible abdominal muscle. My husband swears I can knock this out in six weeks. I beg to differ. At my fittest, I've never been able to see an ab muscle. Getting this done at 42 will be bad ass.

4. I will get at least 3 restaurants on Barbados to develop a vegan dish for their menu. Outreach is the name of the game. I've got big plans in the works for a new website and doing some restaurant outreach is the first step in building my empire! (insert evil cackle here)

5. The big enchilada... I will train to be a pacer at the Western States 100. This is probably where most of you go - huh? Let me 'splain. I was given the amazing opportunity to pace one of the most inspirational people I know from miles 62 to 80 at Western States. My part of the race will be in the dead of night, on a trail, with a headlamp. My job will be to "be" whatever my runner needs... chatty cathy, church mouse, ass kicker, Tony Robbins - take your pick. I will need to know the trail, aid stations and distance/times by heart but will never have stepped foot on the trail. Again, this is in the dark, on a trail (roots, rocks, etc.) with a headlamp, with an incredible ultra-marathoner. I have zero experience at any of this. Hands down, this terrifies me.

*There is a new documentary out about Western States - you can view the trailer here to get a taste of what I'm in for... assuming I stay heatlthy, injury-free and unafraid.

There it is – the dirty five! Last year I slurred out my goal after a few too many rums at Crane Beach on Christmas, "I'm going to run a marathon!” Following through with that moment of ill-thought-out resolution setting utterly change my life. I cannot wait to see where it all ends up this year!

Barring any Mayan explosion…