40 Before 40 – March Update

My birthday is on the 8th of January, so I’ll be posting my 40 Before 40 updates on the 8th of each month. Here’s the March update!

For the original list and more info about each item, go to WoosleyCoaching.com/40

Wildcards No More!

I started this effort with five wildcards so that I would have some flexibility to discover new adventures along the way. Since my last post, I’ve decided on three of the five:

• 36) Wildcard #1: Attempt a Half Marathon

Between the peer pressure and the desire to support my friends Steve and Jody Berkey, I signed up to train for a half marathon. I didn’t commit absolutely, I just signed up. But then I learned about needing new shoes to eliminate a lot of the pain in my knees. I got a 13 week training plan I can follow. I got a Facebook group to be accountable to 40 other brave souls who signed up to run a half or at least walk a 5K or 10K (including my wife!). And then I started to see my times improve and felt I was almost enjoying running. Now I’m fully committed. I’ve registered for the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon in May (non-refundable entry fee) and purchased my airfare (also non-refundable). I may not be fast, but I’m going!

• 37) Wildcard #2: Send Letter to My Address in England

I was playing around with Google Maps one day and entered my address so I could see the satellite view of my house. I mainly wanted to see if the pictures were recent enough to show my shed office in the backyard (and they were). But the interesting thing was that I found a home in England with the exact same address as my home in Alabama, including the funny spelling of the street name. I thought it would be fun to send them a package and say “hello” from the colonies. I’ll have the kids write letters and draw something, and maybe we’ll include some small gifts. A random act of kindness kind of thing (and hopefully they read and speak English!).

• 38) Wildcard #3: Make My Military Shadowbox

I spent five years on active duty in the US Air Force, and seven years before that in high school and college ROTC. I have a box full of military memorabilia, but I never organized it and displayed it. My father and father-in-law are retired Air Force, so my wife and I grew up in the military culture. But my kids are growing up in a small (but wonderful) town and experiencing something that is foreign to me…growing up in just one place! It’s a good thing, but I also want them to understand and appreciate our military and the family heritage of service. This will be one way to start some of those conversations.

Completed

• None so far, but March has several ready to pop onto April’s update!

Making Meaningful Progress

• 7) Start recycling

Recycling bins are purchased and set up in the garage! The kids are in charge of gathering paper, plastic and aluminum cans. They’ll reap the rewards as well when they earn a little spending money (and hopefully learn something about work along the way).

• 12) 12 Dates with My Wife

February is the month for love. Thankfully I was able to have not one, but two dates with my beautiful wife the week of Valentine’s day. The first was a library foundation dinner, and another was a sweetheart dinner in support of our school’s softball team. Okay, so they weren’t the fanciest of dates, but we had some real time together without the kids (who we love, but need to get away from together occasionally!).

• 13) Visit Congress or AL Legislature

I missed an opportunity to visit Congress in January, and then missed a chance to visit the Alabama Legislature in February. But a trip to Montgomery is being scheduled for March…stay tuned!

• 11) Read the entire Bible

Full steam ahead into Joshua now, on page 224 of the 1339 pages in my Bible. That’s 16.7% of the Good Book and I’m still on track to finish by the end of the year!

• 14) Publish first book

Continuing the editing process, sent a few updates to my book launch team (join me!), and moving forward. Having the final draft complete by the end of March is in jeopardy, but I’m pressing forward which is good.

• 18) Finish office

I hate drywall. Or should I say it hates me? I’m not sure, but I know I’m not enjoying doing it and have procrastinated this DIY project far too long (I should have just paid to have it done…lesson learned). However, a few weeks ago I finished sanding the first round of drywall and I have to say that the sins I committed on the wall with mud look a lot less noticeable now! Round two (and hopefully the final round) soon, then on to trim, flooring and paint (most of which will be outsourced) and I can finally move into my shed office. If only there were an IKEA closer to Mobile.

• 21) Consistently wake up between 5-6 am

Only five days before 6 am in the last month. Night owl habits are growing back, time to try a new approach.

• 24) Make 100 blog posts

This post makes nine since the beginning of the year…February was short and busy and I failed to write enough. I did however generate some good ideas for future posts, including a significant series on the basics of project management.

• 25) Ride a Century (100 mile single bike event)

Last month I registered for the JDRF Nashville charity ride in September. Please consider donating at WoosleyCoaching.com/jdrf. This month I started a formal training plan under the guidance of my friend Dr. Steve Berkey of 90Revolutions.com. I logged over 25 miles in spite of the weather, including seven on my new indoor bike trainer with a new bike computer, heart rate monitor and cadence monitor (this much data must mean I’m serious). I also test rode a Trek Domain Six Series that I can’t afford (but it was fast and light!). I may need to upgrade to tackle the Century, but I can’t buy a bike that costs as much as a car (yet)!

• 26) Complete first 5K race

Tomorrow is the Gator Hustle 5K! I started practicing on my own, then joined a half marathon group organized by my friend Jody Berkey (yes, the lovely wife of Dr. Steve from item 25). I’m more ready for the 5K than I ever imagined. In just four weeks, I’ve shaved more than six minutes off of my time and I’m actually starting to enjoy running a bit. New shoes, a training plan and an encouraging community of friends make all the difference in the world.

• 27) Drive a race car

LivingSocial had a deal in December. I bought it for my and my wife. We hit the track on St. Patrick’s Day! Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let’s go racing! (pictures to follow for sure)

• 28) Complete second Spartan race

Somehow my Spartan Race in November got moved to October without me being notified…no bother. I’ll be in fine form by then if I stay injury free, and it may be a little warmer as well!

• 31) BMI 25 or less

Started the year at about 27. Down another notch to about 26.4. It’s just a number though. What’s more important is how I feel. Losing 10 pounds to get there will be a bonus!

• 32) Complete a fast

I don’t normally do anything for Lent, but this year decided to give up soft drinks. It isn’t the biggest fast in the world, but I had started downing the things more often than normal over the last few months. It’s been a big plus for my athletic training, though the temptation of not having one makes it harder to resist than before. But so far, so good. No soft drinks since Mardi Gras and I have until Easter to go at the end of March. A cold Coke an April 1st is looking likely, but I’ll limit my consumption!

• 33) Record 2M steps in 2013

January is bringing my annual average down as I really didn’t focus much on it until the end of the month. But I blew my numbers out of the water in February (especially training for the 5K and half marathon). As of today I’m at 361,329 steps but on a strong pace to hit 2M in September or October.

• 35) Ride over 1200 miles

Combine my new indoor trainer with a training plan for my Century and what do you get? I should easily top 2000 miles this year if I stay injury free and follow my coach.

No Update to Report (Yet!)

• 1) Daddy/Daughter Getaway
• 2) Father/Son Event
• 3) Teach Ian to ride a bike
• 4) Get gloves and play catch with Anna and Ian
• 5) Host a party
• 6) Have a getaway weekend with Heather
• 8) Have a family service project
• 9) Visit a museum or attend a symphony/play/opera
• 10) Family Vacation
• 15) Produce 10 products (ebooks, audio programs, etc.)
• 16) Conduct group coaching course
• 17) Conduct first STRATOP
• 19) Establish LLC
• 20) Start a podcast
• 22) Teach a community class (other than FPU)
• 23) Join/Start Local Mastermind/Networking Group
• 29) Attend a NASCAR event
• 30) Take a firearms safety class
• 34) Complete the Manitou Springs Incline
• 39) Wildcard #4
• 40) Wildcard #5