101 in 1001 – Sept ’15 Update

Since several of ya’ll pointed out in recent comments that I needed to update my 101 in 1001, it seems an update is in order! I’m building momentum towards a life that I’ve designed by focusing on progress instead of perfection.

Almost 2 years ago, I was wading my way through a mental transition. I had hit the mental wall of realizing that the primary road block between me and that list of things I wished I could do was, well….me. As I covered a couple weeks ago, at some point I needed to decide that I was tired of waiting for things to be just right. The perfect time is simply a trap that tricks us into thinking that we can’t chase goals & dreams because it’s not the right time.

Two years ago wasn’t the perfect time for a perspective shift. My husband had just returned from a 5 month military school and our son was struggling to adjust to him being home again (different schedule). My freelance work picked up substantially. I was spread way too thin on things that didn’t match up with my priorities. But I was tired of waiting for my time, my turn.

Starting a 101 in 1001 felt like the perfect fit. Because it was limited to 1001 days – just over 2 1/2 years – it was limited to relatively small goals. Nothing enormous. I knew that I needed to set myself up for success, build some momentum.

It worked. While I haven’t managed everything I’d hoped by this time, I’ve knocked quite a few things off my list and I’m making plans for others. The ball is rolling!

Status Check

1 – Complete a 5K

I want to run a half marathon, and I put a 5k on my list as a step towards that goal (because we should celebrate progress, right?). Last year, I’d started running regugularly but had repetitive injuries. So I took some time off running and focused on PiYo and The 21 Day Fix workouts. For the last month, I’ve been working walking and jogging for 30 minutes back into my weekly schedule and so far, no pain! So I’ve penciled in November Color Run so I can check this off!

4 – Have an image published in a major equestrian publication

This was one of the first things to get crossed off when some of my images were requested and published by The Chronicle Of The Horse.

6 – 500+ fans on If the Saddle Fits Facebook page

SMASHED! The social media shares of my Body Shaming article knocked this one out in 1 day. Sitting at 792, I’m now aiming for a 1000 and focusing on improving the conversation and engagement on the page.

10 – Compete at a recognized dressage show

Check and we’ve gone on to do THREE more this year. We’ve now finished our 2015 season and Elf hit all of my goals. We attended four shows, worked up to scores in the 60s and qualified for our Regional finals. While it was getting back in the show ring that resulted in my run in with body shaming, it was also an incredible relief to prove to myself that I could make these goals happen now, exactly where I’m at.

13 – Lose 60 lbs

In progress. I’m down 22 lbs and super happy with where I’m at. More than losing weight, I’m getting stronger and its improving my effectiveness as a rider. My position has improved substantially – enough that my very fit (and personal trainer certified) dressage trainer ordered my favorite workout PiYo and is now doing it too! Now that the show season is done and Elf is on a slightly less demanding ride schedule, I’m stepping up my own workouts with the release of Hammer and Chisel, which I’m both excited and a little nervous for!

15 – Crochet An Afghan

This took me almost a year. I kept putting it down and forgetting about it for a while, but it did get done earlier this year!

17 – Take munchkin to the zoo.

Yes! We’re trying hard to take advantage of our time in Texas by doing some of the really fun things. On an overnight trip to Houston with my husband’s family, we squeezed in the zoo and had a wonderful time. Little shout out to the Houston Zoo for offering military service members and their families free admission, it was a pleasant surprise!

20 – Get back to the beach

We’ve been twice! And I’m already scheming another trip to my favorite place – Hilton Head Island. I discovered my munchkin is a total beach bum and loves it just as much as I do.

21 – Photograph A Rodeo

On Labor Day weekend this year, we made it a family day and spent the evening at the Central Texas Fair for Bulls and Bands. It wasn’t the most ideal photography conditions and I’m still hoping to find a location where I shoot outside with some sun and dust. I still need to edit those photos and blog them, so I’m adding that to the list!

23 – Upgrade My Camera

Oh, this one. My husband won Christmas last year when he completely surprised with a new Canon 5D Mark iii. I’d been saving for a while and I would never have thought he’d manage it without me knowing, but he did. And from Afghanistan, no less.

25 – Photograph my whole family

Check. On a family vacation to Myrtle Beach, we managed this one. With both my husband and younger brother in the military (and my other brother former Air Force), we’re spread to the four winds so this was a feat in and of itself!

30 – Attend the 2015 FEI World Cup in Las Vegas 4/15-19

This one didn’t happen because sometimes the Army’s schedule comes first, and my husband was sent out of town. But I’m making plans for other wonderful horse show related opportunities!

32 – Ride in one clinic a quarter Q1 & Q2 2015

This, and getting into regular lessons, was probably the biggest momentum driver for crossing off my riding related goals. In February, I rode in the Peter Madison Greenwell clinic hosted by my trainer. It was the biggest kick in the pants! It showed me both how far I had to go in learning dressage and how immediately I could start to positively influence Elf’s way of going. In May, we participated in Bombproofing Your Horse (complete with smoke and bull whip cracking. While this was a really tough one for us, I think it did help deal with Elf’s terror of hectic warm rings. It was an issue that steadily improved over the course of the season.