Time for a reset

Hello and I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  Time with friends and family and hopefully some training during the holidays?  It can be a time to press the "reset" button about what you want to achieve in 2025.  Take the time to reflect on what you enjoy doing, what makes you feel good and what you'd like to look back on at this time next year and say, "yep I did it". Also, realise what you don't like and drop it - time is precious so use it wisely.
Take nothing for granted, especially your health, as your situation can change very quickly as I have found out in the last year.
2024 for me hasn't been good health wise.  I have not reached the start line of any race I have entered this year, which is a first for me.  I've covered it in my blog before but my cardiologist has been trying to adjust my medication to allow me to train at a good level, but not what I used to do for my long ultra races as that would be too risky.  The good news is that I don't require the ablation operation for the meantime.  The medication is controlling my atrial fibrillation which I am pleased about.  However I've lost my running fitness and getting it back will take some time.  My runs at the moment are all under 9k and slow.  I don't feel great but my heart rate is under control which is a start.  This will just take time, I hope!
What will be interesting is to see the effect of my retirement - yes I've retired!!!!  I've spent the last 45 years advising people on retirement and it's now my turn.  Already I can feel a "weight has been lifted off my shoulders".  The stress of running a regulated business does have an impact on your health - long term stress is a killer.
So now every day is a Saturday.  I have lots of plans and travel to pack in.  In January Beth & I are heading on a trip of a lifetime.  In the summer we'll be off in our campervan, which has a trailer for my motorbike, and will be exploring the Scottish Highlands and Islands.  I will be fulfilling my ambition of writing books with a target of the first one being published by this time next year.
In 2024, although I haven't been running, I have been working with a personal trainer in the gym.  I'm in great shape strength wise and this will benefit my running.  I also went for swimming lessons to learn how to swim properly.  
As you can see, I have a plan for 2025 and beyond and hope you do to.  If the last year has taught me anything it's that how long we are on this planet isn't guaranteed so if there is something you want to do, don't put it off.  Live in the present and be grateful for every day.  We take so much for granted such as being fit and well.  Think about the last time you were ill.  Lying in bed wishing you could go out for a walk, run swim or just to be able to breathe properly.  Yet we walk around when we are well and think nothing of it.
I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2025.  Use the downtime to reflect on 2024 and reset for 2025.  If you don't have goals, ambitions, targets, call it what you want, to aim for then how do you know when you are heading in the desired direction?  My next blog will be in April when I'll be asking you how your reset is going.  There's a target for you to aim for, what progress can you make between now and April?  Go for it.