I've been guilty of the "New Year, New Me" resolution and ended up in failure. I've also succeeded in my resolutions to only fail at them later in life (like loosing a lot of weight in 2008 to only put it back on by 2015.) But, I've also learned that I need to make my resolutions more attainable-- or more important, more specific. It's not ok to say, "I want to lose weight," It needs to be, "I want to lose 20 pounds this year," And according to Denny Krahn, aka Diz Runs, goals are more likely to be achieved if you write them down, share them with other people, discuss them with people on a regular basis, and be consistent in your actions to achieve them. (Denny's DizRuns Radio: Episode 358 explains more.)
So, I'm making my goals specific and attainable. I'm making them public on my blog, so I have some accountability, and I actually wrote them down on paper!!! So, here's my list of goals and how I hope to achieve them.
- Run 1,500 Miles in 2017
- I ran a little over 1,200 miles in 2016, so keeping up with my training program (which increased as 2016 progressed) should take me to 1,500 miles and beyond. I don't want to make the mileage too high for fear that I'll obsess over the number and run until I'm injured!
- Run a PR in the Pittsburgh Marathon
- This is a very attainable goal!! I ran Pittsburgh in 2010 and bombed. I went in poorly hydrated, a little under trained, and my race fueling/hydration fell apart. I ended up running it in 5:47:41. By keeping up with my training plan (there's a calendar of my plan here,) I'm sure I can beat that time. I'd really like to run 4:30 or under (my marathon PR is 4:39:43.)
- Run a 50K PR
- I'm registered for the Buckeye Trail 50K on July 8th. This will be my second BT50K and my third 50K ever. I need to break 9:40 to achieve this goal. I'm 75 pounds lighter (as I type this) than I was when I set that PR, so this should be VERY attainable; however, it's Ohio in July! I would like to run it in 7 hours or less.
- Run my First 50 Mile Event
- I'm looking at the Stone Mill 50 in November for my first 50 miler. I have my calendar marked for when registration opens. Only goal is to finish in the allotted 13 hours.
- Cross Train:
- I NEED to add core training and weights to my regular schedule. I have weights in my basement and it shouldn't be hard to take 15 minutes, 3 days a week, to do some basic weight lifting (bench press, squats, dead lifts, over head presses, curls, rows, pull downs, and triceps extensions.) I don't have to do all of the exercises everyday, but putting them into a 3 day plan would be GREAT! And, I could do some planks, side planks, bird dogs, etc. almost every night before bed. Just need to make myself do it!
- Learn New Bagpipe Tunes:
- Not running related, but I have been wanting to learn a few jigs, reels, and marches to be able to play at weddings. I also would like to learn a few more tunes to be able to play at funerals. If I can become more confident with my playing and build a better tune selection, I can make some money playing. Picking a few tunes and working on them during my luch hour (on the practice chanter) will get me where I want to be. And that means more running shoes, race entries.....
- Get My Dogs Ready for Obedience Trials:
- I've been training Auto in obedience for two years. He's almost ready to step into the obedience show ring, but I have to build his confidence a little more. I just need to work with him a little more and we'll be good to go. Continuing going to dog classes and adding a little training during the week will get us there. Onyx is 4 month old now. I'll start showing her in Conformation in a few weeks; however, I want to keep up her obedience training as well and have her ready to start trialing by the summer of 2018.
- Maintain this Blog
- Doesn't sound too hard? Just have to make sure I keep up with it!
And there they are. My 2017 goals and ambitions. Publicly announced! Now, to go work on them!!!
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