2013 Goals

Well, this is really a hard post.  Personally, I haven't "settled" on firm goals yet.  And, there will be more off and on throughout the year that will be met as they are completed.  You know, when you decide to put it all in writing, it seems like it is in blood and can't be changed.  It is, also, disheartening when early on you're goal is missed.  Well, that happened to me last year when I contracted bronchitis in late February.  Don't know if I've ever had bronchitis before but feel this was gotten through my bad allergies.  It caused me to drop two half marathons [which would have surpassed my goal of 3 for the year].  Another goal missed was when I didn't get in the Marine Corp Marathon...I was heart broken, to say the least!  I've been wanting to do this one for a long time.  I don't know that I'll be able to ever do this one since I had plans to stay with my nephew and his wife who lives in the area but he will be transferred next May and won't be in the area.  The cost is primary in this race and is so over my head.  It is still on my bucket list but not as appealing as before.  So sad...

There are some goals I want to achieve in 2013 and there are some goals that may be dropped, added or revised as time goes on.  But, for the most part, I want them to stay in place.  These "numbered" goals are not necessarily in order...just numbered for distinction.  So, let's go...

Goal #1:  Run the Rock 'n Roll Marathon in New Orleans.  Yes, I want to do another one.  I am in training right now and, so far, all is going well.  I ran 16 miles on December 31 and was pleased.  My goal this time is different than the first one.  This time, I want to finish strong, uninjured, and a better time than the last one.  As long as I cross the line, this will be a great accomplishment, regardless.  As a matter of fact, I'd love to shoot for doing one in Disney at the end of the year, but not sure that one will come to fruition due to the distance and cost.  I would LOVE one of those medals!!  I'll have to depend on someone else to share expenses with me.  We'll see how that one comes out.

Goal #2:  Three Half Marathons.  I hope to do more but I feel three is achievable for the entire year.  Maybe I should be more aggressive in this goal.  I was ahead of the game last year until I got sick and it caused me to cancel two, which actually made me short of my goal of three.  Guess I'm a little humbled by that experience.  Half's are nothing to snivvle at.  I am NOT a summer/hot weather runner so those months are out as far as training for long distance races.

Goal #3:  Maintain a weight in the 130's.  Last year my weight stayed in the low 140's but I was not pleased with that because I KNOW I can do better.  In my best weight loss year [2009], I lost down in the mid 120's but felt that was too small for me and my frame.  I'm more comfortable in the 130's, which is what I'm shooting for as an average for 2013.  Thankfully, the weight has not been enough difference to constitute a different clothes size.  It was more a redistribution of where my weight went. 

Goal #4:  A new goal for me is to shoot for running 1,000 miles this year.  That will be approximately 21 miles a week or 83.5 miles a month.  I feel that is a very, reasonable goal for the year.  This is exciting.  My first year to put down a yearly mileage...woo-hoo!

Goal #5:  Being consistent with weights each week as well as with cross training.  This is a real challenge for me.  I have to push myself to doing anything other than running and will talk myself out of it any way I can.  I'll have to find something that keeps my interest for this to work.  Maybe monthly workout challenges will help.  Being on my own didn't work last year.  I'm just a cheater if I can get away with it, ha!!  Gotta work on this goal. 

Goal #6:  I hope to get a piece of fruit in my body every day.  It doesn't matter what it is, but dried and juice does not count...which I rarely have those anyway.  Summer is so much easier than the winter months. 

Goal #7:  I want to run a new [for me] half marathon.  I have several I'd like to do and hope I'll be able to include these in my goal of three half's for the  year.

I am living in an exciting period in my life.  Having only started running since September of '08, I've done more than I ever thought I would at the ripe age of 52!  Yeah, it's not the ideal time to "start" this great sport.  After all, your better times and races have passed you. BUT, I'm so glad that I finally joined the team.   I've acquired so many trophies, awards, recognition AND State Records.  I, also, started at a great time.  Trophies/Awards are now being done creatively; hence, I have some really special ones like a jeweled Mardi Gras mask, beautiful beveled glass ones, handmade clay ones [made by handicapped children and some from clay artists], handmade pinecone ones, ALL of my half marathon medals and many, many more that don't come to my mind right now.  I'd have never guessed in a million years I could have participated in so many races.  On top of that, when I began running in half marathons, I was just excited to participate in them and try to improve my time in each race, but I've placed in several of those, too!

I've met so many wonderful people.  One I see every year in the Gulf Shores area.  She comes down for the winter and is from Canada.  She told me the other day that she is 75 and she looks great AND is still running.  She had gotten in 7 miles the day before.  This is nothing as she has run so many marathons all over the world.  I'm thankful I met her as she inspires me soooo much.  And, thanks to Facebook, I have friends all over this country that enjoy the same sport and we share our ups and downs.  I love when I meet them in person.  It is like getting with friends that you haven't seen in a long time yet you've never met.  And, one more thing about FB...my friends there encourage me so much and give me just what I need to continue, push, or rest.  I love them all!  Now, that I turned 57 a couple of weeks ago, I'm excited to say that I'm training for my second marathon in February.  Marathon...did you hear??  26 miles!!  It's still surreal to me!! 

It seems impossible that this sport has become so important to me.  I feel great and healthier than I have in years.  If only I could get some of my friends to get out and do "something" even if walking is all that interests them.  Once running became a constant part of my life, their interest waned more and more and now have resorted to their "age" and "that's the way it is" status and our relationship has become further apart.  It's like a guilt thing and it's easier to not associate with "the guilt" than it is to wallow in it where you have a lot of company.  I'm here to tell anyone that they have believed a lie!!!  YOU have control of your life and unless you are crippled or confined to a wheelchair or can't walk or have any medical reason, you are cutting your life shorter than it would be if you'd make just a little bit of effort.  There's nothing like feeling good because you work hard.  Life is not given to us to become weak, lazy and overweight...stand up and take control!!  I say that emphatically!!!  Because I love you!!

One more thing before I end this post.  There is one friend that I depend on when I have ANY question.  She never thinks it's not important and is ALWAYS willing to help out a newbie, one MUCH older than her.  Thank you so much!!!!!!  I think you know who you are because I bug you all the time...lol.  I hope to inspire others as I have been inspired.  So many have played such a signifcant role in my life.  And, I couldn't end this without saying my biggest cheerleader is my husband!  He is amazing and I couldn't do it without him!! 

Without further ado, it's really easy...just go

Run 4 It!