What's New?

Many people start out the new year with making resolutions only to have broken most of them by the end of February...at the latest. I've toyed with that word for years even changing it to "goals" each year. Looking up the definitions of both, here's what I found. A resolution is a firm decision to do or not do something while a goal is the object of a person's ambition or effort [an aim or desired result]. So it takes goals to achieve resolutions. They go hand-in-hand. I always thought resolutions were impossible to keep but come to find out they failed because they didn't have goals attached to them for achieving. Now, I also think that resolutions are things that should/need to be "changed" as opposed to hitting the bull's eye on a target board. For example, losing so many pounds; not that that's a bad thing. So, let's start the year with resolutions that have goals attached to them so we can hit the bull's eye by a specified date, even if that date has to be revised.

If you'll notice on the right side, I've set goals for 2018. As most of you know, I have a new GOOD bike. So, this year, I want to ride more when it warms up. Along with that, I want to improve my gear shifting. This hasn't come natural for me at all. I struggle with it a lot. This year, I'm hoping to actually get hold of how and when to shift my gears and not be afraid to push through this training period. My goal here is to ride more miles this year and in doing so learn more about shifting. The mileage is accountable and shooting for shifting improvement by the end of the year.

The third one, strength training, is accountable as it can be checked off. Now, to DO it cause it CAN be done. It is necessary, especially as we age, to maintain good core strength. This can be done at Rocking Boot Camp where I attend most days or at home using my body weight. The fourth one, running 600 miles, is like the first, a goal that can be marked off. I WILL accomplish this and hopefully at the same time checking off the fifth goal of running without walking. This will depend on whether I stay injury/sick free. Time will tell on this one; but I will not give up on this.

The next two will be difficult to measure and not sure how it can be done outside of mentally taking strides to improve. I hope I can stop eating processed sugar [cakes, cookies, etc.] completely but know that I won't be able to live up to that one completely; hence, the 75% of the time. My name is Robbie Headrick and I am a sugar-holic. Yes, even something like this takes more mental strength than anything else. Also, I realized that negative thinking seem to surround me. I didn't realize it so much until I was speaking with my trainer about my goals and she "caught" me several times tossing out negative words so easily. I will work on this daily...both of these things.

And, finally, Never, Never Give Up!! As hard as 2017 was for me and as many things as I had to change, it was in looking over the year that I realized that I pushed through some tough times and achieved more than I would have ever guessed I could. Injury after injury attacked me. And, though I never "counted" walking as exercising, my mindset changed. I mean, after all, I AM a runner! Not walker! But in order to "not give up", I pushed through and walked when I couldn't run, even in races. Last year proved that I am strong willed, determined and don't give up easily. I intend to continue this mindset in order to stop the negative thinking that has plagued me for TWO years. Yes, I will do it!

I may not be as young as most but I will do what I can to compete with those my age. Yes, this will be the year of improvement and going forward. Just yesterday, I ran 2.17 miles without stopping. I couldn't believe it! Yes, it can be done and this will be a great year with many new challenges ahead. I will enjoy life more and stop being so critical.

As far as you go, reach and stretch forward and let's both go

Run 4 It