Friday, January 4, 2013

2013 Resolutions...Finally

Nice to get in a good run after I struggled so much earlier this week. Once again I see how much the sun affects me, both mentally and physically. I had a great nighttime tempo run with M, and am officially feeling back on track and ready for 2013. So, without further ado...

I have a very good reason for posting my 2013 new year's resolutions approximately a week late. Studies have shown that you are more likely to keep a resolution if you put time and thought into crafting it. No drunken "I'M GOING TO TRAVEL THE WORLD!" proclamations will do. As such, I usually begin thinking about my resolutions post-Christmas but don't finalize them until the new year has had a chance to set in. That way, I feel ready to let go of the old and welcome the new.

In my goodbye-2012 post, I looked back at my resolutions and summed up how far I'd gotten. I'm mostly pleased with this year's accomplishments, but for some reason I feel let down. Maybe because my last big hurrah of the year was so late in the year - my major goal was set for November, and when I met it, all the wind went out of my sails. That leaves an almost anti-climatic feeling in regard to the final month of 2012, and it's time to shake that. How? Why, by setting in stone (or at least, computer background) the next batch of resolutions!

My 2013 resolutions are detailed this year. I try to steer clear of that because the more detailed I am, the higher my chance of falling short. I like to meet my resolutions…so, the actual goals are numbered; the lettered detail(s) beneath those are my “go the extra mile” goals that I’d like to reach, but I've decided in advance to go easy on myself if I miss them. Seems like I maybe went too in-depth here, but I'm planning to have a really great year to look forward to.

2013 computer background...best way to keep my eye on the prize!

1. This one will be, I think, the hardest. I'm not really in running for speed, and lately I've gotten a lot more out of my relaxed runs than the ones where I'm trying to improve on something. Still, I've been in the 29s for two years now. I'd like to see the 28s.

2. I already have two or three lined up this year, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, this one should be easy. I'm aiming for 2:10, but if I can break 2:10 this year I'd be really pleased. It's much faster than I'm comfortable with, but a fair goal to try for.

3. Same as last year...summer races not included because, of course, when race season ends, it's hard to find actual races. If I can find races in June/July/August, I'll plan to sign up.

4. I think this one is self-explanatory. I'm playing with the idea of running a full marathon either in November 2013 or sometime in 2014, and a super-long-run will help me figure out if I'm feeling ready.

5. This may be the hardest goal to keep. I want to avoid getting bogged down. I love training for races - it keeps me motivated and having fun. Still, I need to focus on where I personally want to see growth and on what makes me a happy runner. And yes, of course I'm not going to give up the blog just because 2012 is over!

(I now realize #5 is the only one I ended with a period. Because this annoys me, I had to share the grammatical error so that I'm not alone in my annoyance. You're welcome.)

So far my 2013 race season looks like this: 

January: Naples Half Marathon
February: FGCU 10k and Edison Festival of Light 5k
March: Hooters Half Marathon, Race for the Cure 5k, and the Fast and the Furriest 5k
April: 10k Run for the Music (Naples)
May: Turtle Trot 5k (Lover's Key)
November: Fort Myers Beach Half (or full) Marathon

(List compiled by K at her resolutions post and stolen by yours truly.)

...Obviously I'm still getting the details worked out. Hey, I can only commit to races that have been set up at this point!

Okay, so that's that. My new year starts...NOW.

ABK

4 comments:

  1. thinking about running a full huh? nice!! thought you said you had no desire for the 26.2 :D those sound like great goals - good for you! I need to figure out some races so I have more motivation then just the full in October - I have way too much time to train and want to have some fun this year.

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    1. I wondered if you'd notice that goal ;o) What actually started me on the track of long distance running was the urge to do a marathon, but my running buddy has zero interest. After running my first half, I felt like if I ever ran a full, it'd be YEARS down the line. But this year something clicked. A handful of my friends have run a full and it made me realize I could do it, even if it means training alone. So...I going to just see how I feel. Nothing set in stone yet.

      Which training method are you planning to use?

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  2. eee yay! I'm reading Kara Goucher's book right now and I like her plan (unfortunately don't have the book in front of me but it's a fairly standard one, 3 runs a week, 1 long). I think I just really need to get enough in shape to determine what kind of a plan is right for me, fitness wise. I have no idea what my pace/time will be, just some obvious goals (sub 5 hrs, hopefully in the 4:30 realm, etc) but I can probably only run 3-4 miles right now. I plan to reevaluate in April or so and get hardcore on training. what about you? (training method)

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    1. I'm using this site: http://www.marathonrookie.com/marathon-training.html Most training guides are for about 18 weeks, so I won't begin until this race season is over. I'll spend the summer working on speed, then transition into the actual plan.

      Right now - if I really go through with it - the plan is to aim for under 5 hours and avoid injuring myself haha. I'm okay with taking a couple walk/bathroom breaks if necessary, and I'd like to average a 10:30 pace.

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