2015 Resolutions

While 2014 had its highlights, most of them occurred at the beginning of the year. By the end, my speed was dwindling, I wasn't racing or running as consistently, and other than my marathon, I didn't experience many proud moments.

I want to make sure my accomplishments carry me all the way through 2015. I've spent a couple weeks (as is usual for me) finessing my resolutions and figuring out action steps to reach each goal.

 My first resolution is consistency. In 2013 I was running at least three times during the week, and each run was at least 4 miles. Then I'd add a long run if I was training for a race. In 2014, in order to accommodate marathon training, I only ran three times a week to avoid overuse injuries.

I think I would have raced stronger and been better prepared if I had stuck with four runs a week.

I will commit to running three 4-6 milers during the week and one long-run on the weekends.

Although I meant to cross-train more consistently last year, I definitely didn't meet that goal in the way I wanted.

This year, I'm going to shop around for gyms so that I can start weight-lifting again. I also need to work on my flexibility, and I will incorporate a day of yoga or Pilates into my weekly schedule. I will be more consistent with my core-work.

I've joined a push-up challenge group through my Sub-30 group, and my goal at the moment there is to do 10 pushups a day. Some people are aiming for 20,000 this year! I do hope to get strong enough to do 20 a day.

Specifically, I am gearing toward a new half or 10k PR. After Ragnar in 2014, I was able to obliterate my last half PR by four minutes. I think that after running a marathon, I should be able to PR a half. Ideally I'd like to break 2:10 for a half or 58 minutes for a 10k, but any PR will do!

PR's don't happen by accident, of course. I'm going to be better about my speedwork this year. Whether that means running 400s and 800s, working on hills more often, or learning to embrace the tempo run, I will do speedwork at least once every two weeks.

(I'm was going to say once a week, but I've decided to listen to this article and not over-do it, at least without a goal-race in mind.)

Honestly, this seems like a lot. I know that when you set up a lot of big goals at once, it's easy to give up. But I plan to incorporate the goals into my year slowly and with purpose. That way, instead of starting the year strong but then drifting as fall approaches, I'll be building on my goals as the year goes on.

I'm not sure what my race schedule will look like this year. While I miss running 12 races a year, I can't really justify the cost. I only ran one or two 5ks last year, so I'd really like to refocus on that distance. And of course, I'm playing with the idea of a second marathon sooner rather than later.

I am signed up for a 10k in April (the Shark's Tooth that I did last year). The course is warm but flat and I think I could PR on it. I'm also signed up for a half in March (the Sarasota First Watch, which I've never run before). I've heard good things but the giant bridge makes me nervous. I may run the Paradise Coast Half on my birthday again and aim to PR that one, but that also depends on whether or not I'll be running a full that day!

Outside of those two races I'm already signed up for, my plans are still nebulous. I have time to get them in order. At the moment, I'm more concerned with taking these foundational resolutions and running with them. (Haha.)

In 2014, my word was dedication. This year, it's consistency.

What are your goals for 2015? 

ABK