Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014 Resolutions and Races

Last night, as we watched various "looking back at 2013" shows while waiting for the ball to drop, there was one segment wherein celebrities weighed in on making resolutions. The statistic thrown out there was that only 8% of people keep them, and therefore it's stupid to make them.
We spent the new year playing games and cooking over a bonfire.
I don't know; in the case of all those celebrities, I think admitting you're too flaky to commit to a goal for the year isn't something to be proud of. And I do think setting goals throughout the year and re-evaluating as necessary is really important, too.

But for me...well, running-related resolutions have gotten me this far, and for me they've become an important tradition that keeps my training focused and moving forward.

Last year, my resolutions got a bit long-winded. This year, I'm going for simplicity in statement, but the resolutions themselves are going to be challenging.
My main goal this year is to strengthen my body in order to improve my over-all fitness for running. I am going to really focus on incorporating squats and lunges into my rest days. I've also been doing two planks a day, one as soon as I wake up, and one before bed; among other core-strengthening exercises, I plan to keep that up.

I'm going to achieve this goal by researching different exercises to avoid getting bored and going to the gym more consistently.

I need to be more conscious this year about how I treat my body daily, not only for running, but for my health in general. I'm going to be smarter about eating a balanced diet, drinking enough water, and getting to bed at a decent hour. I also need to continue to be smart about my training, taking breaks if necessary, and adjusting my training plans to what fits my needs.

This goal always serves me well. Like last year, and the year before, I plan to run a race a month. However, certain months don't offer nearby races to choose from, and I wanted to add some flexibility in case of injury. So I've edited this one to be a little less stringent but still meet its main purpose, which is to make sure I run 12 races a year.

This may be the most important resolution of all! I began 2013 in a slump and it took until the RW Summer Run Streak to really break out of it fully. I don't want to face that again. I'm starting this year motivated and excited to run, and I want to keep it that way!

Of course, the question of how exactly is a little tricky. Sometimes we get into ruts and it can be tough to get out. So I'm simply going to do my best to avoid getting into a rut in the first place; I have races lined up that I'm excited for, I'm not focusing too much on numbers and stats, and I'm just enjoying it.

Later this year, I'll probably start to work on improving my times again, but I think it's more important to have fun during training right now, especially with a half and Ragnar just around the corner!

Which brings me to races! Here's the line up for the year so far:

January: Suncoast Half Marathon
February: Ragnar and possibly the Paradise Coast Half Marathon
March: Komen 5k Race for a Cure, possibly the Marco Island Bridge Run Half Marathon, and the Fast and the Furriest 5k.
April: Shark's Tooth 10k

 I'm still working on piecing together May through December, but I'm hoping to run some of the races I did last year again, and I'm considering adding another half marathon in November or December.

Cori at Olive to Run posted the other day about choosing a single word to represent your goals for the year. After some thought, I've chosen "dedication" as my word. In order to fulfill my goals and resolutions, I know I will have to be dedicated to putting in time and effort, even on the days I'm not feeling it. Hell, especially on those days!

As it is, I'm actually really excited for this year. I have a good feeling about 2014!

Have you set a race calendar for 2014?
What are you most looking forward to this year?
What are you letting go and leaving behind in 2013?

ABK

24 comments:

  1. Great Post & Happy New Year!
    I like the simplicity of your resolutions. I especially like the 'one word' reference. That gives me something to think about.

    I haven't really nailed any races down onto my running calendar yet, with the exception of 2 big ones I have my eye on. I like how you already have some races to work towards as training motivation. The only times I really feel like I've hit a slump with motivation is when I don't have a race in the near future. I need something to work toward for sure.

    Happy Running Ali :)

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    1. It's definitely true that when I have no races to train for, I get into a slump...but I've also found they have to be races I'm excited for! I think I have a pretty good mix this year!

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  2. I read Olive's post the other day and have been trying to fit of an appropriate word...I haven't come up with one yet...but I might steal yours. ;-) I have a couple races in mind for this year...one new one in Februrary (an 8k) and then some repeats from last year that I enjoyed. My biggest resolution is to try and be more aware of my choices in terms of eating and staying active...at times this is hard...especially at work...but I'm going to try.

    Can't wait to follow your 2014 adventures!!!

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    1. haha, my word is your word! I'm happy to share.

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  3. Do you think you'll attempt the full marathon again in 2014? Is you foot completely healed?

    I seriously admire your one race per month commitment! I don't think I could do it. Races stress me out too much even if they are for fun. I think I'll only be doing 3 of them next year (the Disney half in Feb, the Portland Marathon in Oct. and then hopefully a 50K in Nov/Dec).

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    1. .... and that 10K in Sanibel with you, hopefully! :)

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    2. My foot is healed, but I'm going to wait and see how the winter/spring goes. I'm thinking maybe a full marathon in winter 2015, in February possibly. The ING in Miami or the Space Coast in Melbourne might be nice, and I'm hoping the weather is better in winter than it's been in the fall. I can't do my first marathon in 80 degrees!

      You have some big goals, I love it! YES you should totally run that 10k with me!!

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  4. Those are all very healthy, balanced resolutions! I think the reason only 8% of people keep their resolutions is because they set themselves up for failure from the get go. Sure, I could resolve to never eat ice cream again, but I would break that resolution 4 days into the new year! And then I would give up and just gorge on ice cream because I already ruined the resolution. Balanced, flexible resolutions are more realistic! I am excited that you're going to start doing the squats and stuff. I think it will make you a faster runner. :) If you're worried about getting bored, you could make a HIIT circuit for yourself that could incorporate the strengthening things you want. I never get bored with HIIT circuits... I'm too busy trying to make it through without collapsing to get bored!

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    1. Agreed, I think people make huge resolutions that have no flexibility, and they make them on the spur of the moment. I've been ruminating on mine for weeks haha!

      I have no clue how to do HIIT, but I'm going to look it up and also use the Nike training app to help, and I know you posted one near Christmas I'm going to try. This is all new to me, so it's a little daunting, but should be fun!

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    2. Oh you will love it! Just anything high intensity. The thing I posted w/ the 12 days of Christmas is a good example. So are deck of cards workouts- you assign an exercise to each suit, then pick a card and do that many reps. So like if hearts are burpees and you pick the 6 of hearts, you do 6 burpees. I loooooooooooooove/haaaaaaaaaaate deck of cards workouts! But they are cool because you pick your own exercises!

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  5. I love all your resolutions! I agree with Megan - people set themselves up for failure, either by thinking they won't be able to keep the resolution they made or by making too big of a resolution, like no junk food, and not realistically being able to keep it!

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  6. You have fantastic resolutions! I am so glad I found your blog this year. Yours is definitely one of my favorite. You are so positive and yet stay completely realistic. I know you will keep your resolutions and I cannot wait to continue reading about them!

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    1. Ah, thank you! I feel the same way about yours!

      Be prepared...I may come to you for help when it comes to lifting!

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  7. I think these are all very "doable" and "stickable" (are those even words...lol?!?) to attain this year! My word from the Cori's post is accountable

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    1. Doable and stickable are totally words! (Okay, doable is, but we can just pretend stickable is too haha.) Accountable is a GREAT word. I tried to work on personal accountability a lot this past year.

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  8. I feel like there is a difference between a resolution and a goal. In my mind, a resolution is "Go to the gym more," while a goal is more specific and measurable, like "Exercise 3 days a week for 30 minutes a day." Not to say there's no place for the former but it's a lot easier to accomplish something if you know what you're trying to do. Enjoy the journey!

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    1. I think I see "goals" as the specific steps used to reach your more general "resolution." Either way, I think it's good to have a focus for a set amount of time, whether it's yearly or monthly or weekly, and year-long resolutions work for me!

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  9. Loved this post Ali!!!!
    These are amazing goals to have this year! You are a rock star!
    I agree that small goals help us succeed much more than a larger goal. I wish I had realized this last year when I was training for my second half!!! Can't wait to keep reading your blog this year! YOU ROCK!

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    1. I think this is going to be a great year for all of us :o)

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  10. I love the idea of running a race a month, that's a great idea! I enjoyed all of your goals and I like to see goals that are do-able. One of my non fitness goals this year is to "love more and worry less" I think that would make for a happier life! :)

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    1. I love the "love more, worry less" goal! Sometimes it's easier said than done, but if you're always trying to focus on that, it would make life so much nicer!

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  11. Your word for 2014 is a perfect fit :) I love it!

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    1. Thanks for introducing me to the idea of One Word...such a great plan!

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