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

2013 in Review

Ah, it’s time for the most difficult post of the year. Looking back on 2013 is going to be tough because it was a year of huge change and growth, quite a few firsts, and a full race calendar. These kinds of posts tend to be pretty personal, so I understand if it's not interesting for my usual readers. Still, if you'll allow some self-indulgence, here's my reflection on 2013.

First, here are some of my favorite posts from the year:

January: Worth Its Weight, in which I ruminate on the excellent article "The 25 Golden Rules of Running."

February: Running's Hidden Gifts, wherein I contemplate laundry day and eczema, and Gear Report: Strength and Stretch Edition, where I post awkward photos of how to use a resistance band and foam roller for hip strength and ITBS relief.

March: The Fast and the Furriest race recap. Not only was this a PR at the time, but I met goal #1 for the year and got to run with Kim!

April: I Wish I Knew Then...a little list of things I learned the hard way when I took up running.

May: This is a hard month for running. Both of my favorite posts weren't running related. DC (a reflection on chaperoning my students' trip to the capital) and The End Draws Nigh (about the pit-falls and wonders of teaching) are both teaching-related.

June: Wow, so many good ones to choose from! Here are a couple: A Health Post, in which I talk a little about my angioedema; Handling Honkers, a post in which I take advice from Mr. Rogers and consider flipping the bird at honkers; Smile! You're Running!, in which I fight my natural Bitchy Resting Face; and A Blog in 3 Parts, in which I discuss the RW Running Streak, an old friend's wedding, and my dad.

July: A Very Special Blog Post, a non-running entry for Matt's and my third wedding anniversary; The 10 Commandments of Running is a must-read, of course!; and most importantly, What I've Learned, my reflection on the Runner's Streak as it came to an end.

August: My guest post over at See This Girl Run was definitely one of my favorites to write. It was a necessary kick in the pants. I also loved You Know You're a Runner When.

September: 10 Things You Learn When You Start Running...another list that still resonates whenever I reread it.

October: My recap for my first 15k, because the race and the positivity surrounding it still make me smile when I look back at it.

November: A Daring Heart, in which I admit that I'm a scaredy-cat but am trying to learn to be brave, and my recap of the FMB Half, which was supposed to be my first full and during which I found a strength I didn't know I had.

December: The Perfect Weekend...a run, a recovered bird, and a party with friends.

Now let’s take a look at last year’s resolutions.

My 2013 resolutions.

1. I can't believe I almost sidelined this goal. But in the end, I not only broke into the 28s early in the year (and ran with Kim in doing so!), but I also smashed into the 27s! I haven't repeated the performance yet, so I can't say I've been consistent, but this goal was met.

2. I did run two more half marathons this year - the Naples Half in January and the Fort Myers Beach Half in November. Neither were pretty, and neither were anywhere close to my previous PR or my goal of 2:10. But the latter especially taught me a lot about perseverance and inner strength.

3. I missed racing in May, June, and August, but ran 12 total, doubling up during the months in which I did race. I'm going to call this one a pass because the goal is really about staying on top of training and running the equivalent to a race a month. The breakdown goes: six 5ks, two 10ks, one 15k, one 8-mile relay, and two half marathons.

4. DONE. I ran my first 15-miler this year. Although it's probably what brought on my foot injury, the fact that I was able to complete it was a point of pride this year.

5. For the most part, I avoided a lot of negative thinking this year. I focused on myself and what I needed to do as a runner. I came into 2013 facing burnout, but once I got over that hurdle, the rest of the year was smooth-sailing mentally!

Looking back, I see that this was a year of set-backs, but I refused to give in. I faced injuries and illness, especially as my big fall races came up, but I had learned through the summer run streak that I’m strong enough to push through challenges.

The biggest success of this year isn’t training mostly alone or setting a 5k PR that was so beyond my wildest dreams. It was pushing myself to run the streak fully. I didn’t let myself back out. I'd had no idea when I began the streak how much it would change me; I credit it for the mental fortitude I have now, as the year draws to a close.

This was also the year of meeting my Ragnar teammates, finally running a race with my sister, and my longest long-run ever.

It was a year of finding my commitment and accountability. I’m looking forward to taking who I am now into 2014. I'm so grateful for this year, because it has finally given me the foundation I need to step up my game and meet next year's goals.

How was your 2013?
How would you describe your year in 3 words or fewer? Positivity and growth.

ABK

2012 Year End Report

2012 was a roaring success. I'm so happy DailyMile sends out these yearly reports, because it puts things in perspective. My original definition of running more "consistently" meant I'd see no more blank months. Clearly, that worked. My two lowest mileage months - May and June - were both months during which I traveled.

Mileage went way up once I started running in the mornings (early August).

I can't complain. Here's to 2013!

Not too shabby!

I don't like to give myself a yearly mileage goal, so my 2013 resolutions stand as they are. I'd just like to have another active, successful year.

ABK

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

2012 in Review

I'm not even sure how to begin this entry. 2012 has been a year of tremendous growth, a year wherein I proved to myself over and over that I can truly call myself a runner. I think if I were to sum up the year in a single thought, that would be it. I have officially abandoned the phrase "I run" and adopted the title of "runner", and this part of my identity has become a bigger part of my life than I could have imagined.

This is the year I found myself thinking about my next run while in the middle of a run, the year I would replay runs and races in my head during the day, the year I lusted after quality gear instead of settling for what was inexpensive and convenient. This was the year that running changed from a hobby to a lifestyle.

To start this entry right, let's talk about my 2012 New Year's resolutions.

My computer background for all of 2012.

 1. Run a race monthly? I met that goal head-on. During the summer, when races were scarce, this meant running the FMTC 2-mile fun runs; they're bib-free, but there's a timer at the end, so they had to count. The only month I didn't race was December, and given the holiday season and dearth of races, I'm not counting that as a loss, either.

2. Run a 10k. I ran two this year! One in October and one in November. The Race for F.I.S.H was the best racing experience I've had. Not only did it challenge me because it was my first long-distance race (besides the first Half, which doesn't count), but also because I destroyed my time goal and the race was beautiful and painless. I seriously love this distance, and even though the Turkey Trot in November was painful and slow - being only four days post-Half and all - I'm glad I had a chance to try this distance out a couple times.

3. Keep blogging...well, obviously that worked. And the blog served its purpose: it kept me motivated to run. The blog actually did more than I thought; besides keeping me accountable for my resolutions, it helped to spread my love of running to others.

4. This goal was a bit skewed. Because the Rock 'n Roll Half was non-existent in November (it was a February race) it was impossible to meet this one. That said, I did run a Half in November, just one of a different name, and I think that definitely counts. I ran the entire thing without stopping, had a great time, experienced very little pain, met my pace goal down to the second, and set a new PR by 40 minutes. Talk about success!

With that all summed up, let's look at some other high points of 2012. Here are my stats from the beginning of this blog up to now:

Stats	January 2012	December 2012
Total mileage on Nike+	237.46	676 (448.19 in 2012)
Total mileage on DailyMile	192.18	651 (469 in 2012)

While the two websites have some discrepancies (mostly because I can input runs manually on DM and often shaved off some distance if I thought my Nike+ wasn't accurate), I've put in well over 400 miles this year. That's unheard of for me! Those starting miles in the January 2012 column include all my running since I began...2009 through the end of 2011. What an insane difference!

Finishing the Fast & the Furriest in 9:31

This year, I ran my first solo race and came in under 30 minutes for the first time in what felt like...forever. The Fast and the Furriest proved to me that I could be motivated to run races independently, set my own pace, and run faster than I thought I could. In fact, this whole year saw my pace improving for the most part, but I think this was the first real example of it in a race.

This was also the year M began running races with me. K was on maternity leave, and M saw me run the Fast and the Furriest and told me, "I should've run that with you." Next thing you know, he's running 5, 8, and 10ks with me!

African Aid 5k...first race with M!

I ran a total of 11 races this year: seven 5ks, one 8k, two 10ks, and one Half. It was so cool to have a totally full race schedule some months, to be constantly training and meeting goals, to collect bib after bib. I loved that about this year!

This year I made two huge changes to my running schedule. The first was that finally, after trying and failing all summer, I became a morning runner. While I can still enjoy an evening run once in awhile, my schedule consists almost entirely of running well before the sun comes up. This change was another thing that made me feel like a real runner - if you're willing to wake up at 4:10am to fit in a real workout before heading to work, that gives you hardcore points! I actually have to admit that I enjoy morning runs more than evening runs. They make my nights way less stressful and give me energy for the day. My students can tell the mornings I've skipped a run because I'm moody and sluggish. Morning runs have had a surprisingly positive impact on my life.

Sanibel Race for FISH...my first 10k

 The second change was that I finally began fitting long runs into my training. Whereas before I'd hardly run more than 3.5 miles at a time, this year my daily runs were 4-milers and my weekend runs ranged from 6 to 13 miles. Breaking through that barrier did something for me mentally. I'd forgotten how daunting 4-milers could be, and now I can run a 5-miler without any extra preparation, and can run 6+ miles if I keep my pace at a more comfortable level.

Over all, I'd say this was a very successful year. I'm struggling with some burnout and ITBS pain right now, but I know it will pass. I stuck to my resolutions and made great strides. I set a few new PRs, ran more than 4 miles on a solo run, and tried out all different distances. I'm by no means where I want to be for the rest of my running career, but I consider this my first official year as a runner. I have a long way to go; this year has created a strong foundation for next year...and the next...and so forth.

Biggest goal of the year - met!

Finally, onto my 2013 resolutions. I'm still tweaking them to be where I want them exactly, but I'm playing with the idea of a new time-goal for my 5ks, monthly distance goals, and a long-run goal above and beyond what I've run yet...I may be interested in doing a full marathon in 2014, and I want to see what I'm capable of.

The official resolutions for 2013 will have to wait for another entry. For now, I'm basking in this little space of time where 2012 resolutions are finalized and 2013 has yet to begin.

Have a happy and safe New Year!

ABK