Running in 2011: Reflections and Aspirations

Looking over my Garmin history for 2010, I logged over 600 miles. Most of these were in the second half of the year as I started to focus in on my goal of a marathon rather than just aimlessly trying to keep up with my running when I felt like it or found some extra time (hint: neither of these happened regularly). In my lowest month, March, I only clocked 2 miles, and of course sitting here now I can come up with half a dozen better things I was doing at that time in my life, very few of which involved exercise and most of which are merely excuses. As hard as I had worked the year before, capped off with my then-PR in Vegas, I no longer made running a priority and didn't make time for it in my life. Anyone who expects to run faster or complete longer distances can't do so without incorporating a consistent routine into their schedule.


It was last summer that I met my coach, and my mileage really started increasing in August; December's grand total shows 119 miles, and I can truly see that my training has prepared me well for my marathon two weeks from today. One race, 26.2 miles, I'm ready. But then what? It's time for new goals.

Goals are a great way of aiming for something that will take effort and dedication. And certainly the onset of a new year is an ideal time to reflect on where you're at, where you'd like to be, and how you'll go about getting there and what milestones you can aim for on the way.

For me this year, my running goals are to run 1,000 miles throughout the year and to set a PR for the 5k, 10k, 10 mile, and half marathon distances in addition to completing my marathon in Phoenix. These may sound impossible to those who are just getting started running, but they are realistic for me based on my training (and provided that I don't slack off again!)

2011 is already off to a good start, having run both days of it so far. The first run wasn't just any run, it was a 5k capped off by a refreshing leap into Lake Washington (at 41 degrees it was at least warmer than the air outside at the time!) I wouldn't have thought of this on my own, but rather it was highly suggested that I give it a try as a way to incorporate running with the welcome of a new year. It wasn't quite the "coup de grace of all dares, the sinister triple-dog-dare" to get me to sign up, but pretty close. It was awesome, and now that I've done it I'm all for doing it again next year (and being on the suggesting end to encourage others!) It reminded me of how much I love participating in races and how good I feel when I run, just what I needed to keep up my motivation.

So I encourage you to set some goals, be it running or some other form of physical activity that suits your interests, as a way of making yourself reach for a better version of you. Even if a 5k seems to be a bit too much to start with, pick a shorter distance and build on it, step by step, until you get to that desired point. Even walking is forward progress, as long as you don't quit and make the time, rather than hope to find the time, to reach your goals.