It seems like it was just a few weeks ago that I was putting in some freezing cold miles in the bitter cold of the "brisk" winter we had here in Wisconsin. Now we are halfway through July, summer vacation is half over and we are already starting to think about fall and back to school.
I figured this was a good time to look back on some of the goals that I set for this year, things I wanted to do and see where I stand with those goals now.
1. 750in2014 - After running/walking 319.95 miles in 2013, I decided that I needed to raise the bar! My goal is to hit 750 miles in 2014 (between running, walking and biking combined). I know that there were a few more miles that I walked in 2013 that I did not log, but it was no where near another 400+ miles. In order to hit 750 miles this year, I was going to need to log about 62 miles per month. At the end of June, I was at 318 miles... quite a bit short of where I should be for the year. I know that I have many more miles to come this year as I still have several Half Marathons in my future. Based on where I am now, I am going to need to kick into high gear and average 70 miles per month to hit my goal. Granted, I know that I can help these miles out my getting in some biking too (my bike has not been out on enough of the awesome country roads yet this year!) but these feet need to get moving!
2. Run my first Full Marathon - Cellcom 2014 was on my radar as the first full marathon I was going to run. Unfortunately, as you all know, that didn't happen. My IT Bands had other plans for me. I ended up having to back off my training miles and take a look getting myself back on track. I ended up with an awesome Physical Therapist who not only got me back on track with no knee pain but also made sure that I started getting in the proper strength exercises to make sure that I didn't have to go back and see her again next year! She officially broke off our relationship just after the 4th of July holiday. She told me that she hopes that only time she sees me again is at a race! I know that a Full Marathon is not going to happen this year, but I am not giving up this one. We will table this one until a later date... I am not giving up on it, just postponing it until I know that my body is ready for the challenge.
3. Run a sub 2:15 half marathon. Considering I have only run 1 Half this year and it was partway through my IT band rehab and I hit 2:33, I am calling this one a work still in progress. If I was within 5 minutes of my Half PR while dealing with my IT band issues, I am not giving up on this one! I still have several more Half Marathons in 2014 so I can guarantee that I am still working on this one!
(New goals since the beginning of 2014)
4. Qualify for Half Fanatics (http://www.halffanatics.com/) I recently discovered this group online and have realized that running these half marathons has gotten into my blood. There are other people out there just as crazy as me - or even crazier! So why not join the asylum and have some fun with it! If I work it out that I am able to run the Marquette Half Marathon Labor Day weekend, I can qualify for the Saturn level - 4 half marathons in 37 days!
5. Try things that I have never done before - time to step out of the comfort zone! This of course is an one going adventure. I started out the year running in some of the coldest conditions ever! In years past, if the weather was too cold, I either skipped my run or hit the treadmill. After doing way too many miles on the treadmill, it was time to suck it up and get outside! With a few changes to my running gear, I ran through the coldest winter I think I have ever lived through, outside and survived!
I also had the chance to actually do some running/hiking in the beautiful Phoenix area this past spring! Those amazing views could really convince me to move out there!
This weekend will mark my first 10k trail run. Last year I ran the Bairds Creek trail 5k here in Green Bay. It is time to embark on a 10k extreme trail run, single track... we will get dirty and may even have to use our hands to climb through part of the course! It will be a true adventure!
2014 may be half over already, but the adventure is no where close to being over! I have made some awesome new friends, found many more new challenges to consider and have some incredible adventures planned! With several more races left, miles to run, family and friends to enjoy time with, the second half of 2014 can only be better than the first half!
How are you doing on your goals for 2014? If you are not on track to achieve them, what can you change now to ensure that you will be successful?
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