Dec 13, 2011

2011 Recap and My New Year's/Running Resolutions for 2012

I started participating in races in 2010 and only did two my first year (a half and a full marathon).  I really started getting serious about running in 2011 and signed up for my first 5K and 10K. I participated in seven races in 2011 and would love to participate in at least ten in 2012.  In 2011, I PR'd in a Half Marathon, a 10K and a 5K and in 2012 I will shift my focus to my Marathon time!
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I love running and races are so fun!! I find that I have amazing energy when I am around other runners who love the sport just as much as I do!  Although I have my list of on-going Running Goals that are mainly related to improving my times, I have decided to focus on a specific set of achievements for 2012.

1) Run 3 Marathons in 90 days and become a bronze level Marathon Maniac. There are no time requirements, you just simply have to finish!!  It's not about the time, it's about the finish line."




2) Run the remaining two marathons needed to earn the Beach Cities Challenge Medal in the OC.  The Long Beach Marathon is the first one in the series for me and I completed it last year so I just need to complete the remaining two.

"3:59:59"
3) Run a marathon in under 4 hours.  I have to figure out how to shave off 5 minutes and 17 seconds off the clock since my current PR is 4:05:16.  I will continue to work hard so that my goal of running the Boston Marathon is that much closer to becoming a reality!

"In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail."Anonymous
4) Continue to stay committed and train hard, work on my speed, and push myself to do my very best. Time is my main issue since I work full time and get home pretty late. I also have a family so sometimes running has to take a back seat so that I can take care of my priorities at work and at home. I also want to remind myself that in spite of my running goals, I need to make sure that the sport continues to be fun for me.  My last race of the year was ran strictly for fun and I had a great time. I think it may have been one of the most enjoyable runs that I have ever had because I wasn't focused on my Garmin and I actually enjoyed the scenery and the holiday atmosphere that this race provided.  It was a great way to end 2011. I think that sometimes we get too caught up in PR's and competing with others that it really takes the fun out of the sport. We are all human with different levels of ability and there will be times when we fail to meet our goals and that is what makes us strive to work harder. My belief is that the only time we truly fail, is when we fail to try!


I should probably have a resolution to eat better but I love to eat so I will save that one for next year!

Have you set any New Year's/Running Resolutions for 2012?

3 comments:

  1. This is awesome! The three marathons in 90 days sounds a little crazy to me and I don't think I could ever do it!! That is A LOT of running! Who knows though...maybe I will catch the marathon bug again next year and be just as crazy as you!! I think you have some pretty sweet and achievable goals. You need food to fuel all of this training so I wouldn't even worry about it!! I actually haven't set any "real" resolutions yet. I have got to think about it a little more!

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  2. love this!!! I have not thought about this just yet...it is coming....

    the big medal for the beach cities Challenge...I am getting it in February and I cannot wait!!!!!
    I have done 2 out of 3!!

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  3. Oh my goodness, you are going to get that sub 4 hour marathon, NO DOUBT in no time!! (not to mention your BQ will be here before you know it...trust me, we are capable of so much more than we think!) I've been following your training and you've got it in you.

    Oh wow, maybe I should do that marathon maniac thing...I could maybe squeeze one more in before my 90 days passes haha...oh gosh, a seed may have just been planted in my head.

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