New Year, New Goals, Change is Good!

5.07 Miles Done!

My New Year's Day began with a nice 5 mile run with my running buddy Chris O.  We decided to take a route that included running up Stadium Way....and when I say "up", I do mean up!  I have a tendency to avoid hills if I can.  Not an easy thing to do in Pullman considering you can technically go up hills both ways.  But today I trudged up the endless hill.  Chris was telling me a story, I was listening, and then before I knew it, we were at the top....whew!

This is the 2nd year in a row that I've gone for a New Year's Day run with Chris.  It really is a nice way to start off the year.  Makes me feel good anyway :)

Last year at this time, I wrote a post that included my goals for 2013.  It's time to check-in and see how I did.....

2013 Goals...did I complete them?
1.  Run 500 miles.  If you have been reading my posts regularly, you know that I made a goal to run 500 miles between November 1, 2012 and October 31, 2013.  I didn't quite make it to 500 miles.  Life has a way of changing plans sometimes.  I adjusted this goal back in August after doing the math.  I'm happy to report (in case you missed my previous post) that I ran 309.5 miles.  Happy face!

2.  Sign up and run at l race each month.  So this goal was also adjusted back in August, but the outcome was still the same.  I finished 14 races during 2013.  I would say this goal was met.  Check!

January 26, 2013 – Freeze Your Fanny 5K, 33:30

February 9 – Sweetheart Run 4 miles, 44:00

March 2 – Snake River Half, 3:03:00

March 30 - Campus on the Run 5K, 39:36

April 13 – Mom’s on the Run 5K, 39:00

April 21 - 100K Relay, 5.6 miles, 1:12:00

April 27 – Seaport River Run 10K, 1:17:00

May 5 – Bloomsday, 12K, 1:44:00

August 17 – Lentil Festival 5K, 42:00

September 21 – Dash for Cash 5K, 36:00

October 5 – Fall Flash 10K, 1:19:30

October 24 – Virtual 5K College of Education, 38:52

October 27 – Run for Your Life, 5K, 39:58

November 2 – Doc Sears Half, 2:52:21

3.   Finish at least 2 half marathons...done and done!

2013 Highlights!

4.  Continue to motivate myself and be a cheerleader for my friends.  I was just talking to Chris about the motivation piece this morning.  I'm dedicated to my running.  However, it's still not easy for me.  I have to motivate myself daily and sometimes talk myself into going out for a run.  BUT...I'm still doing it!  As for cheering on my friends, I try to encourage others as much as possible.  Great job everyone!

5.  Keep a consistent running schedule of 3 days per week.  I will have to say that I did not complete this goal.  I always had it in the back of my mind, but I'm still working on the consistency part.  Keep moving my feet!

 I've been sitting here thinking about what I want my goals to be for 2014.  I already have a couple changes coming my way.  Which is both exciting and scary at the same time.  I start a new job tomorrow and I have a new jeep coming soon.

I'd like to take a moment to say thank you to my 2005 jeep liberty.  I feel that it sacraficed itself to protect me and my boys in our recent accident.  Thankfully we are all ok.  My small injuries will heal.  I'm so thankful!!  RIP!

The upcoming changes to my life will inevitably affect other parts of my life too.  That will be a challenge in itself, but I'm ready.  So here we go with my running goals for 2014....

1.  Run 400 miles.  Now that I have a baseline, I think 400 is do-able.  Don't you?
2.  14 races in 2014.  I know I already did this, but I think I will do it again.  I'd like to add a couple more 10K's if possible.
3.  Run a race with my sister Laura.  We ran Bloomsday together last year.  I'd like to travel to Seattle to do something with her this year.
4.  Continue to motivate myself and soak in the enthusiasm of other runners.  Thanks to facebook for helping with this one!
5.  Finish a half marathon in 2:30:00 or less.  This one will be hard, but the challenge will be good for me.

Ok, that's it for now.  I hope you all have an amazing year!!  Oh and....Go Cougs!!