Day 168: 2010 Goals – Running, Writing, Losing

Hello, 2010. I have a lot hope for us. We can do it!

In July of 2009, I made a decision that has changed my life. Running is teaching me that I can set out to do something and actually accomplish it. I got started on my running goals today with a 5-mile neighborhood run. I didn’t have to map out a route because I now have a Garmin 205. I felt free! I could run without borders! (Thanks, hon!) I should’ve worn my arm sleeves with a t-shirt because it was actually warm out this afternoon, but it had been raining, so I wore my rain jacket and I was hot.

I have stats! I kept track of them by entering them into the notepad function on my phone.
5 Miles: 54:15
Mile 1: 12:43 (I was running into the wind, and messing with my gloves and jacket the entire time.)
Mile 2: 11:?? (I got distracted by the Garmin and forgot what the actual time was before I wrote it down.)
Mile 3: 10:23 (I started to get into a rhythm at about 3.5 miles. After four days of not running and a 12+ hour car ride, I figured it would take me a bit to get back into the swing of things.)
Mile 4: 10:10
Mile 5: 10:09

2010 RUNNING GOALS

1. Half Marathon PR
Honestly, I’m hoping this will be an easy one to accomplish. Being as I’ve only run one half marathon, I figure, I should be able to do better on my second one. Now that I have a Garmin, I can work on my speed and I can better pace myself during the race. It’s only three months away: the Mercer Island Rotary Half Marathon on March 21, 2010. I’m also excited because a bunch of my running buddies are doing this one, too: Heather at Almost Running, Zoë at Run, Zoë, Run, Mel at Tall Mom on the Run, Bev at GRITS on the Run and Amanda at 5 Miles 2 Empty (I think…Amanda, are you in?). Who else wants to join us?

2. Full Marathon!
I know that during the Seattle Half, I was thinking that I’d never be able to do a full; that it would be too hard. But that’s the point, right? If it was easy, everyone would be running marathons. Besides, I can’t decide whether or not I like or don’t like running marathons until after I run one. Anyway…I already picked one! The North Olympic Discover Marathon on June 6, 2010. It looks to be about a medium-sized marathon and the location is amazing. It’s out on the Olympic Peninsula and it starts in Sequim (pronounced SKWIM), roams through roads and trails, and it ends along the ocean in Port Angeles. I also like that you are assigned a person to assist you at the end — it’s a nice personal touch. And, it’s close enough that it’s not a long car ride, but far enough that I’ll have to make a weekend out of it. I chose this marathon because it is NOT Seattle. I want some different scenery. And the price is right, too. It’s $75 if I register before Jan. 31. I think it cost me that much to run the Seattle Half.

3. More Strength
Remember the place that has the Secret Treadmill? I plan on signing up for the small gym and all it’s wonderful equipment. It’s inexpensive and I can get my strength training done on my lunch hour. I’m not sure how to measure my results though. Any ideas?

I don’t have a mileage goal right now. I know some runners are aiming for 500 or even 1,000, and I think that’s amazing! But for me, I think pinpointing a number might do more harm than good. At least, right now. We’ll see. Maybe as I rack up the miles, I’ll want to aim for a number, too. (If you are interested, Robin at Running Circles Around Turtles is doing a Pay It Forward 500 Club and Mel at Tall Mom on the Run is doing a 1,000++++ challenge. Check it out!)

OTHER GOALS

1. Write My Book
Complete detailed outline, write the first three chapters, research publishers and submit! Right now, this all seems much more difficult than the marathon. But I’m tired of talking about it and not doing it. This is a non-fiction book. I’ve been thinking about it for quite some time, and since I seem to have more luck with non-fiction, I’m going to focus my attention there…for now. Good fiction is difficult and that might be a goal for 2011. But for 2010, here’s the plan:

• January 31: Complete detailed outline. I’ve already started, so I just need to keep on it.
• April 30: Finish first three chapters. That’s a month per chapter. It seems like a lot of time, but I’m trying to be realistic. I will be setting up a desk for myself somewhere in this house where I can dedicate a period of time each day to writing.
• May 1-31: Decide on publishers, write letters and submit. My mom gave me the 2010 Writer’s Market, and that will be a great start.

2. Submit Articles
I really want to get some magazine articles under my belt. I’ve been published in newspapers and newsletters, and my writing can be seen on Topics Entertainment software and DVD boxes in a Costco or a Sam’s or a Best Buy or a Target or a Walmart near you, but to me, magazines seem out of reach. Hopefully, I can get one or two articles published in a magazine, and build confindence for my book!

3. Lose the Weight
I gained 3.5 pounds over the last two weeks. I know why; it’s not a mystery. I overate and didn’t get very much exercise. I learned that if you can’t fit in the exercise, then you have to watch every bite you put in your mouth. Duh. Now that I’ve got the exercise thing down, I need to get the overeating thing under control. Yes, I’ve lost some weight since I began running, but I’m still 20 pounds away from my goal. At 5’7″, I’m aiming for 155. I will be posting my weight on Fridays after I get off the scale. I weighed myself this morning.

On May 3, when I started Weight Watchers Online, I was 188 pounds. On July 19, the day after I started running, I weighed 181.8. (I quit WWO at the end of October.) The lowest I’ve been is 172.8 on Dec. 11. Darn Christmas cookies! (And fast food and Denny’s and IHOP and McDonald’s
hot fudge sundaes!) See. I haven’t lost that much weight since I started running. However, I have lost a lot of inches. I’ve gone from size 16 jeans to size 10 (well, the size 10’s are a little tight with my bad eating over the last couple of weeks, but they still fit!). One of these days, I’ll find some good before and after photos.

So, those are some ambitious goals. I know. On top of that, I’m a wife, a mom and a crazy dog show person who is getting a new puppy this month, which means we’ll be back on the dog show circuit. I know there’ll be some fun and crazy times this year and I can’t wait to share it all with you!

Happy New Year!