I’ve thought a lot about what I want to do this year.
When I started running, I made sure to keep my goals reasonable. Achievable. I wanted to have earn little victories that would build on each other.
And that’s what’s kept me running. But this year I’m willing to set a mark high and bust my ass to see what I can do.
Winter
- Get my knee checked out. Give it time to fully heal.
- Accept that I might have to run the Mid-Winter Classic easy, or take it off this year if my knee hasn’t healed.
- Swim at least 8 times a month until April. Get my 525 time down to 9:15. (I swam it in 9:47 in November).
- Continue strength training 3 times a week until April.
- Learn how to ski well enough that I don’t have to stick to the trails 5-year-olds feel comfortable on.
Spring
- Beat a 1:50 half-marathon for Race the Runways in April (~8:20 pace).
- Follow Hal Higdon’s Intermediate marathon training plan to train for the Maine Coast Marathon on May 12. This plan has always been a challenge for me because it ups the running to 5 days a week. I won’t put a time goal on this race, just a goal to complete the training plan.
- Compete in my first triathlon, the Polar Bear, on May 4. (This is why my 525 swim time is important)
Summer
- Run the Bay of Fundy International Marathon. No time, just have fun. It’s probably going to be hot.
- Buy a wetsuit. Try to do open water swimming at least once a week.
- Learn how to change a flat tire on my bike.
- Bike at least 30 miles a week from June to October, including some fun trips. Maybe this will be the year I talk Tony into getting a road bike?
- Run some 5Ks, like the Triple Crown races, and stick with track club. Don’t let marathon training keep me from short races.
Fall
- Run a sub 4:10-marathon at the Maine Marathon.
- Run a sub-24 minute 5K.
- Repeat many of the races I did this year, like Reach the Beach, the Lake Auburn Half marathon, and the Women’s Half Marathon.
I love reading your goals for next year, too. Thanks for coming along for the ride!