Mid-Year

In the corporate world, there's goal setting, mid year reviews and year end reviews. So I thought yesterday that I should do a mid year review on my fitness goals. I never officially wrote out fitness goals for the year (I guess partly because once you acknowledge and announce your goals, you're commited to them) so I am going to do that now.

Goal 1: Run a 5K
I ran my first 5K this past March and ran another one in May. I am also signed up for Rugged Maniac (my first obstacle race) in mid July and another 5K in late July.

Goal 2: Forget about getting skinny and Get Strong!
At the start of the year, I didn't realize that this was a goal of mine. But somewhere along my journey, I realized that I don't particularly care about being skinny. When I first signed up for training sessions at the gym, the gym manager asked me how much weight I wanted to lose. I surprised myself by telling her that I didn't care if I lost any weight, instead I wanted to build muscle. Since I switched my focus, I'm much happier with my progress. I don't get discouraged weighing myself because I see changes in my belly and in my arms and those changes aren't visible on a scale. I don't think I have accomplished this goal yet as I'm not as strong as I want to be but I'm definitely getting there.

Goal 3: Run a Half-Marathon
Strangely, I set this goal before I even ran my first 5K. After I ran my first 5K, I was even more committed to running a Half-Marathon. I signed up for one in Vancouver. Expenses came up and we decided not to go to Vancouver. So instead I plan on running my first half at the Jersey shore. I haven't signed up yet (not sure why) but I am going to sign up this week. I have been slacking with my running because I have been focusing on strength training instead so I need to get back to my long run Sundays.

Goal 4: Meet other Moms into Fitness
I actually googled running moms and found Moms RUN This Town. I looked for a local group and when I didn't find one, I requested to be a chapter leader. So far, we have 8 members in my group and I am working on getting us together for our first 5K in July.

Goal 5: Promote my Blog
While blogging isn't really a fitness goal, it is definitely related. My blog holds me accountable. If I write that I am going to run a 5K and make it public, I am going to do it. It has also linked me to several people that I find inspiring and has allowed me to motivate others. Yesterday I was featured on Real Into, a blog about health and fitness. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be featured on someone's else blog but it happened. And as a result, I have a couple more followers - another added benefit. I am also currently working on having some guest posts on topics I find interesting.

The truth is that as 2013 progresses, I am probably going to set more goals. My fitness goals are evolving as I evolve. I mentioned yesterday that I am reading Run Like a Girl: How Strong Women Make Happy Lives. This morning, I read that "Goals are an extension of our visualization. They are the specific outcomes we visualize for ourselves". Isn't that the truth? If we visualize never crossing a finish line or not being able to complete a hot yoga class, we won't be able to do it. If you see yourself crossing the finish line, you'll do it. The secret to accomplishing goals is visualizing and committing to them.

So what about you? What fitness goals have you set for 2013 and how much progress have you made toward them?

I pulled an Armstrong

No, I'm not on drugs, steroids or performance enhancers of any sort. But I have recently realized my last couple of posts were full of crap. They are all 100% true yet they are full of crap. I'll explain. I signed up for the 30 day Bikram challenge in addition to training for my first 5K next month and my first half marathon in August. It is February 5, the challenge started February 1 and I have yet to go to yoga once! I have no idea how I thought I would be able to train for both races, go to yoga 30 (even 15-20) days in February and be a working mother. I set way too many goals up for myself.

My last post, and this one is the kicker, is where I basically said to run when you're sick. Yes, I actually said that! And to make matters worse, I did it. I went for a run last Thursday. Here I am 5 days later, on antibiotics and way too weak to go to work (today's my first day back), let alone run. What was I thinking?

I understand us runners, newbies and pros, share one thing in common - the post run euphoria. We run because it makes us feel great. We run to meet our goals and train for our races and marathons. We don't like setbacks and we'd much rather push through than sacrifice a training run. I get it. In fact, I would have called myself crazy a year ago. But now, I get it. I didn't want to lose my run on Thursday. I have lost a couple runs since then and didn't want to lose them either. But since Thursday, I've been listening to my body.

I am looking forward to feeling better so I can run. I'm hoping I can pick up where I left off but I'm sure I'll have to work at it. I'm just happy this happened now and not a week before my half marathon!

As for the goals I set for myself, I'll continue to try and go to yoga as much as possible but I am going to focus on running. I am like my mother in more ways than one and while she can't manage to finish a sentence without getting distracted, I guess I can't manage to finish one goal, without adding a couple along the way! Lesson learned - one thing at a time.

Since I have been home sick, I have spent a lot more time with my family and I am proud to say my son took his first steps last Friday! Soon enough, the little man is going to take off running and then we're screwed! :)

I am also extremely proud of my husband for making his blog public! As I've mentioned before, he is Mr. Rock Climber extraordinaire (at least in my eyes) and his blog details his Rock Adventures. Take a look and see for yourself - it combines both rock and ice climbing, exploration, climbing technique, gear review and fun times!

Proud wife and mama,
Renita

Santino's First Steps