I Gotta Feeling ... wooohooo ... that this month's gonna be a good month

I've been MIA this week but not for any particular reason other than perhaps a little writers block and a minor case of sore throat, thus less running.

I missed quite a few of my planned runs in the last bit of January.  Had some crappy weather and truly just didn't feel like running outdoors, nor on the treadmill.  It happens.  While I have definite goals I want to achieve, at the end of the day I run for enjoyment and I will not force it if my heart isn't in it.

Last Sunday I had 12 miles planned but woke up feeling very lightheaded, tired and just drained.  It was super cold out too and my son had a game in the afternoon, so I just decided to forego the run.

By the time Tuesday came around it had been a week since my last run.  It was time to do SOMETHING!  It was still pretty darn cold, but the wind had died down and I chose to face the elements.  It turned out to be one of the best runs in a long time.  Only 4 miles, but I enjoyed every step of it.  THAT is what it should be about!

Quick summary of January ....

Didn't run near as much as I had planned.  Started the month on an injury and ended it with bad weather and feeling off.  Still, I got in 64 miles and enjoyed most of them.  Substantially short of the 106 miles I had planned ... but I will not beat myself up over it.

The great thing about January was I had set a goal to lose 4 lbs .... and I lost 4.6!!!!  I'm super stoked about that.

My February goals include running 100 miles and losing another 3.4 lbs from Jan 31st to Feb 28th.

February has just started but it's already feeling like an amazing month.  I have ALOT going on and I just have this incredibly positive vibe going on that started about 2 weeks ago.  I haven't felt this way in a long, LONG time.  There are just so many areas of my life right now that make me so happy.  I don't think my marriage has ever been as strong.  My kids are amazing and they make me so proud.  While finances haven't really improved, there is a little light twinkling out there and I really don't think it's a train this time.  There's nothing really noteable, but I just feel this little shift, a little change in gears and I have this sense.  Sure hope I'm right about that!!

This weekend is going to be GREAT too.  Both kids have soccer games, I have a race and then there is family UFC night.  It's probably gonna rain all weekend, but it's sunny in my world so who cares - hahaha.

Have an AMAZING weekend!

Keep Active!

Heidi

♥♥♥♥♥

2011 Goals

Sure seems to be taking me long enough to post my goals for 2011.

 

Alot going on these days and I'm finding it hard to get to the computer for a little quality time :).  I'm considering giving up sleeping.  Good idea???  It's been a busy last few days getting back to work & the kids to school.  To top it off, my boss decided we're moving offices ... tomorrow!  At least I'll be getting lots of activity in packing up the whole thing and moving furniture & boxes.

Without further ado ... here are my goals for 2011!

 

Run 2011 Kms / 1250 Miles - This year, I will run 2011 Km (aka 1250 miles), along with my buddy Syl who has already pledged to do the same.  And my friend Fran will be joining us with 1011 Kms.  In 2010 I originally planned to run 750 miles, then decided to changed to 1000 miles.  Unfortunately I fell just a hair short on that (943 miles), but I did learn some lessons along the way.  I will NOT fail on this goal this year!

Set some PR's - I want more PRs this year.  I know I have it in me to improve upon my current PR's.  This year there will be more speed work, more hills, more intervals.  I want to improve on everything from the 5K to the half marathon.  The times I'm aiming for are not significantly faster, but I know that even this little bit will be an achievement.

Time goals:

• 5K - 24:30 ... 7:54/mile  (current 24:53)
• 10K - 49:59 ... 8:04/mile  (current 50:59)
• Half Marathon - 1:55:00 ... 8:46/mile  (current unofficial 1:57:??)
• Grouse Grind - 49:59  (current 50:54)  **mountain hike

Conquer the Half Marathon - I was only able to enter one half marathon in 2010, and it didn't go so great.  I WILL conquer this one this year, and I will do it well too!  This is the one goal that is a MUST for me this year.  If I can pull it off, I'm hoping to do a very special half marathon this year with a fellow blogger.

Cross Training - This year I'm putting more emphasis on cross training - most specifically weights.  Lately when I've done a bit of weight work I feel it ... big time.  This tells me that running alone is not enough.  Also, not that I've had alot of injuries, but the one's I've had, alot can pretty much be pinned on muscle weakness.  Stronger muscles throughtout my entire body will help me run faster.  My butt & abs are usually the first thing to get sore on a challenging run.  That tells me something.   

Along with the weights, I want to venture more.  I've found a fantastic, willing, eager exercise partner who loves to go, go, go ... and I intend to go, go, go.  Once the weather allows, I want to be hiking the mountains more, riding my bike more ... maybe even try kayaking or canoeing for something different.

 

Lose Weight - For the last year I put very little effort into further weight loss and have even gained a little bit.  That is changing this year.  Dec 26/10 my weight was 153.2 and by the end of 2011 I will be at least 10 lbs under that.  This is going to be an even bigger focus than running this year.  Lower weight generally means faster/easier running so by losing excess weight my running should improve. 

In summary, while running is the most important to me, I'm going to put more effort into other areas of my life which will naturally help the running to improve (weight loss, cross training, running drills).  Last year was mostly about distance covered and nothing else.  That is great, but just covering miles isn't enough for what I want to achieve.

Keep Active!

Heidi

♥♥♥♥♥