Another Year, Another ...

First Run of the New Year with my run club

How did it ever get to be 2016?  It seems like I blinked my eyes in 1980 and transported myself into the future.  It’s amazing how fast time flies.  Now that I’m clearly in the last half of my life, in my mind it is time to keep things ramped up.  I’ve heard many older folks say “You sit, you die” and I believe it.   I’m not quite ready for that.

2015 was a good year.  I managed to run a smidge over 1,000 miles without getting hurt.  I did get a kidney stone but I don’t consider that an injury, just a circumstance.  I ran 16 races and completed a 50 miler to boot.  I’m hoping to run fewer races in 2016 with a focus on improvement.  

Group Run 

When I started this running journey back in late 2012, I could barely run every two or three days.  I remember trying to walk up and down stairs after just a three mile run.  My knees hurt, my muscles were cranky and stiff.  I remember telling another newbie, “never run two days in a row because you would likely get injured.”  Fast forward three years and I can now run daily (if I can find the time) and find that the more I run and the longer I run, the less anything hurts.  I’m finally acclimated to this addictive sport and have no intention of having to start over.  My number one goal, always, is to avoid injury!

Being an older runner, and older when I started, I’ve come to accept that speed isn’t necessarily my goal nor something I can achieve.  So, if not speed, what are my improvement goals?  In no particular order, they are:

• ·         Stay healthy and without injury
• ·         Run at least 1,000 miles a year
• ·         Keep my weight at or below 140 lbs
• ·         Run the races for which I sign up
• ·         Write more blogposts – particularly race reports
• ·         Have fun when I run – don’t whine as much
• ·         Crosstrain at least once per week
• ·         Do speedwork & hill work at least once per week
• ·         Inspire other older people to try or stick with a running program
• ·         Stop comparing myself to others

1.16.16 Group Run - Keeping it FUN

As 2016 gets underway, I’ve run 79 miles in the first 18 days.   I’ve dropped six pounds and have three more to go to hit that elusive 140 pound threshold and, I’m finding that running every day feels really, really good.  Here’s to a great 2016, may you all meet or exceed your goals!  BUT…… and this is a big one, if your goals take the fun out of running, I personally think you should reconsider those goals.  Do you want to win big in the short term or having running be a passion for years to come?