OK, now that I’ve wrapped up the Mississippi Blues Marathon (recap here), I’ve decided to get serious about picking some spring races. As I mentioned in my Mississippi recap, I ran a good portion of that race with a very friendly and seasoned 3:50 pacer. I asked him his suggestions for spring marathons and…
You can check out my goals for 2016 here, but this post is about looking back at a pretty marvelous year. Thanks to all of those who supported me and brought joy to my life in 2015.
Here are a few facts about 2015…
I don’t love how New Year’s resolutions are marketed these days (nor how congested they make gym classes…), but I do see value in setting new intentions for the year ahead. I’ll be gentler on myself, I’ll be more complimentary to my spouse, I’ll focus on being more appreciative — that sort of thing. And, although you won’t hear me resolve to lose 10 lbs. in 2016, I also see value in setting goals. (Obvi… This is a blog entirely dedicated to my goal of running 50 marathons in 50 states…) I’ve decided on three running-related goals for 2016.
This past week was obviously Christmas week. I hope everyone had a merry Christmas! I had approximately (no, exactly) five Christmases: one with my immediate family, one with each side of my extended family, and one with each side of my husband’s family. Although it was lovely to see everyone, it took a TON of energy out of me. I also had no fewer than three meals prominently featuring macaroni and cheese.
I had anticipated being busy and tired around the actual holiday, so I got in some workouts earlier in the week before heading out of town. I also did pretty well on Christmas Eve at my parent’s place, with some walking (while listening to Serial), horseback riding, and hitting balls at the driving range. I unfortunately did not make it to yoga with the fam as I had planned (aka, I unfortunately could not drag my family to BOTH the horse farm and the yoga studio, so I had to choose one).
Here’s the full summary…
If you read this blog regularly, you know that I am training for the Mississippi Blues Marathon on January 9 (19 days from now!). Last week, I said I was going to just get my 20 miler done this past weekend a little early, so I didn’t have to worry about doing it over the holidays. Spoiler alert: it didn’t happen.
I’ve finally cancelled my gym membership. There are just too many free running paths and too many (expensive but really, really) good boutique studios.
Even though access to the gym was unlimited, I found that when I made it there (rarely), I didn’t get as much out of it as Orangetheory or a reformer pilates class. I just sort of wandered around for 25 minutes, lifted a few weights while trying not to get in people’s way, and struggled to find something good on the TVs while stair-stepping and wishing I was outside. The yoga instructors were good, but it was hard to fit the classes in with my work schedule and even harder to motivate myself to get up early for a class I hadn’t specifically paid for. (There is always that calculus in the dark hours of the morning, when my bed is so so warm – losing the $30 I paid for my pilates class and sleeping for another hour, or sucking it up? Money is a pretty good motivator.) The barre classes at the gym were too crowded and were generally not as good as barre at Xtend Barre and Barre3. The spin instructors couldn’t keep a beat. I don’t like setting my own weights or counting my reps, so I only really like lifting with a trainer or my husband:
Now that I’ve freed up my conscience and an extra $100 each month, here are some of the great things I’m looking forward to…
Is the Mississippi Blues Marathon in only 6 weeks?! Time flies when you’re eating pumpkin cheesecake… or something like that.
Goals for This Past Week:
How did I do?
Turkey trot results are at the bottom, but first, a list of things for which I am thankful on this Thanksgiving.
In no particular order:
Now that I’m all emotional…
Goals for This Past Week:
How did I do?
Goals for This Past Week:
So, how did I do?…
athlettuce 