Goals

If you've followed me for very long, you know I don't do New Year's Resolutions.  "Resolution" means "the firm decision to do or not do something" and I've always thought making that "resolution" at the first of the year is silly.  I can make that resolution today, or tomorrow, or yesterday, I don't need a new year, new week, new month, to get started.  Today is just as good as January 1st, and better because Jan. 1st is 2 weeks away, and I'd already be on my way by then.

I've been making goals for a few years now but I actually have been pretty unsuccessful in achieving my goals each year.  I try, and that's the best I can do.  I just went looking for each year's goals, and I am not good at labeling so I couldn't find actual posts with the goals, but I found the years' wrap up posts that talked about the goals for that year.

I started running in March of 2012 and didn't make any goals.  I guess my goals were to start running and to lose weight, which I was successful at. 

In 2013 I couldn't find anything related to goals.

2014 was the year I started making actual goals.  That year I wanted to run 100 miles a month and to run a marathon. I made these goals while struggling with plantar faciitis, and didn't succeed in either goal.

2015 my only stated goal was to stay injury free, which I succeeded at.  Deep down my other goal was to run a marathon, which I was also successful at.

2016 I wanted to run a race a month (started on my 40th birthday in October 2015 to end on my birthday in 2016), and I sprained my ankle and was unsuccessful.  I also wanted to run another marathon (also unsuccessful).

2017 my goals were to "do more half marathons" and run another marathon (ultimately I wanted to PR my half and full marathon times).  I did succeed in running more half marathons, 4 to be exact (well it will be 4 after December 31st), and I succeeded in running another full marathon, I did not PR either.  I did however PR my 10k time.  A few months into the year I found the Washington half/full marathon series, and that became my new goal, to complete 4 half or full marathons to get a special medal.  I will succeed in that, even if I have to walk on Dec. 31.  Overall, in 2017 I ran (or will after Dec 31) 4 half marathons and 1 full marathon.

In 2018 I have a few non-running goals.  I want to get out more, I want to start hiking.  I am going to start that.  My sister and I have talked about hiking for years, and we don't.  I'm going to do it, even if I have to go alone.  I have also been thinking about starting an Etsy shop, so I'm going to work on that in January (I picked January because it's after Christmas and I'll have more time).  I also want to switch banks, so that's another January goal (again January is because it's after Christmas). 

My running goals are to PR the half distance (under 1:59:00) and the full marathon distance, ultimately I want a marathon under 4 hours.  I also want to work on my strength, which I did start in 2016/early 2017, but quit cause I got bored.  I always say I'm going to work on my flexibility, and do a little yoga here and there, but I would really like to work on it. 

I just read my January 2017 goals post and in it I talked about resolutions vs goals, and I found myself nodding along with it (which obviously means I still believe what I wrote) (honestly I'm surprised I was so insightful 11 months ago).  ; )  I also talked about another goal I had forgotten about . . . that I succeeded in.  I said I would stop talking about my weight, and for the most part I did.  I know that I said something a couple times (maybe 2? times), but I really used to obsess about it, and haven't lately. 

I'm headed to eastern Washington tomorrow after work to see my family for Christmas.  It's very doubtful that I will post again before Christmas, so I hope everyone has a great Christmas. . . or whatever you celebrate.