It's that time of year...

My resolutions... nah, you didn't think it'd be that simple LOL!

I've always loved writing resolutions.  I can remember when I was 8 years old, getting a diary for Christmas and writing my New Year's resolutions in it. Back then, my resolutions were things like "Be nice to my little sister" and "Get all A's this year" (I'll let you guess which of those I actually accomplished!).  I loved going back to the first page of my diary each year and rereading the resolutions I'd made, to see how I had done.  I figured I should start this blog with revisiting last year's goals.

I had three running resolutions in 2014: to run 1000 miles total, to PR at every race distance, and to run in my first marathon.  I am happy to say that I met all three of these goals... basically.  My final mileage total for the year was 1427.68 miles.  Pretty freaking awesome!   I actually almost exactly doubled last year's miles of 714.42... not sure I'll ever be able to say that I doubled my yearly mileage again.  Wow!  I obviously ran in my first marathon... and second LOL.  The PR thing... so I initially said PR in EVERY distance... 5K, 4 miler, 10K (or quarter marathon), and half.  I PR'ed my half in August, and my 5K in July.  I PR'ed my full in October.  I actually didn't race in any 4-milers or quarter marathons this year, so I suppose I can still say I met my PR goals.  

Out with the old, in with the new... time for this year's running goals!  

1. Be injury-free.  I kind of don't like this goal.  I mean, freak injuries happen.  But I am going to do all in my power to keep from getting injured by running smarter, and adding in more strength exercises.  So I guess my resolution is actually just to be smarter in order to attempt to stay injury-free!

2. Run at least 1500 miles.  This is only a bit more than I ran this year, and I have no doubt that I had no been injured prior to my marathon (and after it) that I'd have ran 1500 miles this year.  I'm going to be smarter about it this year, though (see resolution #!).

3. Achieve a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon (for my age group, a sub-3:40).  Yep, I said it.  I know my loyal readers were expecting this one, and I aim to please ;)  Seriously, though, this is something that I truly want to accomplish. It was my pie-in-the-sky goal for my October race, and it's my "I'm gonna do it" goal for my April race. I just had to grow into it...

I know I can meet this goal, with the right training and mindset. I was all set to start marathon training this week, and just encountered a bit of a hiccup (calf strain) that now has me sidelined for a week or two.  I just keep telling myself that I'll be stronger when I do start.  

4. Continue to run with friends and with joy.  This year has been amazing.  I have met some of the best friends of my life.  I am so very lucky to have so many different friends who run at many different paces.  I have my "Wednesday group" who I run with at 4:30 AM (yes, we are a bit crazy).  I have my adopted MIT coaches who I met at my first marathon and who I now run weekly as well as attend core class with on Sundays.  I have my "fast friends", like Amanda, Paige and Andrea, who I can rely on for quicker-paced runs.  I of course still have Jen, my first true running friend.  And there are so many more!  Running has truly transformed who I am... the joy I get from running with these ladies is amazing.  Honestly, this goal is the most important one to me.  I want running to always be full of friendship and joy.

And there you have it... my resolutions for 2015.  I'm ready to get this party started!