For many years I did not make resolutions. My theory was, no one ever keeps them, so why even bother.

Then I did some reading about goal setting. It seems that people who set concrete measurable goals are much more successful than people who have just a general idea of something they hope to achieve. Ever since, I have started to write down my goals for the upcoming year. And because most resolutions do not make it past March, I also decided that if I ever “fall off the wagon” I will use any Monday as a new starting off point. Being the flawed person I am, I tend to use a lot of Mondays.

That said, here are some of my 2013 resolutions:

1. Set another half marathon PR. My best finish time ever is 2:53:58 at last year’s Columbus Marathon. I’d like to beat 2:50, but nearly 4 min is a lot to shave off. I’ll make a realistic goal of beating 2:53, with a secondary goal of beating 2:50. The per mile pace to beat 2:50 is 12:58 — whew!
2. Enter more shorter races. I find my speed improves when I enter more 5Ks and 10Ks. There are tons of local races — this one should not be hard!
3. Exercise like a kid. When we were kids we were constantly moving — riding bikes, jumping rope, rolling around in the yard, swimming, hiking … I will expand the types of exercise I do beyond just walking and I plan to focus on stuff I did as a kid or in grade school gym classes. (jump rope, jumping jacks, push ups) There is no need for gym membership just to exercise.
4. Do at least one chin up. Corollary to 3. I started working on it, but lost motivation over the holidays
5. Relax. I carry too much stress in my shoulders and I have enormous knots to prove it. I will continue to try yoga and will keep up better with massages.
6. Keep a food diary. I don’t need to diet, but I do need to be aware of what I eat to be sure I’m doing what is best for me. If I write it down, I’m more accountable.
7. Keep track of the mileage on my shoes. This typically lasts a week or two. How do I know when to replace them if I don’t keep track?
8. Publish. I have a ton of things in my head that have not been published yet. I need to just do it! Another part of this is to get the WALK! Newsletter moving and to get my podcast up ASAP. (Software issues. I just need time to figure it out.) I’m thinking about taking an entire weekend away by myself just to write. That plan is still in the works.

OK, that is enough for me. What are your New Year’s Resolutions?

 

 

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