December and 2013 Goals in Review

Yes, I do realize that there is a day left in December but I am 99.9% sure that I won't be running tomorrow since my best friend and her family will be arriving late this evening.  With that being said, a nice 10 mile long run yesterday brought my December training to an end.

 

December 2013 stats
56.03-- running miles
0-- spin miles
0-- jump rope fitness workouts
0-- core fitness workout
0-- Pure Barre classes
0-- Fitness App workout
0-- walking miles
56.03-- total miles

Current 2013 stats
1,314.54-- running miles
67-- spin miles (3 classes)
19-- jump rope fitness workouts
1-- core fitness workout
12-- Pure Barre classes
1-- Fitness App workout
9.69-- walking miles
1,391.23-- total miles

2013 "to do list" check-in

2013 Running Goals
1. First and foremost 26.2 under 4 hours--enough said
FAIL- I did end up running another marathon that I received free entry into. My goal was to run smart and listen to my body which I did. I also finished in my second fastest time (4:31:43) so I can't complain about that. I will have to try for sub 4 another day....



2. Achieve a second sub 1:50 half marathon so I can remove the asterick from my current sub 1:50 PR
FAIL- I came very close in March (1:50:43) but alas I didn't break into the 1:40's.   I didn't run any 1/2 marathons in December but I did run the Christmas Story 10K and had a blast with the girls!  We shall see what 2014 brings in this area!



Bick, Emily, Kim, me, and Missi


2013 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-56.03 miles run in December...oops that's definitely not 100 miles. 
PARTIAL FAIL- There were several months that I did run over 100 miles but I was not 12 for 12.
2. Run 1300 miles for the year
SUCCESS- 1,314.54 miles run in 2013!!

2013 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Cross-train at least twice a week
-This was a fail for December.  I had even told Kim that I would do at least one jump rope workout but that didn't happen....
ALMOST TOTAL FAIL-  There were definitely a lot more months that I didn't get any cross-training done in 2013. 
2. Complete a jump rope workout every day
-Not a single jump rope workout completed in December
FAIL-  This was a pretty short lived one...the streak ended before the end of January...so much for jumping rope every single day in 2013.
3. Drink 50 ounces of water per day (based on my current weight, this is my daily water intake need)
-Done in December and done well.
ALMOST TOTAL SUCCESS-  There were a couple long runs that I didn't hydrate properly for but I felt I was successful for the most part for 2013.
4. Take my vitamins daily
-Vitamin taken every single day in December (assuming I remember to take it tomorrow). 
 ALMOST TOTAL SUCCESS-  I believe there were less than 10 days that I forgot to take my vitamins in 2013.
5. Continue to choose and cook healthier foods
-8 meals made in December.
SUCCESS- I am quite pleased with my results in this area in 2013.
6. Learn to swim...better luck this year
-What's this swimming you speak of......
FAIL- I have no excuse....I didn't learn to swim in 2013.
Overall December was a great month.  While I didn't have 100% success with my goals and challenges I am still happy with how 2013 went. 

We were talking on our long run yesterday about our 2014 goals and I realized and verbalized for the first time that "goals" stress me out.  Therefore when coming up with my 2014 plans, I am going to try and come up with a better "term" for "goals".  I am open to any suggestions any of you may have.  I will be back soon with my "un-goals"?  HA!  Yeah, I definitely need to work on that one!

30 Day Challenge Check-In

If you have been following along you know that back in January I decided to leap into a challenge starting February 1 and ending on March 1 (because there are only 29 days in February this year and I wanted it to be a full 30 days).  Today is the one week mark so I thought I would check-in with my success so far.

I challenge myself to not eat any sweets for 30 days.
As of February 8, 2012 I have eaten 0 sweets.  When I was making my daughter orange rolls on Sunday morning I almost ate the icing that ended up on my fingers but I caught myself and immediately washed my hands so the tempation was gone.

I challenge myself to not eat any potato chips for 30 days.
As of February 8, 2012 I have eaten 0 potato chips.  Monday at dinner I was a bit challenged because I always eat chips when I have a sandwich for dinner.  I am happy to say that I chose a banana and almonds instead.

I challenge myself to complete a 30 day fitness program in addition to my February running.
As of February 8, 2012 I have completed my core fitness workout every single day.  I have also continued with my running so I am quite pleased with my success in fitting in the additional workout.  I am looking forward to increasing the number of set and/or repetitions very soon.

I have really enjoyed the challenges so far.  I also like following along with others who have decided to join me in this challenge.  Take some time to visit their blogs, see how they are doing with the challenges, and show them some love.

Deb- my best friend who seriously needs to start a blog!!
Dave
Jenn
Amanda
Anna

If there are others that are participating in the challenge and I have left you out, please let me know so I can add your name and link to your blog.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

So Far So Good

I recently read a post that Amanda from Get to Goal (here) did and I really liked the format of it so I'm going to go ahead and snag part of her idea from her and use it today!  Thanks Amanda for the inspiration!  :)

Where to start? Um...how about let's start with how my goals (to-do list) for 2012 are going.

2012 Running Goals
1. My number one running goal is to run a sub-1:50 half marathon
2. Secondary to the goal of a sub-1:50, I would like to attempt to run another marathon PR (sub-4:10:11) with a stretch goal of running a sub-4:00:00-- No work has been done on these two goals as of yet.  I will be running plenty of 1/2 marathons for #1 and I am thinking fall is a good time to shoot for #2.

2012 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month- obviously this is a work in progress and I am currently at 17 miles and going strong.
2. Run a half marathon each month- will be running the Phoenix 1/2 marathon next Sunday...check January off the list!

2012 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Increase the amount of cross-training/strength training I do on a monthly basis- did my first pool workout today while the kids were swimming at the YMCA

No, this isn't our YMCA but it is a pool!!

2. Focus on choosing and cooking healthier foods- I made three well-balanced meals this week plus a fourth balanced meal using leftovers.  I have stayed away from the sweets all week except for this afternoon when I did have frozen yogurt.  I went with strawberry/banana topped with strawberries and raspberries...does that count as a healthy dessert?

One of the meals made this week

3. Drink more water- this one is always a challenge for me.  I'm doing okay in this area but certainly need to be doing much more.
4. I promised a certain someone that if they ran a marathon with me I would learn to swim so I intend to make good on that promise this year.- I have looked at the YMCA swim lesson calendar and have thought about calling to see about private lessons but that is as far as I have gotten. 

I realize it is only January 7th but I am very proud of myself for my success this week.  Only 51 more weeks to go to achieve those goals and complete my to-do list!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!