Not having goals is like setting out for a road trip without your GPS (which used to be a map, of course). Yet I’ve been cruising through most of 2016 without much thought to goals. First there was losing Chester, then going through the grief process, things finally started to look up, then there was Bandit, my mom’s surgery, moving my parents . . . the list of why I haven’t even begun to think about goals is long and varied.
Things aren’t at all settled yet, but it’s time to think about goals — before we’re already into 2017, which is just around the corner!
Race Calendar
I need to sign up for a couple of races:
- Last Run
- Stockadeathon
- Panama City Beach Half Marathon
Luckily I don’t need to sign up for the Turkey Trot I plan to run — but maybe I ought to just go ahead and sign up for it anyway!
Training Plan(s)
I won’t be running in a group training for PCB, so I need to sit down and come up with a training plan. The good news is it comes just 6 weeks after Craft Classic Phoenix — it’s mostly a matter of maintaining my fitness. It’s highly unlikely to be a PR, unless there’s a cold snap (always possible!), but I still need to train — to remain injury free.
Keep an eye on that sugar!
Now is the time I normally start putting on the winter weight. I’m at a good place with my weight at the moment, but as they say, #thestruggleisreal.
Sugar is always a big piece of the equation for me. Not to mention a vacation in November, Thanksgiving (at my house, which at least gives me some control), and another vacation in December — both are not long vacations, but still, it doesn’t take me long to pack on the pounds — but it takes forever to take them back off.
Think about race goals that aren’t time related
I’ve signed up for three half marathons in states with warm climates — despite the fact that I don’t normally deal well with racing in the heat.
I’m currently reading Boston Bound, which was one of Wendy’s bookclub picks a while back. I happened to be looking at something else on my kindle, and it was a suggested book and only $4.99. I highly recommend and I think I got it at just the right time for me!
A few more I bought & was reading on vacation: Runner’s Brain, My Marathon, and Meb for Mortals. Yes, I was reading them all at once!
My goal for my half last weekend was to beat my last hot half. I did it by about 5 minutes!
I’d love to hear from you, so let me know in the comments:
Are you a goal setter?
What goal have you met recently?
Are you a little scared there’s just 2 1/2 months left in 2016?
I’m linking up with with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
Goal setter….why, yes I am. I am working on one now. Scared, no. Surprised, yes.
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I used to be a goal setter. Not anymore. Just try to do my best. So far this year, it has surprisingly worked. I PR’d at the half marathon and came with seconds of a PR for 5k and 10K. Who says to have to slow down when you get older?!
I do have a few more 5ks and a 10k left so may there wil be a PR?
Congrats on meeting your goal.
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Mad props to you for spanking the weightloss goal. That’s a huge one and yes the struggle is SO real. I’m typically not a great goal setter but I did set some this year, many have been totally derailed. I’ve been really good about being adventurous with new races and places though so that one’s been achieved at least.
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You have definitely been adventurous with your races! Usually I am a goal setter but the second half of this year has been so crazy.
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I’m not motivated unless I have goals! Now that marathon is over, I’m coming up with new challenges for myself. I’ll be blogging about later today or tomorrow! Well done on the half! 🙂
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It’s gotta be especially hard after a marathon! Good for you for setting new goals.
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No real goals this fall. I just want to keep getting stronger and slowly building mileage, and keep up with my daily stretching.
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Stronger is good. 😊
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Keep that image of yourself you are enjoying right now in front of you 🙂 I try do that too, as I struggle all the time with gaining weight..the struggle is real.
I am no expectation for PCB 🙂 I am going to run/walk and see what happens lol
It doesn’t bother me this year is ending- I am trying to end it on a high note as amarthoner 🙂 We shall see…
I just want to get through 2017 w/o having to take time off running,the past few years have been rough.
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Karen, I’ve been there, done that on the injury train, but thankfully mine haven’t been permanent. I was just thinking that the last couple of years without a big injury have been nice, but still most of this year has been sooooo stressful.
Don’t worry, you’re all at the vet least
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Hit the wrong button; anyway, I was going to say you’re all at least a half hour ahead of me (and some MUCH speedier).
Which is fine, as long as I get a ride back. 😊
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Congrats on beating your previous half by 5 min! That’s always fun! I have two big goals left in 2016… and then a whole slew for 2017. Haha! I am running my first ultramarathon this weekend. My goal is to finish! And I am hoping to PR at the Route 66 Marathon in November. 🙂
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Good luck this weekend! I don’t even want to do a marathon, much less an ultra . . . Route 66 is one I’ve considered, but it just didn’t fit into my calendar this year.
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I hear ya on the sweets. I am so bad during this time of the year too with the holidays coming up. Thanks for the suggestion on the book. I will have to look into Boston Bound.
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I think you have done awesome with your weightloss. I know it is a struggle daily, but you really seem to have it in check. I need to keep my carbs at night in check they always get me!
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I’m not quite sure what damage this vacation did & I have to miss my meeting this week. 😞
But yes, I’ve been maintaining my weight loss for almost 4 years now & it makes me proud & happy.
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I think my main focus has been to finish the Philly marathon since it’s my first ever! On top of that I’ve tried to stay away from the sweets but I still struggle with that, lol. I do have a lot of time off the end of the year so I will have to be careful not to overindulge! I had a goal to read 4 books this year (sad, I know) and I have 3 books to go! Thanks for those recommendations!
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I know first marathons can be all consuming!
I REALLY enjoyed Boston Bound-even though I don’t run marathons & will never do Boston, I could really relate to it. It definitely came along at the right time for me!
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Are you going to Panama city with all those other lovely ladies ? How exciting ! I am an obsessive goal setter. I always need to have some kind of goal and be working on a plan. Its the only way my brain functions. LOL
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If I actually sign up for the race. 😊 Since I already have plane tickets I guess I ought to!
I do like having goals to work towards.
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I’m definitely a goal setter. I’ve been pretty on track this year and now that my goal race is finished, I am goal-free for the foreseeable future. That’s weird! I love that one of your goals is to not focus on time for some of your races. That definitely keeps the pressure off and the focus more on the fun!
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I already have my next 2 halfs lined up . . . I like to have something to work towards. 😊
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I have to have a goal… always… something to work towards. I think I’ll work on my 5K in the off season. 🙂
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I almost always have a race to work towards, I’ve barely had time to think about goals this year!
Despite all the craziness running has gone fairly well.
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