Last year was about losing weight. This year is about living without fear. I noticed that I have a tendency to think about things a lot, but often forget to do. I err on the side of being too methodical, trying to do everything “by-the-book”, and usually end up being too scared to start. When I sat down to set my goals for this year I struggled because I was so scared of failing to achieve my goals! If that’s the case, then what’s the point in setting them?! Yeesh!
This past year I ran my first 5K ever. Eventually I’d like to run a marathon, but that’s something I envisioned myself doing years from now. Even though I ran a 5K in September, I haven’t pushed myself to run any further than that because I need to “do it the right way”. I’ve been planning my venture into longer distances, but have I tried it? No. It’s stupid, really.
Yesterday at a New Year’s Eve party I started talking to a girl about running. She told me that a couple of years ago she couldn’t run more than a half a mile. One day she just put her mind to it, built up some endurance, followed a 12-week training program, and ran her first marathon. I was going to plan on running a 10K sometime this year, but after listening to her story I started thinking “why can’t I do something bigger?” and the answer was simple: because I told myself so. Of course I could run more than 3 miles at a time, but have I ever let myself do it? No! Because I’m too scared of failing and disappointing myself! Well, I say “codswallop!” This year is going to be about taking risks (within reason, obviously) and pushing myself beyond my conceived limits. I’m going to prove myself wrong! This is going to be the year of no fear. With that being said, here are my goals for 2011:
- Run 3 times a week
- Run 5 5Ks
- Train for and participate in a half-marathon
- Strength train twice a week
- Go to a yoga class at least once a week
- Pray every day
- Join a Bible study
- Read 20 books
- Put away $100-$200 a month for a down payment on a car
- Try 3 new recipes each month
On an aside, I did make myself run more today. Even though it’s been weeks since I’ve run, I went to the gym today with the mindset that I was going to run 4 miles, and I did! When I started running last year I came up with a little saying to keep me going when I wanted to quit, and I used it today. I’d like to share it with you all:
“I love running, because it reminds me that I can do anything I set my mind to.”
Living Is Motion 