2012 Goals

NUTRITION & WEIGHT LOSS
I'm starting off 2012 with the same resolution I've had for years... lose weight.  I was successful last spring and then gained most of it back during marathon training.  My downfall is the food.  I need eat like an athlete with smart choices and proper nutrition to fuel my runs.

To put resolve into action, I'm participating in the Food Journal challenge during the month of January (sponsored by RunToTheFinish).  I went out and bought myself a little journal today and plan to make it an in-depth journal of what enters my mouth and how I feel each day.

Locally, I put together a team of 5 to participate in my gym's 55 Weight Loss Challenge, where we have a chance to win $1000+ and a free gym membership. This will keep me motivated and accountable until at least March 3.  My goal is to trim 30 pounds before summer.

CONSISTENT FITNESS
There are no breaks.  This is the lifestyle I want and enjoy. If not running, I want to be active biking, spinning, swimming, yoga or any other activity that strikes my fancy.  My goal is to be "Half Marathon Ready" at any given point throughout the year.  By integrating weekly cross training, I hope to prevent any major injuries.

MILEAGE
My run goal for the year is 1300 miles, but secretly I'm hoping to hit 1500. If all goes smoothly (no injuries), I believe it's completely possible.

RACES

• I'd like to complete at least 6 Half Marathons in 2012.  It's my favorite race distance and I'm still highly driven by that illustrious sub-2 that's been out of reach.  (My current Half PR is 2:03)
• I want to limit the number of 5Ks I participate in, which is hard because I get wound up in the pre-race excitement.  They are expensive, messes up my long runs and I usually end up disappointed with the race organization and flow.  However, I do plan to pick at least 2 good events and nail a new PR.  My goal is to run a 5K in under 26 minutes.  
• I'd like to throw a 10K in the schedule.  I ran my first one last September here and found it really challenging to hold a sub-9 pace for 6.2 miles.  I think it would make a great test of my speed/endurance if placed strategically before one of my half-marathons.  I'm looking at the Shamrock Shuffle 10K on March 17 in Madison, WI.

NEW CHALLENGES
Changing things up and keeping fitness fresh is important to me.  I love to run, but like anything the passion can fade when not nurtured.  To avoid the slight chance of getting bored, I like to keep myself challenged.  This year, I've got three "big" events on my calendar to keep me invested...

Wisconsin Marathon

May 5

I really didn't mean to do this, but when I went to register for the half-marathon, I accidentally clicked FULL 26.2.  Opps!  Okay, real story... I reread the race recap from my first marathon and the emotions got the best of me.  I wanted that feeling again.  I wanted the next couple months to be work for me.  I have the perfect running partners who are also training for a spring marathon.  Family in the area means no hotel costs.  And the medal for the full is just so freakin' cool...  All the pieces just fit.  So Marathon #2, here I come!

Ragnar Ultra Relay - Madison to Chicago

June 8-9

As a team of six women, we'll jam ourselves in two vans and split a 197 mile run over the course of two days.  This week, we found our final runner and will be officially registering shortly. I can't tell you how excited I am for this one.  I really want to test myself and log some serious miles in the training for this event. I see two-a-days in my future!

Oshkosh Area Sprint Triathlon

August 5

This will be a new experience for me, reaching outside my comfort zone for my first TRIATHLON!  I look forward to mixing up my summer training with the addition of biking and swimming.  I plan to get into the gym pool next week to start working on my form.  Best of all, this event is held in my hometown... the village (population 2,000) where I graduated high school.  It will be cool to compete in the lake where we skinny-dipped boated and the country roads we parked learned to drive on.

See my complete 2012 Race Calendar here.

ASPIRE TO INSPIRE

Over this past year of blogging, I've received so many nice messages from readers saying I inspire THEM.  Thank you, I'm honored and humbled by that.  I'm just a Midwest gal trying to find her way myself.  So it truly warms my heart when I play a small role inspiring someone else to lace up, go for a run and lead a more active life.  I truly believe in those magical endorphins! I'll continue to blog - share my story, my successes and my failures in 2012 in hopes that it will motivate you, befriend you or at least give you a good laugh.  Thank you so much readers and fellow Sole Sisters for making me feel loved!

Have no doubt, it's going to be a great 2012!  

Which one of YOUR 2012 challenges are you most excited about?