Running resolutions

A friend posted on Facebook last night that someone is going to leave a status today that says "new year, new me!" I told her you won't be getting that from me! While I would like to tweak a few things like getting my diet back on track, I am generally satisfied fitness-wise. I have never been one for resolutions on January 1. I believe if you feel the need to change something in your life, you do it whenever the time is right for you. In fact, Runner's World has proven that many runners actually start their regimens in March, which is just when I did, going on, (gasp!) five years now.

So many of my running friends know exactly what they want. As usual, I'm flopping around on the dock like a grouper. One wanted to run up mountains, so she spent the summer in Maine doing just that. Two others just signed up for a 50 mile ultra (to which I have the utmost respect!) Another is still going strong attempting to become a 50 stater; others have the Disney challenges in mind.

Oh, I'd know what I'd want if I had the resources. I'd be a 50 stater 50 times over, not to mention every Canadian province. Then I'd go race in funky places like Istanbul or Auckland. But for the budget runner, it's a bit tougher.

I have been finding out that rest really doesn't do much for me (though a few non-runners dispute that. They think I get too worn out and crabby.) Since October 27th, I've only done one half, four 5k's and two non-competitive snowshoe events. I also dropped out of a five miler due to the lingering affects of a cold combined with frigid conditions. Yes, that might be a year of racing for many fast people, but not for this chick. The thought of a starting line really does help keep me motivated to keep working out even when I don't feel like it during the week.

So what DO I want? I guess I will give it a try:

 I would like to break 3 hours in a half marathon. You can all stop clutching your stomachs from laughter now, but for me it would be something. Mostly I'd like to get a little faster so that I don't have to worry about the SAG wagon. Time limits make me very nervous. Even though I was in no danger in Milwaukee, I think I pushed a little harder than I should have in that concrete jungle (to quote my brother-in-law) which is how I got injured. I didn't do the fall race in Madison due to a time limit, so I stood on the sidelines watching people I passed in May go by me. A friend said I must have looked like Aaron Rodgers standing on the sidelines after he broke his collarbone, thinking "give me the ball and let me play!"

Which leads me to Grandma's. I want to try to get into the Bjorkland half up in Duluth, which has a 3:03 time limit, although apparently it is not heavily enforced. Everyone knows how I love the Great Lakes, and you know that I am a firm believer in combining running with my other life interests.

Within a few years, I'd like to do a snowshoe 10k in a  respectable amount of time to qualify for the National Championships. They always say if you want to go to the Olympics or become a national champion in something, find a niche sport like team handball to do it in. Apparently, the snowshoe championships aren't much bigger than a regular race, but it would really be something to me to compete and finish there. Improving fitness isn't the biggest obstacle though, it's my fear factor on downhills and in the heavy woods.

I want to finish my book, tentatively called "The Absolute Beginners Guide to Racing" and get it on the Kindle. Even though a plate of escargot is faster than me, I think I have enough experience and knowledge to help someone else out.

Then there's the big one. Even though no one has ever said it, I can sense the question in the back of some minds when I tell them I've done 30 half-marathons: so when are you going to do a REAL marathon? My mother is skeptical, my dad watched a woman who was out cold for 45 minutes at the finish line, so he is convinced that's me. But my runner friends are much more optimistic. In fact, they are using a little friendly peer pressure: if you do the Fox Cities Marathon we will do it too and be there waiting for you. How can I resist that?!? I will sign up, and I can always drop back to the half if needed.

So apparently I do have some goals in mind after all. But a ticket to the London Marathon wouldn't be turned down either...