2011 Goals: Win, Lose, or Draw?

I, along with the rest of the blog world, threw out some lofty goals a mere 365-ish days ago.  Some were a bust, and some were a giant win.  Shall we take a gander?


Running and Fitness

• Break 4 hours in the marathon

FAIL.  But not for lack of trying.  2012 will be there year for this.

• Run a sub 1:50 half marathon

Close but no cigar.  Like 57 seconds close.  But honestly, I could not have ran a stitch faster than I did that day.  I dry heaved for about 8 minutes after crossing the finish line, if that's any indicator.

• Run a 5k in 22:xx

FAIL. Again.  I was somewhat close on this, but it was on a short course.  I also only raced one 5k this year.  What the heck?  who am I?

• Become a mentally tough runner

I count this one as a win.  I had a couple of races this year that I wanted to give up on for pain/injuries/potential diarrheal explosions on the race course (Fargo half food poisoning, I'm looking at you here...), but didn't.  But there's still plenty of room for improvement!

• Practice yoga more regularly (either alone or at a studio)

Fail. Although I have bought some groupons and fitness class passes to make this a go for 2012.  Baby steps, obvs.

• Find new running buddies!

Success!  I ran with a running group a couple of times and went on some running dates with Dailymile friends.  

• Stay injury free

Fail.  Better luck next year!

• Run 1600 miles for the year

Holy crap, this was my goal?  Way fail.  I think halfway through the year I settled on 1400, and I didn't even swing that.

• Lift regularly (regularly is a loose term here FYI)

Fail of epic proportions.  Although I have asked Kyle to come with me to the gym to help me get a weight routine going.  I've also toyed with doing a personal training session or two with the trainer at my gym who runs marathons and does tris.  Baby steps.  Again.

Personal Goals

• Get in to a Master's program for Library Science

Success!  Roll Tide Roll!

• Join a book club 

Success!  I attended a few put on by the public library.  And then my work schedule switched to two nights a week and my class schedule was the other two nights.  Maybe by the time I'm done with school I can be leading the book clubs. ;)

• Join a Stitch and Bitch group 

Fail. Again the local group met on my work night.  Bummer.

• Continue to find fun crafty ways to utilize my creative side 

Fail.  All my limited free time is taken up by running and reading.  Crafting will have to wait another 5 semesters.  That's ok with me.

• No more truck driver mouth (no offense to any (?) truck drivers who may read my blog)

I'd say I'm better with this.  It tends to flair up after I hang out with Jenn.  ;)

• Take more photos (rekindle photo project:  Project 52!)

WIN!  All done!  (Once I post the last few pics to my blog!)

• Average more scarf sales per month than in 2010

Fail.  Although I rarely advertised because I had so little time to crochet.

• Live and love life

One of the best years ever.  Major success!

So what did we learn here?  Anything running related, I bombed at, and anything that enhanced me as an individual I succeeded.  Hmm... ok then.  Here's to 2012!

2011 Goal Check In

This post is approximately 11 days late, but whatever.  That just means you're suuuuuuuuuuper sick of everyone else's "half way through the year check in!" posts and will be super psyched for mine, right?  :)

Running and Fitness

• Break 4 hours in the marathon--A Big fat fail. And given I won't do another in 2011, it will remain a fail.  Le sigh.
• Run a sub 1:50 half marathon--57 seconds away in April. I think this will be dust in September or October.  The fall o' the half marathon 1:4x's.... :)
• Run a 5k in 22:xx--I've yet to race a 5k.  However, I know my speedwork isn't anywhere near this right now.  Maybe this fall before the snow?
• Become a mentally tough runner--It comes and goes.  So far this year I've raced a smart 10k and half marathon.  Granted, I went in to the races not racing, so who knows.  I've yet to learn to not be a whiny little B when running/racing in the heat and humidity... soooooooooo yeah. 
• Practice yoga more regularly (either alone or at a studio)--More?  Yes.  As much as I'd like?  No.  I do have some groupons for yoga studios that I'll be using shortly.  Yay.
• Find new running buddies!--Considering there was a week awhile ago that I didn't run solo once, I'd say I'm doing just dandy on this.
• Stay injury free-- :'(
• Run 1600 miles for the year--Halway check in is at 634.1.  This mileage goal was assuming I'd do a fall marathon, and be injury free, so it may need a re-assessment.  Maybe 1400?
• Lift regularly (regularly is a loose term here FYI)--I carry my groceries in once/month.  Aka getting my swoll on.

Personal Goals

• Get in to a Master's program for Library Science--Yayzies!  Win. 
• Join a book club--Check.  I've attended a few different book clubs at the public libraries.
• Join a Stitch and Bitch group--My work schedule has prohibited me from attending.
• Continue to find fun crafty ways to utilize my creative side--Nothing yet, but I have some projects stored up for a rainy day.  The winter tends to bring out my crafty side.
• No more truck driver mouth (no offense to any (?) truck drivers who may read my blog)--Fail.  I might be swearing more now.  Kyle yells at me for it, frequently. 
• Take more photos (rekindle photo project: Project 52!)--Since my phone takes fairly decent pictures, I have done better with this, and Project 52 is coming along nicely, even if I don't update it FOREVER.
• Average more scarf sales per month than in 2010--Won't even start marketing them til September.  Who wants to think about cold weather?  Gross.
• Live and love life--Done.

This weekend I got in a hot and miserable 10 mile long run.  I got chills towards the end of it.... in 85 degree temps and 80% humidity.  So... yeah.... that was fun.  We did manage to go out for ice cream afterwards for "breakfast" so I guess I can handle almost a touch of heat stroke for that.

Oh and I went through 30 oz. of water in that 10 miles.  And still had a monster headache all day.  I love my sweat machine (=body!). :)

2011 Goals

In lieu of resolutions, I much prefer to have goals. Yes, one could argue that they're roughly the same thing. But I seem to work better with the latter. So sue me. No really, don't. I have very little money, and that wouldn't do you any good, and would likely waste both of our time.

Running and Fitness

• Break 4 hours in the marathon
• Run a sub 1:50 half marathon
• Run a 5k in 22:xx
• Become a mentally tough runner
• Practice yoga more regularly (either alone or at a studio)
• Find new running buddies!
• Stay injury free
• Run 1600 miles for the year
• Lift regularly (regularly is a loose term here FYI)

Personal Goals

• Get in to a Master's program for Library Science
• Join a book club 
• Join a Stitch and Bitch group 
• (I swear to God it's harder to meet chickies to be friends with than it is to find boys to date.... where are all the good ladies at?!?!? :p) 
• Continue to find fun crafty ways to utilize my creative side 
• No more truck driver mouth (no offense to any (?) truck drivers who may read my blog)
• Take more photos (rekindle photo project:  Project 52!)
• Average more scarf sales per month than in 2010
• Live and love life

So Sunday night I took a little tumble on the ice.  After coming and going much of Sunday daytime, and being warned "be careful, don't slip!" every time I stepped outdoors, I became a bit cocky.  Even after slipping, I would point out that "I'm like a cat!  I always land on my feet!  I have an excellent center of gravity...... must be all the core work and yoga I do.  P.S.  Toot toot!"

Well wouldn't you know it, as soon as I'm by myself (thank GOD!) and hustling to get to my car I EAT $#!t hardcore.  We're talking my 120 pound frame coming down on that solid sheet of ice as if I were a 330 pound linebacker.  Naturally my left hip (precious precious hip that I've had issues with for roughly 13-14 years now) took the major brunt of the fall.  I totally get how old people break their hips!  Sweet jesus.  Monday morning I realized my thigh was in pain as well.  Monday afternoon rolled around and I could barely move my left arm/shoulder.  You know that deep muscle pain you have when you get a shot in your arm?  (I'm thinking that horrible meningitis shot I had to get pre-college enrollment... OUCH!)  That's what my arm feels like.  Anyway, I opted to take a rest day on Monday since I had to have someone help me into and out of my zip up hoody.  Oy.

Today I figured my arm couldn't hurt any worse, and perhaps the run would loosen it up.  I did an easy 5 miler on the treadmill at the gym because it's still balls cold out.  I am getting really good at reading while running at a slower pace.  I've knocked out 3 magazines cover to cover at the gym over the last 9 miles.  I think it's just a matter of time before I break down and by myself the Nook!!!  I can't wait.  But really... I will.  Because... money doesn't grow on trees and all... plus I kind of spoiled myself already for Christmas/birthday.

I did 5 miles in 47:40 for a pace of 9:32.

And just because.... I found this pic on my camera.  Apparently I carried my camera with me on a day where the snow was falling all beautiful like.  I look pretty joyous in the picture, but I can't for the life of me remember when it was taken.... the treadmill is eating my soul.... and brain.