The big thing to note is that I achieved precisely none of the things that were on my running goals for 2011. Go me! They were all achievable, all realistic but they didn’t happen. But many good things have happened in 2011 that weren’t on the list of goals to tick off. In September I was shortlisted for a Blog award by Cosmopolitan magazine. Who could have seen that coming? And part way through the year I decided to turn my life upside down and spend four months travelling and running the other side of the globe.
Let’s break down last year’s to do list and see what we can learn…
3) Sub 1.55 half-marathon PB – again, this didn’t happen. The only half-marathon I did was 4 weeks after my marathon and two days after being struck down with a cold. Not the best time to achieve this. I did run a sub 1.55 half in training, but it’s unverified and so doesn’t count.
4) Complete Janathon – run every day in January – um, yeah I’m not Ron Hill. What can I say, it was cold.
5) 1000 miles run in 2011– as I’m writing this post in November I don’t know how close I’ve come to the 1000 miles mark but I know it won’t be happening. It’s a funny old thing the significance we put on certain numbers: sub-4, 1000 miles, 50 mins. 30 seconds the wrong way can feel like failure – but what’s 30 seconds? But still, chasing a number is a good motivator. Maybe next year I’ll break with running tradition and shoot for a sub 23.21 5k time.
Happy Boxing Day everyone!
Congratulations on your 2011 year of running & thanks for entertaining us throughout on your blog. K x
I’ve really enjoyed your blog this year – as a new runner I looked back on some of your older posts and got some good advice about not rushing back from injuries, and, with my first marathon coming up you have definately help me modify my approach so now my goal is to get round and enjoy it – no time limit! I hope you are havinga lovely time in Oz.
Need events? I’d recommend variety. Different distances, different pace. Start small and cheap, with a few 5k’s courtesy of http://www.parkrun.com. Then, pick a 10k trail event to give yourself an enjoyable run to push your PB on, perhaps rwtrailblazer.com (a premium entry fee, but a good day out). Or for something completely different (and chance to do a walk with some running, or a run with some walking) look up a Challenge Event near you from the LDWA.org – go slower, but go beyond marathon distance, without the pressure.
Happy trails in 2012!