A fresh start

Image by joshjanssen via Flickr

We here at Running Shorts are big fans of New Year’s.  The opportunity to make resolutions and commit to becoming better runners is one we find ourselves looking forward to, even as we throw back just a few extra microbrews or knock down a couple more cupcakes than usual during the holidays.  True, there’s no reason you can’t make a resolution any day of the year, but New Year’s is a nice signpost to remind us that time stands still for no one, and it never fails to get us pumped to make something happen in the coming year.

We know of no better way to enhance our chances of success than making our resolutions public—everyone knows it’s a lot easier to quit on something when you’re the only one that knows about it!  With this in mind, here are the running-related goals we’ve set for ourselves in 2010, for all to see.  And to mock, should we fail!

Megan: When I decide to make a change, I often have the most success when I break it down into small, manageable chunks. Giving myself specific mini-goals (i.e. do core work for 10 minutes on Monday evening) helps me to avoid getting overwhelmed. My resolutions for 2010 mainly focus on getting stronger, preventing injury, and shaking up my running routine. I can’t wait!

1) Perform a hip-strengthening routine at least 4 times per week. I’ve finally recovered from my hamstring issues, but occasionally I feel twinges in my IT band, hips, and lower back. After reading a Running Times article about the effects of weak hips on running and injury, I’m beginning to think that mine are a contributing factor to my aches and pains. I plan on doing my strengthening exercises in the evening before bed while I watch TV or catch up with my roommate. Making a plan for a specific time of day will hopefully hold me more accountable.

2) Take at least one day off of running per week. Once I was able to start running again this fall I was so excited to be out on the roads that I didn’t give enough thought to rest days. I think for someone coming back from injury, not overdoing it on the mileage is crucial. I’ll allow myself to swim, do yoga, or cycle on my non-running days, but I won’t be pounding the pavement for more than 6 days a week.

3) Challenge myself to avoid a running rut. I’m not exactly sure how this resolution will pan out week-by-week, but I have a few ideas. It might mean signing up for a 5K or 4 mile race (I much prefer longer distances), making myself go to track club practice even if the workout sounds difficult or the weather is less than stellar, or perhaps considering a different type of race (trail? duathlon? relay?). I have a triathlon planned for January 10th and the thought of swimming scares me, but I know that facing this fear head-on will be a good thing!

Matt: My approach to New Year’s resolutions is a little different.  I’ve found that when I set a big, exciting goal instead of a “resolution” per se, I’m more likely to make it happen.  So, instead of committing to run X times per week, I set a race goal and use that for motivation.  Then I’ll naturally do whatever it takes to achieve that goal, and if that happens to be running X times per week, then I usually end up doing that anyway.  Make sense?

1) Run a 50-mile trail race. Ever since I qualified for Boston in October, the idea of running a 50-miler has fascinated me.  But though I’ve scheduled several 50K’s (the first of which is today!), I haven’t taken that crucial step we runners all know as the point of no return: registering for the race.  So I’ve committed to running a 50-miler on trails during 2010, and choosing a race and registering is the first step.  I secretly have my sights on a 100-miler towards the end of the year, but I’m not going to get carried away just yet.  If the 50 goes well, maybe, but don’t hold me to that one!

2) Take one hour every morning completely for myself. I’m sure I’ll be cursing this one when the alternative is rolling over and hitting the snooze button, but the purpose of this hour is to review my goals, get in a positive state of mind for the day, and stay focused on what I’ve determined to be of such importance in 2010.  (I set lots of goals; the ones listed here are just those that relate to running.)  But reviewing goals doesn’t take an hour, so I’m going to use the rest of the time to be creative, do some sort of supplementary exercises or stretching, read a chapter or two in a book, etc.  Anything I deem productive that’s not routine work.

So there you go: our plans to better ourselves as runners in 2010.  Have a fitness goal or resolution for the new year?  We’d love to hear about it — and making it public will go a long way to making sure you don’t find yourself staring down 2011, knowing your 2010 resolution didn’t see the end of January.