2013 Goals

2012 was a frustrating and hard year for me.  I found I was gluten-intolerant (am still having some digestive issues), starting having exercise-induced dizziness,  had a stress reaction in my femur, am still having residual pelvic floor and core issues from pregnancy (3yrs ago!), and I didn't attain any of my measurable goals.

This year, I am setting a different kind of goal.  This year is not going to be about measuring miles or PRs.  I'm not going to count the number of books I read or how many glasses of water I drink.

This year goals are going to be based on how I feel.

I am going to work on healing my digestive system and figuring out if I am sensitive to any other foods besides gluten. 

I am going to meditate regularly.  This may be a guided meditation or just spacing out for 5 minutes in my own head.

I am going to strengthen and heal my body and run/bike/swim as much or as little as feels right.  

I am going to be grateful for at least one thing each day.

To sum it all up:

In 2013, I am going to work to improve my health: physical, mental & spiritual.

What are your goals for 2013?

2012 Recap: Focus On The Positive

While it is traditional to revisit your goals from the previous year and publicly announce what you accomplished and what you didn't... I will NOT be doing that on this blog this year!  Why?  Well, for one main reason... because of an injury, I was not even able to compete at my goal races for the year or run for much of the year. 

So I'm not even looking at my goals from last year.  I know I had a high mileage goal and a couple PR goals, but it's hard to meet those when you can't run or compete! 

Instead, I am choosing to focus on what I DID do last year:

- I ran three half-marathons.
-One of the half-marathons was with my dad and sister, and though slow, was an amazing experience!
-We moved into the farmhouse that my grandpa and dad grew up in.  We did a lot of remodeling & redecorating.  I did much of the work myself.
-I PR'd at the 10K distance despite having to take a large amount of time off prior to the race for a stress reaction.
-We had a large garden this year with an amazing harvest!
-I took a masters swim course and greatly improved my swimming.  I'm still not fast but it is easier and I am more comfortable in open water.

So just remember, if YOU didn't meet your goals, look for the positive.  I'm sure you also did some GREAT things last year!  

Five For Friday: 1-4-13

1.  Mankato Marathon is offering HUGE early bird discounts for their full and half marathon race distances through Jan 10.  We've run the half the past two years as a low-pressure end of the season race and had a blast!  Great course, great people.  We've signed up for the half again... join us! Register here: http://mankatomarathon.com/races/registration/

2. Remember when I backed Bia on Kickstarter (see those posts here, here, and here)?  Well, now you can reserve your own!  I have been excitedly following their progress and can't wait to get my Bia on my wrist later this year! 

3.  I had some digestive issues over the holidays.  A good reminder that if you have sensitivites to KNOW the ingredients in the food you are eating instead of just assuming of guessing.  

4.  The strangest connections can happen on the internet.  I recently reached out to someone regarding my health issues via email.  She lives in California.  Turns out she is originally from Minnesota and not only does she know where my small town is but she's been here more than once!  Crazy!

5.  29 days to Sedona!

Ready or not...