Today I’m an Optimist

I gladly said good-bye to 2009 and I’m very hopeful for the new year.

I don’t like to get caught up in Resolutions, but really I think I already have. Setting goals for my family, my career, my fitness … isn’t it the same thing?

I’m optimistic because I usually don’t go so far as to think through my goals. But this year, I have. Now, I won’t go into specifics about what I hope to accomplish (ok, resolve to do) but I do want to document a few key goals for 2010. That way, you can help hold me accountable.

1. Family goals include getting my daughter into a number of assistance programs that can benefit her health care, aide her physical ability and help build our network of childcare providers.
2. Career goals remain in tact as I have a few ideas I’d like to help implement at work. I guess the goal is to get my ducks in a row and do it!
3. Fitness goals are the easiest to share as it’s all about my new-found love of running. I intend to finish 4 road races (one of which will be my first 10K).

On top of all that, I still need to dust ceiling fans. At least twice.

Today I’m a Runner

I had a great time today running a 5K race for charity. I’ve been training since the end of September and hoping to get hooked on racing. I’ve never been a runner, but always wanted to be. In fact, when I ran track in junior high, I was the one who ran anchor on the 4×4 relay team. Sounds good, right? Not so much. Because of the 3 relays teams we had, we were #3. And as the last event of the track meet, that meant I was the lone runner on the backstretch of the track with 200 yards left go when all my friends were packing up their gym bags. (Thanks, Mom for staying the stands to cheer for me!)

Last January, however, a small group of us began running for recreation. We came to the group with all kinds of backgrounds – walkers, runners and marathon-hopefuls. Our goal then was to run together in a 5K race in March. Several of us did it and I was hooked! My goal was to run the entire way without walking and wanted to finish under 40 minutes. Well, I finished in 00:41:51 but DID run the entire distance.

That said, the Texas summer rolled around and by mid-June, my Adidas were not hitting the pavement anymore. I’d pretty much abandoned the running “thing” altogether. But when a new group of people at work started up again this fall, I couldn’t resist. I joined them about 3 weeks into their training. I consistently ran twice a week with the group and ran on my own every weekend. I set my sights on a 5K in November.

After a brief falter with troublesome shin splints, I was ready. And today was the day. I had 3 goals:
1. Beat my Personal Record: 00:41:51
2. Finish under 00:38:00
3. Finish RUNNING strong

I was able to accomplish them all and I’m very proud of my progress. Not only did I come in under my goal time, I shaved 6 minutes off my PR with a time of 00:35:50.9! Having my family at the finish line made it all that much more spectacular!

OK, enough rambling, boasting and patting myself on the back. I guess I’m still jazzed about the adrenaline rush. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, trained with me and encouraged me along the way. I can’t wait for my next race! Will you join me?