Running Into A New Year: Lacing Up For New Goals

With the end of 2015 upon us I have been thinking hard about what I want 2016 to look like for me. I was thrilled to meet my goal for 2015 of completing four Half Marathons bringing me to a total of six Half Marathons in the books for me. In those races I was able to hit a PR of 1:36:43, I ran one of those Half's without looking at my watch at all and I managed to exceed last years miles logged for the year. With a new year brings new fitness goals. I want to push myself harder and come out even stronger in the year ahead. Here is what I am envisioning for the year ahead:

Running a race out of state: I am so excited that the day after Christmas I decided to give myself a gift and I registered for my first Half Marathon for 2016. The best part about this is it will be my first Half Marathon not in Vermont. Since I lived in Massachusetts for years and consider it "home", it seemed fitting that I run my first out of state race there. I signed up for the Worcester Running Festival Half Marathon! I got butterfly's in my stomach the moment I received my confirmation email. I am excited about the coarse and think this will be a fun race. 

A minimum of  Five Half Marathon's: Last year I set a goal for three to four Half Marathons from April to October. I was thrilled to hit four! This year the plan is to do four to five Half's by then end of 2016. Five of coarse is what I have in my heart set on yet the Vermont City Marathon that I split with my father is a race that is by lottery if you do not do the full Marathon. This was my first half in 2014 and has always been one of my favorite events, as a runner and a spectator. Fingers crossed when it comes time that the Running God's help me out so we get it! 

A race each month: Whether the distance be a 10K or 13.1 I would like to have a race on the calendar for each month from April to November.  This allows me to work on training in the early spring and continue with racing throughout the summer. I am a dedicated runner yet still find it pushes me harder to have a race scheduled. It becomes a challenge against myself to work on my intention and/or speed with each new race. I already have a growing list going of potential races to sign up for as registration opens for each one in the following year.

Increase my distance: The farthest distance I reached in 2015 was sixteen miles. The goal here is to complete a 30K in September. I will be honest, this one makes me nervous. I do believe it is attainable for me and with the right training I will be ready for it by the end of the summer. I figure with a few Half Marathons prior to the race and some longer runs in between, I can do it!

2015 was such a wonderful year personally and physically. I am grateful for my health, my body, and these legs which have carried me many miles. I am excited for what the next year will bring! 

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