More on that later because I think it's important to look back before I delve into where I want to go...
So here are the noteworthy headlines of 2015:
* In January I did the Frozen Gnome 10K, one of the most challenging races I've ever done
* In April I traveled to Nashville with Mike and did the Rock N Roll Half Marathon, SO FUN! It was the first time traveling for a race and to get to do it as a weekend long date with my husband was INCREDIBLE!
* In May I was honored to be one of my student's running buddies for Girls on the Run
* In June, I had the TIME OF MY LIFE doing Ragnar with my awesome running group, Moms Run This Town.
* I had two amazing vacations with my family to Silver Lake, MI and Mirror Lake State Park in WI Dells. We made many memories and hopefully planted and watered the seeds for a love of the outdoors in my children
* In October I ran my second marathon and PR'd by almost 20 minutes from my first!
*I've continued to be able to be The Running Depot's ambassador and get to run in local races and have some awesome experiences!
In looking back on my goals for the last two years, I was happy to see that I accomplished a couple of them: I did join an AMAZING running group and have met some of my most favorite people as a result! Whatever you do or are interested in: Find your people!!! The encouragement and motivation I get from these ladies (and hopefully give back!!) is incredible. I CAN NOT emphasize this enough: I would not be who I am today if it wasn't for the ladies in this group.
Let's get to what I did NOT accomplish:
I was a little...disgusted is a strong word. Let's use disheartened . I was disheartened to read that it has been my goal the last TWO years to get into the "normal" weight range for my height. I have not done really well with this at all and have been gaining. Ugh. I could go on about this and make excuses. Looking back into the archives, I've written about how I need to get back on My Fitness Pal. I KNOW (like before) that I need to get back to it. But this time is serious. I've gained 20 (or more, maybe!!!) pounds since my lowest and I just can't keep going. Something HAS to give. Starting Monday I am back to it. It's going to be hard, but I think a weekly check-in on here will be necessary. Sorry in advance if you I get annoying. I know I'm strong enough to do it. I have to be humble enough to get back on track. I've lost 90lbs before. I can get back on track again.
So, in other words, I have to up the ante. I can't expect to keep doing the same things and expecting the same results. I have to start adding some different tools to my fitness toolbelt. I have to get back onto MFP and be DILIGENT. So this brings me to my goals for 2016...drum roll, please...
1) I will add biking and swimming to my regime and sign up for my first triathlon! The 2016 Espirit DeShe in Naperville in June. I can't wait!!!
2) I will keep working on my trail running. I am going back and forth with wanting to commit to my first 50K in April. The Earth Day 50K is on my radar and I think it would be a great first 50K. I'm having a hard time committing to this right now.
3) I participated in a challenge with an online running group to run/walk at least 1 mile a day from Thanksgiving to New Years Day. I took it pretty seriously and was able to complete the mile for all but 3 days. It was great to make myself get out there on some days I normally wouldn't have done anything. Some of the days, I even got out with my son and had some extra one-on-one time. I want to continue this challenge for the entire year. I know I won't get out and do a mile EVERY day for 366 days this year, but I like that it got me out more often than I normally would. Sometimes on the walk days I did more than 1 miles, because, hey, why not? I was already out there!
And finally
4) I will start tracking my food intake again and be diligent. Third time's a charm, right?
I hope you have all had a wonderful start to 2016, friends! Thank you so much for reading! I would love to hear what your goals are for this new year! It's so inspiring to share and encourage each other. I will be blogging more often, because I know that it helps me stay accountable. AND next week is Frozen Gnome 2016! I can't wait! Let me know what helps you! It might just help another person find what they're looking for! Have a great week, friends!