Running into the new year..

Since we are approaching the end of the year, I know many folks start thinking about New Year's resolutions and such.  This year I am so thankful not to have "eat right and exercise" at the top of my list of things to do in the new year, because I've already been doing them for almost a year now. That feels really good. But, I think it's great to set goals, and a new year is always a perfect opportunity for that.

Each day I realize how important it is to me to have some kind of event on my calendar in order to stay motivated to keep moving and improving. Knowing that I have something coming up in the next month (5K etc), keeps me running and working out on a regular basis.

For that reason, I signed up for a membership at Pikes Peak Road Runners so that I can get discounted entry fees on hosted races next year.  Then, I went to the Running in the USA website because its such a great resource for finding upcoming events in any area. 

I know this is going to sound crazy (especially to me!), but I have gone ahead and put on my calendar specific running events next year, with the ultimate goal of running a 1/2 marathon by the end of next summer. Of course, I'll still be doing the Incline at least twice a week, because I'm addicted and I love it. I think its a reasonable goal, but I say this having only run 5k's, and my longest unofficial run being about 5.5 mi.  But hey, here it is, and will be cool to look back on this post a year from now and see how I did:


Sat. January 7th:  Monthly Nielsen Challenge - 2M

Sat. January 14th: PPRR Winter Series Race 1 - 3.3M

Sat. January 28th: PPRR Winter Series Race 2 - 4M

Sat. February 4th: Monthly Nielsen Challenge - 2M

Sun. February 5th: PPRR Super 1/2 Marathon and 5K - 3.1M

Sat. February 11th: PPRR Winter Series Race 3 - 5M

Sat. February 25th: PPRR Winter Series Race 4 - 6.2M

Sat. March 3rd: Monthly Nielsen Challenge - 2M

Sat. April 7th: Monthly Nielsen Challenge - 2M

Sat. April 14th: PPRR Tortoise and Hare 5K - 3.1M

Sat. May 5th: Take 5 in the Garden - 5M

Sat. May 19th: Run to the Shrine - 10K (6.2M)

Mon. May 28th: Bolder Boulder 10K - 6.2M

Sat. June 2nd: Monthly Nielsen Challenge - 2M

Sun. June 10th: Garden of the Gods 10 Mile - 10M

Sat. July 7th: Monthly Nielsen Challenge - 2M

Sat. August 4th: The Top Ten Mile Race - 10M

Sat. August 18th: Leadville Trail 100 mi run... HAH... NOT  :-)

Sun. August 19th: Warrior Dash Rockies - 3.2M with obstacles!

Mon. September 3rd: American Discovery Trail 1/2 Marathon - 13.1M

Ok.. that's as far as I got.  Honestly, just typing this has made me tired :-)  Beyond this, I know I want to do the PPRR Fall Series in October as well.

Anyway, I think this is reasonable to work up to a 1/2 marathon, but I guess we'll see how it goes.  Any advice and feedback is appreciated!

"Everyone who has run knows that its most important value is in removing tension and allowing a release from whatever other cares the day may bring." - Jimmy Carter