Goals.

Do you regularly set fitness related goals? I find that when I do not have a goal in mind it is much easier to make excuses for missing workouts.  I am just too tired, too busy, it’s too early, too late…so many reasons NOT to workout, and without a goal, seemingly few reasons to exercise.

There are many different kinds of goals that you can set, for example:

Event Related Goals-You can set a goal to complete a specific event. It could be a 5K, a marathon, a bike race, tri-triathlon, etc. Setting a goal for a specific event (and registering for the event…when you put down the money you are even more motivated) gives you a built in time-line.

Weight Loss Goals- You can set a goal to lose a specific amount of weight within a specified time frame. Remember to set a reasonable, healthy goal (preferably under the advice of your health care provider, who can help you to determine a healthy goal) that is attainable.

Size Related Goal- Similar to weight loss goals, you can set a goal to achieve a specific jeans or dress size. You can even buy something in that size. The physical  reminder of your goal can help you to remain motivated.

What fitness goals are you working towards right now? Mine is a marathon in October!

Now for my race recap.

I had a fabulous experience racing in the Deseret News 10K this morning.  I woke up this morning at 4AM to throw on my Team Jamba Gear and grab everything I would need for the race in time to catch a ride with my friends to SLC for the race that began at 6:05 AM!

Here I am right before the race began:

As this was my first 10K, I was definitely nervous and unsure as to how fast to start out. But when the gun went off, my usual start of race adrenaline rush took over and, as per usual I started out a bit too fast, but not as bad as some races.  But this race was unique in that it was ALMOST entirely downhill. Now of course this is absolutely fabulous for times, but it is so hard to figure out how much to hold back. I definitely went a bit too fast in the beginning, finishing the first mile in just about 8 minutes. I slowed up a bit after that, but not much.  I hit 3 miles at around 25:30, but as the race went on the slope of the hill became more and more flat, so my speed slowed a bit more, but I was able to keep it going without going much slower than a 9 minute mile throughout the race.

Another fabulous thing about this race was running along the parade route. Here in Utah the 24th of July is a huge holiday (Pioneer Day, a holiday celebrating the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley). Each year a parade makes it’s way through downtown Salt Lake filled with fantastic floats. People camp out overnight to reserve their spaces along the parade route. This made for an amazing finish to the race. Running the last mile and a half with all of the parade goers cheering you on (one group even stood there handing out plastic glasses filled with sparkling cider). It was a huge motivator during a time in the race when you are exhausted and so want to slow down.

As I approached the finish line I was exhausted and had no kick left (which is rare, as I almost always have a kick left for the finish. But when I looked at my Garmin for my finish time I was thrilled! My Garmin read 54:16! I know that there is no way I could run a time like that on a flat course, but it is thrilling to know I ran a 10K at an average of about 8:45 pace!

My official chip finish time was: 54:13 making me 79th out of 257 in my age group and 403rd out of 1233 women! I am so happy with that, especially for my first 10K! I am ready to get back to training and achieve my goals (and set some more PRs, I am looking to run a 26 flat or better in the 5K before the year is out!)

Thanks for reading if you have gotten this far. Here are some photos of my friends and I post race (this is my good friend and her hubby, they were kind enough to let me tag along with them today)

I have a confession to make. . . Until yesterday I hadn’t run in three weeks. Yes, me, the one who told you all that I make time to run because I love it, I skipped running for three whole weeks!

I had a great time at Ragnar, even though we had people with injuries and some who got sick, making us finish about 2 and a half hours after we predicted. I was able to meet or beat my predicted times for each of my legs, even the one where I had to go 7.4 miles up hill on a dusty, narrow road, with cattle grates…Here’s a pick of me making my way up the hill, wearing some of my favorite gear:

Here’s a list of what I am wearing here (just cause I LOVE this stuff): Ryders Sunglasses, Sugoi tank, Gym Girl Ultra Skirt by Skirt Sports, RoadID, Nathan Hydration water bottle (seriously saved me to have this water with me!), Knee High Socks from Target, Sof Sole Cool Max socks under the knee high socks, Garmin Forerunner 305

The next weekend I ran a local 5K (running for Team Jamba!) and got a PR of 26:16! The race was a bit low on runners, so I actually got 4th place in my age group, just one spot out of the awards Here’s a photo of me in my great Team Jamba gear:

(ok, so the shirt is great, but the shorts are super short and show off the fact that I have big thighs, please ignore the yucky thighs)

The next week I had an experience that brought back some bad running memories. It brought back the times when I showed up to track practice to see another teammate practicing my relay hand off, the times when I was just not quite fast enough to qualify for the the next big meet. I have to admit, I got a little down and just didn’t have the heart to run for a little while. I needed a little bit of a break from running, to let those feeling go back where they belonged, in the past.

Last night I got back in the saddle again; I went for a  5 mile run at dusk. It was beautiful outside, and I enjoyed jogging along our local trails. It felt wonderful to get back to the sport I love!

Do you ever let emotional baggage get in the way of exercise? What do you do to get back in the saddle again after taking a break from exercise?