Similarly, it can be a rewarding/telling experience for us to "check in" on our personal goals from time to time whether it is simply with ourselves or with a friend/significant other or accountability partner. Seeing as we are now one month into our new year, I thought it would be a good time to do a personal "check-in" and write a progress report regarding the goals I set for myself this year on January 1.
Rachel's Goals for 2015:
1- Run a sub 21:00 5k
Progress: I have run one race thus far in 2015: the Frosty 5k in Peoria on Saturday, January 24. I met up with my friends Andy and Paul at the race and was eager to see what I could do. I ran a mile to warm up and made the decision to race in only a tank top and capri-length running pants due to the weather being pretty mild considering it is the middle of winter in IL! This turned out to be a great choice as I quickly heated up, running the first mile of the race in 6:44. I crossed the finish line in 21:09, which was a PR of 1 minute and 8 seconds which bested my former 5k PR set in November of 2014. This race was a lot of fun and it was a great confidence booster as well. I really feel as if that sub 21:00 goal is well within my reach. My next 5k will likely be a St. Patrick's race in March here in my hometown. Perhaps I will smash my goal then...stay tuned!
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| My current PRs are posted in my office...I was excited to update my 5K PR on Monday morning! |
2- Run a sub 1:40 half marathon
Progress: As I stated above, I have run just one race thus far in 2015 and it was a 5k. However, I have run a number of longer training runs this month (the longest being 13.25 miles which was run rather easily). My best training run this month was a 10-mile run through a hilly route on the country roads around Downs, IL this past Saturday with seven guys. I surprised myself with the ability to keep up with a majority of the group and we finished 10 miles in 1:20 (8 minute/mile pace). If I were to run a half marathon at an 8 minute/mile pace, the total would be 1:44:48. This is not far off at all from 1:40. With some more focused training, plus race-day adrenaline...I feel that 1:40 is well within my reach. Time will tell! I registered for my first two half marathons of 2015 today...the Allerton Park Trail Half Marathon on Saturday, April 11 and the Illinois Marathon at the U of I on Saturday, April 25.
3- Place in my age group at Tr-Shark (local sprint triathlon in June)
Progress: My running is coming along rather nicely, but I didn't swim a single stroke in January. I rode a bit on the bike trainer inside...but nothing really notable. Clearly if I wish to see this goal come to fruition, I need to put forth some focused efforts in the pool and on the bike. This event is just four months away!
4- Complete a sub 6 hour 70.3
Progress: See above ;). Again...I need to buckle down and get in some good swim and bike work if I want to take this goal seriously. I AM having a lot of fun focusing on running...so we'll see :).
5- Run my 11th marathon sometime next fall in any amount of time
Progress: I haven't registered for a marathon yet, but I have registered for two halves (as stated above). I have a few fall marathons that I am considering...but each will stay open for quite some time so I have a few months to decide on a race based on how my run training is going.
6- Get Married
Progress: Our wedding is SIX MONTHS from today! Yes, we have set a date (August 1!), we have a location, our photographer is in the works, we designed and ordered our Save The Date cards (today...snow day productivity!), our wedding party is in the works, my dress is ordered (!!!!!), we made a website today, and we have been discussing the groom's attire. We have made a LOT of progress regarding wedding plans...and we haven't had any arguing regarding any of it!
7- Log all of my training miles so I can report back on yearly totals at this time next year :-)
Progress: I started a training log and filled it out diligently...I have entries in my log for every single day in January and today (Feb 1)! I'm quite proud.
Some highlights:
~Total Miles Run Year To Date: 142.15
~Total Miles Run with Clint: 82.45 (we have a goal of running 500+ miles together before 8/1!)
~Fastest Mile Recorded this Month: 6:44 (mile 1 of the 5k I ran last weekend)
~Longest Run this Month: 13.25 miles on Jan. 18
~Most Frequent Distance Ran this Month: 9 miles (four 9-mile runs this month)
~Best Pace on a Run 6+ Miles: 8:00/mile (10 mile total run Saturday, January 31)
Other highlights from this month:
~I have committed to being the Middle School track coach at Metcalf (where I work as a speech-language pathologist). I'm super excited...and more than a little nervous about this as well. Any advice...feel free to send it my way!
~I'm still slowly yet steadily progressing toward my doctorate degree...I'm enrolled in a Special Education Law course this semester and am learning some things that have been immediately applicable to my work, which has been great
~Shimmer Suit Snow Angel Creation in honor of my Challenge Triathlon Team teammates today post-run...oh dear me ;).
~Clint and I have been conspiring about ways to incorporate an epic running adventure into our wedding day...stay tuned for details.
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| My Fiance! |
All in all...I am pleased with my January results and the progress I have made toward my 7 goals for 2015. Bring it on, February!
Happy training, all :),
Rachel
