It's Sunday 31 December 2006. I just assessed my 2006 fitness resolutions and gave myself a 75% or "C" grade. Room for improvement!
One of my BHAGs (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals) is to run my 100th ultramarathon during the year I turn 50. I recently turned 49. Given that I ended 2006 with 83 ultras under my belt, I'm going to have to run at least 10 ultras in 2007 if I'm to have a realistic crack at achieving my big goal. I'm also injured and out of shape.
When I look back on my resolutions for 2006 and think about how often I referred back to them over the year, I've come to the conclusion that writing goals down really helps me to achieve them. So, for nobody other than myself, here are my 2007 fitness resolutions:
Running events:
- Vancouver New Years Day Fat Ass 50K
- Squamish Scrambler Snowshoe Run
- Capilano Canyon MardiGras Night Run
- Chuckanut 50K
- Diez Vista 50K
- Mountain Highway Madness (3 laps, so I can count it as an ultra)
- North Shore Enduro (at least 50K)
- Wendy's 50K
- pace Wade Repta at the Western States 100-mile run
- XTC 50K
- Knee Knacker (assuming I get in)
- Bill's Great Peak Ascent
- STORMY
- Capilano Canyon Midsummer Nite Night Run
- Forbidden Forest Run
- Juan de Fuca Trail Run
- Mountain Highway Madness (3 laps, as above)
- Go Deep or Go Home
- 2 hash house harriers runs (dates TBD)
Things happen. Race cancellations, work or family commitments may mess up my plans to do any one of the above. I also may run other events. For the purposes of my resolutions, then, I'd be very happy to 12 out of the 17 listed above and get in at least 8 ultras. For the purposes of keeping score, I'll give myself credit for an equal trade. (E.g. no penalty if I trade one 50K run for another, for example.)
Apart from the running events, I aim to:
- get my knackered knees back into shape so I run without pain
- go to at least 50% of the Capilano Eagles Tuesday workouts (yes, rain or shine, so that makes 21+ times)
- stretch more... to the point where I come at least close to touching my toes
- get in the pool once every other week (21+ times) and win the Duel at the Pool 5K
- get on the bike once every other week (21+ times)
- get into the gym twice a week (100+ times)
- get on the snowshoes once a week (while there is snow - 20+ times)
- get in at least 15 days of downhill skiing (including several at Whistler)
- share some of my experience with a few up-and-coming runners and race directors
- volunteer (help with Club Fat Ass and the Capilano Eagles as a board member)
- drink more water
By the way, if you get ambitious, you can also post your New Years resolutions on this site.
Comments
Mid-Year Check-in
Technically-speaking, I suppose I should have checked in with my goals on July 1st, but hey, I've been busy runnin'...
Here's what I planned to do up to this date:
On the 12 goals, I'll give myself 9.5. (I didn't do all 3 laps of MHM I'd hoped to, so will only give myself half grades on that one. Wendy's run and Western States turned out to be the same weekend, so I couldn't swing both and my wife scooped me for Bill's.)
Bonus points for doing the Yeti night snowshoe run, winning the Marathon Shuffle 30K, and inventing and completing the Squamish Brick (back to back 40K runs one weekend on the 80K STORMY course.)
Other stuff:
A decent effort with room for improvement and 5 months to go. The knees are still knackered. I'm beginning to resolve myself to the fact that knee pain is Mother Nature's wakeup call and there's not much I can do. I've been going to the Eagles workouts regularly. Stretching, what's that? I started to train in Kits pool with the Whale Shark, but the municipal workers went on strike and closed the pool and the gym! Bike, what's that? 'Did a fair bit of snowshoe running and even bought a new pair of snowshoes, so looking good there. I expect to meet the downhill ski target by year end if there is snow on the local mountains. I have done tons of volunteer work in the running community and have been drinking a bit more water, I think. (Cramping up less on the long runs, so that's either due to better hydration or more running or both.)
Conclusion? With 5 months to go, I believe I can still get 90% on my goals!
you are already busted
Past Race Winners are Always In
Great post Ian! 83
I think I can help you with one of your resolutions
Of course, I will still be gunning to WIN the Resolution Challenge, but I figure that's only 1 out of 26, so there's still a lot of ground for you to cover on your own!
Oh, and as for your last entry, how about drinking more water AND beer, then its still at a nice equilibrium?! (haha)
"Everybody's gotta run sometime" - A3