Ean Jackson's 2007 Fitness Resolutions

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.