Monday, January 5, 2015

2015 Goals and Plans

Now that we are almost finished up with half marathon training (just two weeks to go before Houston!), I can finally start thinking about what's next...which conveniently coincides with the new year...how 'bout that?  While I don't do traditional resolutions, I do have some loose plans and goals for 2015, and if I don't write them down, I'll forget half of them, so here goes:
  1. Mix up my exercise.  I haven't been to Planet Fitness in a couple of months because quite frankly, I was just plain tired with all of the running I was doing.  But I really enjoyed how strong my entire body felt when I was working out there, so I'm going to start up again once I've completed the Houston Half Marathon on January 18th.
  2. Run less miles, but increase my pace.  Once upon a time, I used to run an 11:30 - 12:00/mile pace.  Injuries plagued me, and I slowed way down; as I said a few weeks ago, I trained safe, not fast, this year.  It worked - I've made it through seven months of half marathon training uninjured!  But now, I want to get a little faster, so I'm going to push it a bit - but for just a mile or two.  And my Saturday long runs will range from 3 to 5 miles - no more.  I'm not going to train for a half marathon in 2015.  
  3. Eat more vegetables.  I've fallen off the veggie wagon over the past few months and it's time to get better with that, which I suppose means actually cooking a bit...hmmm, I think I see the issue.  OK, I'll amend this - 3a:  Cook a damn meal once a week. 
  4. Spend less, purge more, live with what I have.  Except for Houston...I freely admit I'm going into it wanting ALLLLL the race-branded paraphernalia.  I don't work, so I don't need much in the way of clothing or shoes (running clothes and shoes excepted - I actually DO wear that stuff out).  Much as I like shopping, I don't like having so much stuff, if that make sense.  We got rid of a ton of stuff when we cleaned out our garage recently, and I haven't missed anything that went to Goodwill.  Next up is the guest room closet - time for more treasures to go bye-bye.
You will notice that there is no mention of losing weight, or fitting into a certain clothing size.  After so many years of keeping off most of the weight that I lost in 2008/09, I'm pretty comfortable with where I am.  I'd like to be fitter and faster, but I couldn't care less about weight/size specifics...for me, hyper-focusing on numbers takes the fun out of life.  If you need to lose weight to get fit and healthy, then by all means, do so - it's totally worth it - but don't forget to look at what really matters.  I've yet to see anyone's weight listed in an obituary.
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22 comments:

  1. FranJanuary 5, 2015 at 6:15:00 AM CST

    I like your goals and think they are totally within reach too.

    I was running yesterday morning and thought about pace. Mine isn't very fast now either and I decided I wanted to run a 5K first and then do another 5K program to get faster. I have no intentions to run races this year either. I'm not even sure if I ever want to try a half again. I'm perfectly happy at the moment with running how I do it now.

    Number 4 is a good one for me too. Sometimes the internet is a terrible thing because it makes online shopping so easy and you have pressed the button before you know it.

    Good luck, you will be great at it!

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    1. ShelleyJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:59:00 AM CST

      Well, there are many who would scoff at an 11:30 running pace, so I guess "fast" is all relative. Mostly I just want to run and let myself go at whatever pace feels good, with no worries about holding back.

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  2. HelenJanuary 5, 2015 at 7:15:00 AM CST

    I did not realize that you and I were so opposite about making a meal. One of my goals is to NOT cook so much LOL! But I'm with you on the purging thing. I can not wait for spring to do it!

    I think you're really going to enjoy the change up in your exercise routine once you're done with Houston. It will be nice break for your body too.

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    1. ShelleyJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:57:00 AM CST

      I have really gotten out of the cooking mode over the last few years. This week, I'm assembling some dinners (including roasting some veggies), which is a good start for me.

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  3. LoriJanuary 5, 2015 at 8:57:00 AM CST

    Yay veggies! I was kinda hoping for the 2000 mile biking goal, though :D

    I still purge, even after moving and purging stuff already! I have another bag to take to the SA. I do accumulate things, though, as you know. I try to make a rule that for everything I buy, something has to be donated or sold.

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    1. ShelleyJanuary 5, 2015 at 9:56:00 AM CST

      Yep, it was the veggies. :) As for 2000 on a bike, can you imagine doing that on my beach cruiser? I don't think it would be possible, LOL!

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  4. BizJanuary 5, 2015 at 10:16:00 AM CST

    This was my favorite line of this whole post: "I'd like to be fitter and faster." Awesome goal! Here's to a healthy 2015! :D

    And maybe, I know its winter, but you could do your big ass salads - you love them in the summer time :D

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    1. ShelleyJanuary 5, 2015 at 11:52:00 AM CST

      I did stop and look at the hearts of romaine when I was at Sam's Club yesterday...

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  5. debbyJanuary 5, 2015 at 11:21:00 AM CST

    Hey, to add to Biz's idea--you could do the BA salad with a baked potato--a very satisfying winter meal. And really, I think even you could put a raw potato in the oven :)

    That's three of us on the MORE VEGGIES bandwagon! I never really fell off of it, because I really like them. But sometimes I get lazy.

    Well, you know I"m with you on the purging and living more simply. Also, I haven't said it out loud yet, but I am on a "book fast" this year. No buying new books. I have so many I've bought and hardly looked at/read.

    And, worrywart that I am, I am a little relieved to hear that you won't be training for half marathons this year. I think you'll enjoy your running a lot more. Plus, bonus, you can go to running group and just be one of the group, right?!

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    1. ShelleyJanuary 5, 2015 at 11:55:00 AM CST

      Maybe when I buy my potato for that vegetable tian, I'll buy another? LOL - it's the simple things that I forget are possible. ;)

      I'm with you on the no books, especially after I sent boxes of them to Goodwill. OK, a lot were kid's books, but still. I think if I really want to read something, I'll get it on Kindle - then I won't have to store it.

      Believe me, I'm relieved to not be facing any more halfs after Houston. I think I'm lucky that my body held up w/no injuries this season...why tempt fate again so soon? I haven't had the best of luck in that arena. And yes, simply going to running club and running, not doing anything else, is going to be amazing! :)

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    2. HelenJanuary 5, 2015 at 12:31:00 PM CST

      OK Debby you made me laugh with the potato line. But Shelley, you don't even have to put one in the oven - you can actually cook one in the microwave in like 7 minutes lol! (Baked is better though.)

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    3. debbyJanuary 5, 2015 at 1:37:00 PM CST

      Oh, and continuing with the potato talk, I forgot that I bought three little "creamer" red potatoes to use instead of one regular, because I wanted all the veggie rounds to be about the same size. Plus, those little creamer potatoes are tasty.

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    4. ShelleyJanuary 5, 2015 at 2:09:00 PM CST

      I've never heard of creamer potatoes! Will have to look for them. You're full of potatoe-y info today, Debby! ;)

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  6. Jill A January 5, 2015 at 11:25:00 AM CST

    Wow - that last line stopped me in my tracks. That's pretty deep stuff! Pretty sure you wrote those last two sentences for me exclusively. ;)

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  7. LaShauneJanuary 5, 2015 at 3:07:00 PM CST

    fabulous goals and I'll be looking for you in 2 weeks (cheering from the sidelines).

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2015 at 4:16:00 PM CST

    GREAT goals Shelley! The last sentence is FANTASTIC! We're getting rid of "stuff" too....suddenly, less seems more.

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2015 at 11:02:00 AM CST

    Love those goals!! Id love to be at the 12:00 pace mark too!! I will get there this year. A while back you did a post about your favorite running socks, but I can not find it!! Can you remind me which ones you recommended. I have swiftsocks but with my Amazon Christmas gift card I want to try a different brand.

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    1. ShelleyJanuary 6, 2015 at 12:06:00 PM CST

      My favorite socks for years were the Thorlo Experias; then I switched to Swiftwick, and now I'm on Balega - I still like the Swiftwick, but needed a higher sock to wear with my Hoka running shoes. Complicated enough answer for you? ;) I think it's good to shop around and see what works best for you - nice that you can do it with a gift card!

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    2. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2015 at 5:30:00 PM CST

      That's funny. I couldn't remember if you liked Thorlo or balega..... I guess it was both!!!

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  10. Cammy@TippyToeDietJanuary 6, 2015 at 9:21:00 PM CST

    These are great goals! I'm with you on the purging and living with less. I've been rocking the veggies, but not the decluttering. :)

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  11. UnknownJanuary 7, 2015 at 4:06:00 AM CST

    oh oh oh after unpacking (and after purging before we moved) IM IN IN FOR THE SPEND LESS PURGE MORE.

    still.

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