2010 is a big year here. In May, Beer Geek and I will have been married 15 years. In August, I turn 40. To celebrate, we have some exciting plans.
Big Plan #1 – We are going to Alaska. We honeymooned in Alaska and had a fabulous time. Now we are going to take the boys and hopefully spend two weeks exploring near Anchorage, likely the Kenai Peninsula and Denali National Park. My parents are considering going with us as well. I love doing cool stuff with my family and I will certainly appreciate being able to go out at least one night without the boys.
Big Plan #2 – I’m going to run a spring marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon did not go quite as I had planned. I want to run another to see if I can train better and run smarter and have a great experience. If I do, it may not be my last. If I don’t, then I’ll head back to the half marathon, hopefully stronger and able to run that distance faster.
My goals for the year are pretty directly related to the two big plans. As you might guess, the Alaska trip is a big ticket item, budgetwise. This will definitely affect the number of races I’ll be able to run as well as my ability to travel for races. My plan to do two halves in one weekend may be put on the back burner.
So, the goals are:
1. Train smart, enjoy my training, and successfully PR in a spring marathon.
Races I’m considering are 1) Pittsburgh Marathon on May 2. It has approximately 10,000 runners and is a hilly, city race similar to the kinds of races I’m used to running. As long as i register by the end of the month it costs $80.; 2)New Jersey Marathon also on May 2. It has only 2,500ish marathon runners and another 5,000 or so half marathon runners. It’s fairly close by and would make for a fun weekend. It costs $100.; 3) Bob Potts Marathon on May 16. It has a limit of 400 runners and is run on a crushed gravel path. This is about as different from my typical race as you could get without making me run up a mountain single track path. It is also close by and only costs $50. As an added bonus, RunningLaur is planning to run.
There are tons of other spring marathons, but I really want to run in a new state and time and finances require that it be a reasonable drive from our house. If you’ve run one of the above or are planning to run one, I’m all ears.
2. Race in at least 3 states.
This may be the year that 3 is all I manage. I’m planning to run the half marathon at the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon in Tennessee, I’ll run the marathon in whatever state I pick, and then (come hell or high water) I’ll find a race in Alaska. There’s a slim possibility I’ll manage something in the fall, but I’m not going to count on it this year.
3. Cross train.
I’m not going to be able to run 5 days a week, most weeks. My body just does better and stays injury free if I only run 4 days, even if I were to run the same number of miles. So, my goal is to find something else to do at least one day a week for at least a half hour. It may be a video, a class, the gym or some fitness game on the Wii. Heck, I may even lift weights occasionally (I’ll wait while you stop laughing…) Whatever it is, I figure I can squeeze 30 minutes out of each week to do something good for my body that isn’t running or walking.
4. 4 is the new 3.
For years, my minimum run has been 3 miles, which these days means 26-28 minutes of exercise. If I can find 28 minutes, I should be able to find the 8-10 minutes to do an extra mile. I may become the “stinky mom” who picks up her kid from school still sweaty, but at my current fitness level, there’s no reason (except taper) for my runs to be less than four miles.
That’s it for my running goals. I’d like to run some other races. I’d like to hit 2010K for 2010. I’d even like to PR in a race or two. I think I’ll accomplish some of that as a part of the above goals, but if I don’t, that’s ok.
Non-running goals (yes, I have a few of those as well.)
1. Bring a little beer to the blog.
I love good beer at least as much as running, maybe even as much as I love Beer Geek. OK, not really that much, but I do love a good beer. We do a lot of beer related stuff – host beer tastings at our home, travel to visit new brewpubs, attend professionally run beer tastings, donate a beer dinner to Jones’ school each year… While this will still be mainly a running blog (I’m going to have to wine about marathon training somewhere), I’m planning to get back to writing the occasional beer post. It might be about a specific beer or a specific brewery or some event, but it will be beer related.
2. Start exploring how to turn some of my interests into a job.
I loved my career as a business and legal librarian. It was challenging and interesting and I’d go back to it in a heartbeat. There’s really only one thing holding me back. I would prefer not to work full time, even once Shoo is in school. I have some tentative ideas swirling around in my head, which I’ll share if they go anywhere.
So, that’s 2010 in a nutshell. How it will actually pan out remains to be seen. I’ve had two really nice runs so far this year, although they were both done on the treadmill (I don’t run in 25 mph winds). Jones goes back to school tomorrow and Shoo goes back on Tuesday, so I’ll be able to get the house back in order soon. Marathon training starts this week, so I guess I ought to figure out which plan I’m using. ;o)
I love your goals. I happened across your blog through RunnerMom. I'd love to visit Alaska someday. Congrats on your big year.
Non-Running Goal #1 has my utmost approval!
2010 looks like a great year for you! What a great trip…a race of somekind might just be in order. When will you ever get THAT t-shirt?
Great goals! Looking forward to watching you fulfill them! Happy New Year!
Oooh I'm excited about the bringing beer to the blog goal! I have been to Alaska once and just loved it. This is going to be a great year for you guys!
I can't wait to hear all about the marathon training and more beer! Of course I hope that you pick Bob Potts, but if you can handle the hills and some urban blight, I've heard really good things about Pittsburgh.
you know, I grew up at Mile 0 of the Alaska highway – but I've never actually traveled up there to see it – I hear it's amazing though. Exciting plans! Can wait to see it all unfold.
Oooh, Alaska! Sounds wonderful!How about the Fargo Marathon?! Flat, Friendly, and Fast! 🙂
Wow 2010 will be quite a year for you! Cant wait to follow you and see what happens!
Awesome 2010 goals! Looking forward to it all (especially the beer and trip 🙂 )
Do New Jersey!!! I'll be there. I thought your plan was going to be to run the Alaska Marathon for a minute there…you totally tricked me.
Great goals for 2010! Isn't it too bad "professional beer drinker" or "mom who runs" doesn't pay well? I would be all over that job.
I'd love to go to Denali and Alaska. Enjoy. I guess I better figure out what to do in 2010. I guess it all hinges on if I get picked for NYC marathon.Have a great 2010.
Sounds like some great stuff for 2010! I'm jealous of the Alaska trip — sound slike so much fun!
I've never been to Alaska, always wanted to go. I'm envious!
Great goals!I turn 40 this year, too :-)On the job thing — I know what you mean. I've thought about what I will do when I no longer have a child at home full time. I'm pretty sure I won't go back to what I used to do when I worked full time. Right now, I do some freelance writing and editing and I hope to continue to do that. I never thought that I would be able to make it work, but I have. The flexibility is great. I hope you're able to find the same sort of thing!
Sounds like great plans for the year! Jealous of the Alaska trip!
Ooooh! It IS going to be a big year for you! Looks like you have some very amazing goals, and Alaska sounds like fun! 4 is the new 3, I like that too! 🙂
Great goals! You should do track w/ us if at all possible…it's early in the am or at night…perhaps before Beer Geek goes to work??We want to go to Alaska this year, too! Let me know if you find any good books/sites/etc!!