Thursday, December 30, 2010

Three Things Thursday, Goals Edition ...

I've always been the type of person that does well with goals. I attribute that to the fact that I tend to see them as endpoints with a predetermined route. They are not suggestions. Or wishes. Or dreams. Instead, they are my finish line and I just need to do the things along the way to make it there. And although I have many goals for 2011, they all fall into one of three categories.

Personal:

  • Clean up my diet - I lost 70 pounds in 2004 and other than during pregnancies, have maintained quite well. But, my diet sucks. (Seriously. I ate 48 600-800 calorie cupcakes in 2010). I am a notorious calorie counter. I know how much I need each day to maintain my weight, but I often use up those calories with low-quality foods (i.e. sweets). And I am done with it.
  • Eat no more than 25 cupcakes - This really goes with the first one. I know I can't go cold turkey from cupcakes, so instead, I am cutting my quota in half.

Financial:

  • Pay off our consumer debt by the end of the year - As I mentioned before, J and I have gone to a cash only budget. It has been working and is helping to show me that all the things I thought I NEEDED were really just things I would LIKE to have.
  • Spend $0 on clothing - A few months ago, I whittled my wardrobe down to 35 items (running gear excluded). And have LOVED it. I have everything I need and I have zero unused items. (And we all know I have more than enough to run in ...) Because of this, I feel like I can make it a year without spending anything on clothing. However, this is not to say, I won't get any new pieces. I probably will, but they will either be given to me or purchased with a gift card.

Running:

  • Run 2,000 miles - This one seems kind of daunting, but not impossible. In 2009, I ran 921 miles. As of this morning, I have run 1797.87 in 2010 (and I have 10 more on the schedule). I figure if I managed to add 880 mile this year, I can surely add 200 in 2011.
  • Run a sub 1:55 half marathon - I should have this one in the bag, but it is going to be more of a mental challenge than a physical one for me. All of my current PRs from the 5K to 10 miles put me under this time. I just need to believe I can do it.
  • Take 30+ minutes off my marathon - I have yet to have everything go right on marathon day and my PR reflects it (4:49), leaving me to believe that shaving a half hour or more off my time is not only possible, but realistic. I mean, really. 5K PR puts my goal marathon time at 3:43:24 and my half marathon PR puts it at 4:04:43. It's going to come together in 2011.

41 comments:

Sally HP said...

What great goals for the New Year! I'm excited to see you meet them. I hear you on the cupcakes. Plus, isn't that why we run? SO we can indulge in a cupcake without feeling guilty? (notice I said A cupcake :))

gba_gf said...

I am in total agreement on the marathon thing. If you somehow don't get your marathon goal in March, you're going to pick a new race and I'm going to run you in the last 13... and that's my final word on it... and there will be no parcheesi that day. And I don't care if we have to drive to North Dakota to get the right weather. It's GOING to HAPPEN.

Lisa said...

sounds like a great plan for 2011 - good luck, I'll be cheering for you!

Running Ricig said...

These are great goals!

TaraT said...

Inspiring~ I'm working on my own goals, and your example is a reminder to set my sights high. Can't wait to hear the details of how you meet each of your goals this year.

Unknown said...

Great goals. Oh, how I wish you could come to Eugene and run that sub 1:55 with me in May!!! Sub 1:55 is my goal for the half this year too. I know we can do it (but not in SF!)

Oh, and love the cash only budget system. It really works!

Twila said...

Great goals! I am wanting to make some time goals for the year too!

I will eat all the extra cupcakes for you : ) Sounds like we have the same diet. I eat a lot of sweets and not enough "real" food. I am thinking about doing the cupcake quota for the year. I am think more like 1 every other week.

ajh said...

Great goals! I am bad on the sweets too. I count WW points but all the ones I have are not good ones!

Bethany + Ryan said...

sorry, but i can't get past the part where you stated exactly how many cupcakes you ate in 2010...lol, that's funny but great that you keep such a close on how much you are eating i guess. congrats on hitting so many miles!! I am jealous! I'll have 1,667 for 2010, i wish it was more but oh well. Have you ever run a marathon with a friend? someone pacing you or someone who runs your speed? or do you prefer to run solo? based on the amount of miles you run and based on your 5k time, i think you will no doubt have HUGE PRs in 2011! I'm excited to see how much speed you find next year!
I love my endurance bands!! I wonder if i can order a special one for my honeymoon marathons! :-)
Happy new year to you and your family!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

You are one tough cookie! You should do what makes you happy. We all could use cleaner diets with enjoying everything we eat instead of mindless munching.

I agree with you in living debt free as much as possible (meaning the only debt I will allow us to carry is on our mortgage or cars).

As for your running, well I don't have any doubts that you will see all those running goals crushed and then some. I think you under estimate your ability because of your numbers. If I have "listened" to my numbers and training for my first 3 marathons I would never have thought I could run 3:26 but I did. Because I didn't let those numbers predetermine what I thought I could do. You can and have proven you can do whatever you set your MIND to. I don't think it's about the numbers for you, it's simply a matter of mind.

Believe that you will because you already can!


side note: Bummer I see that you are running for your marathon PR at the end of March. Booo because that means not trail race with me at the beginning of March. And it is a great first ultra race. I'll have to start hounding G. ;-)

Aimee said...

I love all of your goals!! They all seem practical and totally doable!! Here's to a great 2011 year!!

Anonymous said...

Those seem like doable great goals!!! Here's to a new year!

Katie said...

These are great goals!!! You're going to knock 'em all out, I am sure!

Carly said...

Whew! You sure know how to pick some tough goals. You are far braver than I. :-P You go girl!

Anonymous said...

Great goals!
Check out my clif bar/gel/blok giveaway on my blog :)

H Love said...

You are so organized! Love it! You work so hard...quit counting cupcakes!

Unknown said...

Great goals. I have no doubt that you will rock them all. Oh, and I volunteer to handle the other 25 cupcakes for you.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Shelley said...

Instead of aiming for a mere 2,000 miles, you should go for 2011 - get it? I am in awe of anyone even THINKING of doing that amount - what an amazing goal!

Anonymous said...

You've got these goals, no problem. Especially the marathon one... you just haven't had your day yet, and when you do, you are going to smoke it!!!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Love the way you organized your goals!! But knowing how you work, that doesn't surprise me!! :)

CUPCAKES rock, only 25 ?!?!

I bet you can reaah your marathon goal!

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

I love these goals. I'm totally with you on the financial ones. Although I don't see all the debt going away in 2011. Maybe 2012. Except for the mortgage. We've got 12 more years there...

Tami said...

do you have thrift stores near you, goodwill or some other type? that is where i get all my clothes, i find great stuff and most of the time it's under a buck, i love the hunt and the good prices. I have found running stuff there before, even a pair of brand new New Balance trail running shoes that were perfect for me.

BabyWeightMyFatAss said...

Wonderful plans for the new year! Good luck!

Char said...

Do running shoes count as new clothing cause if you're planning on running 2000 miles next year you may need one or two new pairs?

Katie A. said...

Just getting alllll caught up!
Looking at these goals - you have them in the bag. I know you will accomplish what you set out to do. And as for 2010 goals, dang girl you rocked it! I know 2011 will be just as good in running as it has been.
Loved the Disney recap - and you're right, experiences are WAY more valuable than presnts, you did good!
Have a wonderful New Year!!! HUGS TO YOU MY FRIEND!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

Awesome goals!! You will get your 2000 miles!! I love that you are just cutting the cupcake consumption in half.....cupcakes are needed for happiness.

Unknown said...

Awesome goals! Wishing you the best in 2011!

Unknown said...

You counted the number of cupcakes you ate? Honestly, 48 is less than one a week. I reward myself with a giant sized Starbucks cookie after every weekly long run. Knowing you, if you aim for a number, you'll reach it; 25 is doable.
You are so right about the number games with running goals. Your head has to be in the right space, believing that you can do it; I know you can.

Jill said...

You will hit these goals and beyond! You are a total go getter when it comes to goals...it's awesome to see! Miss you friend.

The video of the girls was so fun to watch. Thanks for sharing.

Christine said...

Great goals for 2011! Good luck!!

Becka said...

Absolutely NO doubt in my mind that you can KILL your goals this year. Congrats on an awesome 2010, and heres to an ever better 2011.

You are one of the most inspiring bloggers I follow :D

Tortuga_Runner said...

All very challenging goals, but really the cupcake limitation sounds torturous.

a runners' life said...

Great goals. I'm with you on the sweets - though my problem is chocolate.
All the best in 2011 :)

Anonymous said...

I think my goal shall be 1,000 for 2011. I know you'll reach 2,000 with no problem and probably exceed it. :) I like your financial goals too! I need to pay off some bills in 2011

Sara said...

All of these are wonderful goals! My husband and I are moving to a cash budget this year as well, and I am really hoping to budget much better than I do. I like your idea about clothing. I just cleaned out a bunch of my closet (mostly things that don't fit or that I don't wear) and am donating clothes today. I also do not need to buy anymore clothes in 2011! Thank you for the tip - I want to work this into my future goals as well!

I am looking forward to reading about your accomplishments in 2011! Have a wonderfully happy and safe NYE!

Christy said...

You set the bar high for us mom-letes! Great goals...and good luck!

Christy
http://christy-goingthedistance.blogspot.com/

TutuRunner said...

those are some serious goals! i'm super impressed with your wardrobe count. someone else was talking about the 333 (i think that's what it's called) where you only have 33 items in your wardrobe for 3 months.
anywho, here's to a happy healthy year!
k

Anonymous said...

So impressed that you know exactly how many cupcakes you ate this year. I am scared to know how many I ate, but no time like now to start to keep track. What do you use to track your food?

Judi said...

Congratulations on your mileage! I think 2000 will be doable for you! Great goals! Happy New Year!

Marlene said...

Awesome goals.

Hubs and I have switched to cash as well and it's amazing how much less we are spending. Glad it's working for you too!

$0 on clothes... good for you!!!

You have some PR's to smash this year for sure. You will do it!

Ammie @ domesticallyobsessed.com said...

I LOVED your post on the 35 items of clothing. I might be taking a minimalist page out of your smart book and copying you. It's true, when you think about it. How much do you really NEED vs. what you really WANT??? I"m so curious how you guys are doing the cash thing? What do you do for your grocery budget? I feel like I won't succeed on cash because I ALMOST ALWAYS go over budget on groceries b/c of things I missed or didn't put on the list. Any advice? And--any advice on running prego? I'd like to do another 5K while expecting #3.