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I have never really cared for New Year's resolutions. I have always been the "if you want to set a goal or make a change just do it now and don't wait until the new year" kind of guy. However, I often find myself lost in contemplation. The beginning of a new year is as good a time as any to take a look back. I am constantly evaluating where I stand in regards to running. The following is where I stand today.
Three years ago I decided to buy my first pair of running shoes. Running changed my life. I can say that on here, this blog, because you fellow runners will understand, certainly more than others, what that means. If you need more of an explanation, join me for a long run and I would be happy to explain.
I have made some significant improvements and have achieved things I never thought I would in those three years. Yet, I feel like I am just being introduced to this mammoth beast known as running. I am a rookie with high hopes for the future. I finished 2014 off strong with just shy of 2500 miles and a solid base to roll into the new year. I have a goal to run my fastest marathon to date at Ogden in May. It is going to take a lot of work, but I feel like I have the necessary tools to do the work.
I am trying to see where I can work a little harder and tweak my training here and there. Typically, I run 6 days a week. 99.9% of the time I only run once a day. 6 days a week without any doubles (and a full-time job and family) naturally caps the number of miles I can log. So, I am trying to see where I can make adjustments to take the next step up.
I have never "cross-trained." It is not that I don't think I could benefit from it. I am sure I would. It is just that the time I have carved out for running, I dedicate to running. I enjoy one day off a week. I feel like it helps me mentally. I am starting to wonder if I really need it though. Occasionally I log some easy miles on Sunday to loosen up from a strenuous long Saturday run or workout. I have found that I still get my mental break, but also start the week off with 4-5 miles. Yesterday, I hopped on the spin bike for 45 minutes. Again, there was no mental strain in deciding to hop on or not. It was quite refreshing to do something physical other than running. And, it didn't cut into my running time.
Perhaps, I am simply writing this to digest it all for myself. Here seemed like a good place to do so. So, now I look forward. Here's to another year.
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