Monday, July 16, 2007

First Running Anniversary

"Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running."

Julie Isphording, winner of the 1990 Los Angeles Marathon


I have reached the end of my first year of running. Overall, it has been amazing, and I have closet full of technical clothing and worn out shoes to prove it!!!

Highlights:


  • Completed Fargo Marathon (first marathon and PR)

  • Completed Earth Day Half-Marathon (first half-marathon and PR)

  • Completed one 10K (first and PR)

  • Completed one 8K (first and PR)

  • Completed five 5K (#1 through #5; lowered my PR in each

  • approx. 775 total miles

  • Volunteered at two 5K races

  • Lowered my blood pressure

  • Improved my diet

  • Improved my overall health

  • Improved my attitude and peace of mind. . .


  • The last one is probably the most important. I have taken to heart the saying: it's not adding years to your life, it is adding life to your years. . .


    Still in Progress:


  • Weight Loss (lost about 100# from my high point, but behind where I want to be -- diet/food selection is still not perfect :)

  • Consistent training (too many nagging injury or health problems have kept me from my weekly training schedule

  • Paige running with me

  • Cooper running

  • Still no mantra

  • Need better motivation plan


  • Goals for next year:

  • Complete second marathon (Outerbanks, Nov 2007)

  • Complete third marathon (Grandma's 2008)

  • Complete 2 to 5 half-marathons (Fishook 8/2007, Beardsley 9/2007, Sheyenne Valley 9/2007), Winter Carnival, 1/2008, Earth Day (4/2008)

  • Weight loss below to below 180#

  • Tri??????
  • 1 comment:

    Anonymous said...

    Hey Marc...good to see you back on the blog. I wondered where you disappeared to!

    One thing that helps me a lot with motivation is regular blogging and communicating with other bloggers through comments or e-mail. The years that I didn't run after college, I had very low motivation and no one to really talk to about running (except my wife). The lack of 'team' and the social aspect really took the wind out of my sails for a while.

    I don't know if that is a source of motivation for you or not, but I thought I would pass it along.

    Don't sweat the time off after a marathon. It's really important to get the rest in following the effort, and to get your muscles repaired. The mental aspect of rest can be tough, but physically it is well worth it.

    Good luck with your goals! Take care.