Looking back at goals for 2006 - trying to stay positive for 2007
I've decided since it's questionable that I'll be getting any further on my goals for 2006, that perhaps I should look back to see how I ended up in meeting them. I was originally putting this information together thinking I'd put together my goals for 2007, until I get my back healed, my only goal for 2007 will be to get back on the bike PERIOD!
A look back at my goals for 2006:
1. Continue to lose the remaining 70 pounds to get to my goal weight
Well..... still working on that one, it's been a hard year to lose, but for the most part at least I was maintaining, before the back injury.
2. Ride at least 4,860 miles, more likely 5,000 to complete my online Virtual Trans-Canadian Highway ride at BikeJournal.com
At 4,810.14 TOTAL MILES I'd say I was SO close to that first part and it looked as though I was going to finish my goal of 5,000 miles early. I actually FINISHED my VCAN on Bikejournal.com on 8 November, 2006 with 4,704 miles. Unless I am able to get back on the bike soon, and it's looking doubtful with this back injury, it looks like I'm going to have to settle with the 4,810 miles. This includes 3,528 OUTDOOR miles on my Navigator 50. To get so close to my goal is disappointing, but all I can do is hope for the best to get back on the bike sometime next year.
3. Ride at least 12 metric centuries Get my first Imperial century as close to the beginning of the year as possible
I have a TOTAL of 23 Metric and Imperial Centuries for the year to date. That includes 7 full Imperial Centuries (First was done 6 May, 2006 and longest at 118 miles was done 9 Sept, 2006) I was hoping to get at least one more metric before the end of the year, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen now.
4. Ride the Metric or Century at The Indianapolis Zoo Wild Ride
I rode the Century route self supported and got 118 miles that day after riding to and from the ride as well.
5. FINISH the ENTIRE Hilly Hundred route and walk fewer hills
I rode both days of the Hilly Hundred after volunteering Friday night. I was able to get 30 miles the first day (walked more than I'd wanted to with a heel spur) and 25 the second (did the 40 mile route and only walked part of 2 hills) All in all, considering my foot injury at the time, I was pleased with my performance. I was much stronger than I was the first time I did the Hilly Hundred and rode solo this year. With the foot injury and SAG closing, I thought it was the wiser decision to SAG in then to get myself stranded out on the course either day.
6. Meet or BEAT Marlin's mileage - Be prepared to hear ON YER LEFT Marlin!!
Until my recent back injury, I had kept a lead of TOTAL miles so far for the entire year on
this goal. Most recently I had 579 Total miles including indoor (Marlin counts his too) and 88 OUTDOOR miles ahead of Marlin!! Since my injury, he has closed the lead down to 343.3 Total miles and he has passed me again in Outdoor miles by 71.1 miles.
I don't know how we'll end up finishing this challenge if I'm not able to be on the bike. The original challenge I'd posed was for TOTAL mileage until 31 December. I've not been able to be on the bike since 23 November so I'm not really sure how to handle the challenge. It's kind of hard to compete with someone when you're confined to bed for the most part. Oh well.
All in all I met and exceeded any expectation I had for riding my bike for 2006. At the end of 2005, I had only been riding since 17 July, 2005 and ended the year with 2,515.37 miles I have nearly doubled that this year. I want to stay positive and look forward to 2007, but for now, I'll just be glad to get my back healed and hopefully won't have to start all over again building strength.
I can hardly believe that I have 7,321 miles TOTAL miles since 17 July, 2005. That includes 5,465.46 OUTDOOR miles on the Navigator alone. I just hope I get the opportunity to push that envelope even further next year.
