Running & Walking: 2007 milestones, 2008 goals

[yellow]

What were your 2007 running and walking highlights?

What are your 2008 running and walking goals?

[KnottedYet]

I'd really like to run a 5k. Run the whole thing. Somehow I have to convince my knee that this is a good idea!

[alpinerabbit]

The highlight would be joining the Tri Club and running with them more or less consistently, getting out of my comfort zone and seeing the improvement it has brought (however minor). And running more consistently by myself.
I believe I even saw some leg definition a while ago. Now it may have vanished due to a training break and christmas (I stuffed myself).

The low is probably the shin splints. Are the inlays doing their trick? Will find out after the break.

The primary 2008 goal: Half marathon in March. And perhaps another one in September.

[froglegs]

My 2007 highlight was, um, starting to run again after months of slothfulness. And sticking with it for longer than ever before, as well as increasing to distances I previously did not think I was capable of.

My first 2008 goal is to do well in the half-marathon I am running on 1/20. I haven't decided what "do well" means yet. Other goals are to continue running regularly, and to compete in triathlons, lots and lots of triathlons.

[kelownagirl]

2007 Highlights:

• I started running last January after spending years thinking I could not run.
• June 2007 - ran my first 5km race in 26:17. Came in 5th in my age group and 23rd overall. Had no aspirations to do anything more than 'finish' so I was ecstatic at my time.

Lowlights:

• Hip pain, shin pain, which stopped my running in the summer. Tried restarting several times but pain returned. I get my orthotics in January so hope the issue will be resolved.

2008 Goals:

• Return to running asap. Start slowly, build slowly. Work my way back up to 5km, then 10 km, and hopefully do half marathon in October.

• Duathlon in May.
• 5km race in June.
• Start swimming in January and do a triathlon in August.
• Okanagan half marathon (or 10km) in October.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My 2008 fitness walking goal is to walk at least two brisk 4 mile walks a week, in addition to whatever biking I do. It keeps my hip joints flexible and pain free, for one thing...something that biking doesn't do.

[Jo-n-NY]

We ordered a treadmill which I will alternate with my bike trainer. This will be a first since an began cycling consistantly 5 years ago. I am excited to have some variation.

I NEVER ran in my life except for what we had to do in gym which is more years ago than I care to figure. I expect to begin walking and "may" incorporate a bit if a jog. I am just so afraid of creating some pain somewhere if I begin to jog as with cycling I have none. So time will tell. I might just incorporate a fast walk with my indoor cycling.

~ JoAnn

[yellow]

<<<>>>

Lowlights???? We will NOT focus on the negative here! No more "lowlights"!!!

Now, back to the conversation...



<<<>>>

[KSH]

2007 Highlights...

Let's see. I RAN. Didn't run in 2006 due to injuries. In 2006 I ran 85 miles ALL YEAR. In 2007 I ran 540 miles!

I even ran 2 half marathons training for my Half Ironman. Unfortuantely, my IT band flared up a month out from my race, so I didn't get to run in my Half Ironman.


2008...

This is the year of the IRONMAN for me.

I have to get to a point where I can walk/run 26 miles after riding 112 miles on my bike. I'm not sure how I'll do that... without injury (since it didn't really pan out for my half)... but I guess I'll find a way. That or I'll just walk really fast. HA!

[kelownagirl]

<<<>>>

Lowlights???? We will NOT focus on the negative here! No more "lowlights"!!!

Now, back to the conversation...



<<<>>>

LOL, sorry. The were 'relative' lowlights to be sure. More like minor frustations.

[ummbnb]

Running for me is just about feeling good after a run. I think my days of fun runs and races are nearly over because I just don't get excited about participating anymore.

That said....

I just signed up to join a team at work to do a local Lung Association run up the steps of the tallest building in Denver, Republic Plaza. It's 55 floors iirc. Stair training starts tonight after work. The run is Feb. 24. We'll see how this goes My knees hurt just thinking about it!

[OakLeaf]

2007: did the Chi Running workshop. I don't want to say it changed my life, but.. it changed my running life.

2008: signed up to run my first timed 5K the end of January (I did a totally untimed duathlon type thing last August, but this is real). I don't expect to be competitive and I know better than to try - I just want the T-shirt

Later in the year: continue running at least 1-2 days a week, continue feeling more comfortable on my feet.

[anakiwa]

2007: Two slowest marathons ever (but did manage 2 marathons in 4 weeks and survived and finished Chicago).

2008 Goal: Run to enjoy myself and not focus on racing (I decided this at roughly mile 22 of marathon #2)

[yellow]

It's nice to read everyone's highlights and goals. It's very inspiring.

KNOTTED: http://www.pctrailruns.com/Forest_Park.htm. It's not 5k, but note that hikers are welcome. You could run part of it. Soft. Pretty. And the PCTR folks put on an awesome event.

For me, 2007 taught me that running wasn't what I thought it was. My historic running life (pre-2003, which is when I pretty much quit before I started again in 2006) was on pavement only. Over the year I made the full transition to dirt (and snow) and have been amazed at how it's changed my body, my balance, and my attitude about running. I think I'm stronger and leaner now than I have EVER been in my life.

I'm not sure what my goals for 2008 are. There is a trail run near my folks' place in Cali that I would like to do in March so I can visit them and also do another wonderful PCTR event. That will keep me running through the winter as well. I'd also like to do a couple more 50k runs in the summer/fall. One might be the Speedgoat 50k in the mountains here. I think that will be a really tough one ("Race starts and ends at 8,100 feet above sea level and peaks at 11,000 feet" ). I need to think pretty hard about that one.

I'm really grateful that I have such beautiful places to run and that my body seems happy with my new approach.

Here's hoping everyone has nothing but happy miles in 2008, no matter where you run or walk!

P.S. I forgot to add that I am also planning to do an Avon 2 day walk in Colorado with a friend in June. It's her motivation to get back in shape. So I'll be walking a lot with her this winter/spring as well.

[teigyr]

Knot, St. Paddy's Day Dash! I'm doing it. It's about 4 miles or so. I noticed on these "fun runs", I feel downright fast and I'm not.

Let's see. I started running to finish sprint tri's without agony. I learned (after years of thinking I didn't due to previous competitive running drama) that I like it if it's on my terms. I don't know how many miles I ran last year but I was averaging around 10-12 miles a week as of last spring.

I got orthotics, got them adjusted, and each time I'd have to almost start over just due to new muscles being sore. I did a 5K in December and have no idea how I placed because it was huge! I finished in under 30 minutes which was good because the start was so lumbering slow I could barely run at all.

I signed up for a half marathon in May. I am worried but I think I'll be ok.

As of 1/1, I will start logging my training. That is my New Years resolution. DH is convinced a marathon is in my future. I'm not sure about that but he knows me well. I do get bored once I do something and it's no big deal. I always go for the larger challenges so I guess you never know.