It’s a new year and a time when most people are making resolutions and setting goals for the year. For me, I set goals throughout the whole year, modifying as I go. I don’t want to call my upcoming goals a “New Years Resolution” because I feel like that implies I’ve been “bad” all 2018 and now I’m going to be “good”. Whether you make resolutions or not, goals are always a good and making a plan helps you achieve them.

It just so happens that January is the perfect time, to take a moment and look ahead at the coming year. We made it through all the holidays and now it’s time to get back on track and a make plan for the months ahead. Whether it be a vacation, a change in fitness, better nutrition, higher education, whatever you want for this new year. I tend to do better when I have a plan. It doesn’t need to be written in stone but it at least needs to be scribbled out on my calendar. 

My plan for 2019 

• Run one race every month. I want to focus on short, fast runs this year since last year it was all about marathon training and next year will be about Boston. I currently have races penciled in up until June. 
• Hit the trails more.  I need to be hiking or trail running. I miss it and I enjoy it so much. Why am I not out on the trails? The winter and spring months are the best time for hiking in Southern California. Time to get hiking! I am registered for the Rock it Racing trail 10k on February 9th.

For some safety tips on trail running read this post.

• Do more yoga! This is always on back burner for me. Running comes first, then riding, Pilates, (napping if we’re being real) and yoga comes in last. I feel like I just don’t have the time for it, when in fact I could cut out 30 mins of scrolling through Facebook &/or Instagram and do a little yoga. My low back and hip flexors will thank me. I’m going to try out these poses for runners if anyone else is looking to add some yoga to their life.

• Join a running club (and actually run with them). I know running clubs are a great way to connect with other runners, improve pace and make long runs bearable, but I’ve run solo for so long I hesitate to join a group. I worry about feeling pressured to run faster than I am comfortable with, but maybe that’s the point… to get out of my comfort zone. I’m hoping I will find that one person that is at my pace and wants to run with me. My best friend and running buddy moved away 30 years ago and I never found a “replacement”. 🙁  I have already adjusted my work schedule to accommodate Wednesday night runs, so no more excuses. If anyone in the area wants to join me I’ll be running with AREC (A Running Experience Club) out of Long Beach. 

So there you have it, my plan for the beginning of 2019. I hope you all are setting your own goals and making a plan.

What’s your plan for the new year? Do you have new goals or working on some existing ones? Do you run with a running club?

Thanks for reading.

Keep running!

                 Denise