2015 Goals

Happy New Years, everyone! At the start of each new year, I like to sit down and write out my goals to help plan out the next year. I’m always a planner and a goal setter. 2014’s goals included planning our wedding within our budget, writing and defending my master’s thesis, graduating from master’s program, running a half marathon, and finding a job. With the exception of the last one, I successfully achieved my 2014 goals (still searching for a job!). 

This year, in 2015, I want to be more specific in my goals. As I’ve talked about before, making specific and measurable goals is one of the steps to success. This year, I have both large goals and small goals that span many aspects of life. So here are my 2015 goals for running, health, blogging, and cooking!

1. Run a sub-1:40 half marathon.
I ran a 1:46:06 and could have ran a 1:44 or 1:45 if not for awful winds in the last half of the race. Now that I’ve ran a half and know what works for me in training, I’m ready to chase a bigger time goal. I’m not sure what spring half I’m going to run since we are looking to move, so I’m going to aim for as close to 1:40 as possible and then train for a sub-1:40 in the fall when I can have more specific training. 

2. Create a better diversity of recipes for the blog.
Recently I’ve done a lot great baked goods and dessert recipes for the blog, but I haven’t had much lately in terms of breakfast or dinner. I want to develop and share some delicious and healthy meals, especially dinner recipes, throughout 2015. My goal? One meal recipe per week, and a baked good or dessert as an additional recipe. 

3. Do 5-10 minutes of Pilates or yoga after each run.
I’m a huge fan of yoga for its flexibility and mobility benefits, and I love Pilates because of how it builds core strength and improves my running form. I used to teach a Pilates-yoga fusion class at the fitness center at my undergrad, and I’ve been practicing both on and off ever since then. A few minutes of Pilates for core strength or yoga for mobility after each run will reap lots of gains in strength for just a little time each day.

4. Walk Charlie more during the winter months.
Last winter, when we were buried in snow thanks to the polar vortex, Charlie did not get out on many walks or runs. This year, I want to be better about taking Charlie for at least one 15-minute walk or a one mile run each day (unless weather is severely adverse). Ryan got me YakTrax for Christmas, which I know will help me take Charlie for walks when the sidewalks are covered in snow.

 5. Run with Ryan more.
Ryan started running again this year. We really enjoy running together, so I want to make sure we run together at least once a week, if not two or three times. Plus, we both got a bunch of awesome winter running wear for Christmas, so we have no excuse to not run together even in winter weather. 

Question of the Day:
What are your 2015 goals?