2006 New Year’s resolutions and goals – how did I do?
Before I post my 2007 New Year’s resolution and goals I thought that I should review last year’s.
Resolutions:
- Keep, organize and file all credit card bills for non-consumable purchases [Check. I now keep my reciepts and file them away on a monthly basis]
- Learn how to pack light while travelling [I managed to only bring carry-on on several trips but I have to try really hard no to over pack every time I go anywhere]
- Do better at maintaining my long-distance friendships [I'm doing OK although I suppose I could pick up the phone and call people more often]
- Live by the motto: “Be Kind” [I think about this on a regular basis and try to have my actions reflect it but I'm sure there's room for improvement]
Goals:
- PhD requirements:
- Finish electives (two more needed, one already in progress) [Done and done]
- Complete Biology Project (summer?) [Nope. Goes on the list for 2007]
- Find a dissertation topic and start my “original research” [I have a topic and I'm working even if progress is slow]
- Athletic:
- Finish the Vancouver Half-marathon on May 7 (no time goal) [Done!]
- Run a 5km race in less than 27 minutes [I blew this one away by hitting 23:56]
- Other:
- Bake the perfect date square (this quest started last summer) [Still working at it ...]
- Make every entree in the New Moosewood cookbook [Still working at it ...]
2006: Running year in review
My memorable moments of 2006 included a few running moments (completing the Vancouver and Seattle half marathons) but I felt that since running was such a big part of my life in 2006 it deserved its own summary post. Plus it was an excuse to make some graphs …
The above graph shows my total running mileage for 2006. I ran a total of 752 miles / 1210 km over the year. My average weekly mileage (including races) was 14.5 miles / 23.3 km and the average for all non-zero weeks was 17.3 miles / 27.9 km. My maximum weekly mileage was 26 in the two weeks prior to the Seattle half marathon. I think it’s interesting that the weekly mileage graph very clearly shows the year’s three training cycles: Vancouver, Torchlight and Seattle.
I ran a total of 6 races in 2006: 2 5K’s, 1 8K, 1 10K and 2 half marathons. Amazingly, every race was a new PB. That’s part of the fun of being new to this sport – improvement comes more easily in the beginning. Below are my “age graded”/WAVA percentage race results. According to this metric my 23:56 in the Shoreline 5K last August was my best result of the year. I have to say that I’m more proud of my 1:59:56 in the Seattle half marathon though.
Racing aside, I learned a lot about running during 2006 and what sort of training works for me. I’m happiest running 3-4 days a week and cross training another 1-2 days. I’ve learned that while I might take a women’s size 9.5 in casual shoes I need a men’s size 9.5 in running shoes to keep me from getting a blister on the end of my left second toe. I’ve also learned that running in the morning works best for me and that oatmeal is the perfect pre-run food.
I was mostly injury free during 2006 although at the end of year I developed a set of tight hip flexors and a tight left piriformis muscle. Yes, apparently I hold my tension in my butt! So my sports medicine doctor perscribed a set of relaxation exercises and I’m much improved. This is something I’m going to have to keep working at during 2007: the year of the marathon.
Delightfully slow morning
I am having a delightfully slow morning. It’s Thursday but I seem to be pretending that it’s Sunday.
My original plan for this morning was to wake-up, go for a run once there was enough light out and then head into school. Well I woke up at 6am (earlier than intended – my body is still sort of on East Coast time) and lay in bed listening to NPR for about half an hour. We got a dump of snow last night. By “dump” I mean an inch or two. The University is open but all the public schools are closed. So I cancelled my early morning run for fear of ice and crazy drivers and spent a good hour or so eating oatmeal, drinking coffee, answering emails and updating my budget. Lovely.
I’ve decided to move my work-out to the noon hour either outside or at the gym and work from home this morning. I feel as thought I’m doing a service to hummanity by not trying to get on a bus in Seattle today during the morning rush hour. See when it snows the buses get off schedule and there are extra passengers (who I assume would normally drive) so generally it’s a mess. I’m staying out of it.
I think my lazy morning is coming to an end though and I should probably actually get to work soon. Before that I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! Yea, I know I’m over a week late but I just got back to Seattle on Monday so I’m still playing catch-up. I had a lovely Christmas vacation though. I did my usual tour of Ontario with stops in Ottawa, Toronto and London and then spent at week in the Caribbean with my family. It doesn’t get much better than that.
