The long-delayed resolution post

Resolutions, ugh.

I used to always make resolutions. I like the idea of bettering yourself and setting lofty goals. Sounds great, right? It isn’t so great when your resolutions end in bitter disappointment and failure, which is where my resolutions usually end.

I made it a resolution for three years to start running and finish a 5K. Three years! And, I didn’t complete this goal until it wasn’t a resolution. This is the same year I trained for and completed a half marathon. It just happened naturally.

So, I made a resolution to not make resolutions.

It’s not that I don’t need to better myself. It’s not that I don’t need goals. Because, believe me, I do. I just don’t think I need them in New Year’s resolution form. Or maybe not such strict form. For example, I can remember in past years, writing this resolution: “I will go to bed before 11 p.m. every weeknight.” Sounds fabulous. But, it’s just not realistic. Sometimes work, friends, life gets in the way – as is the case with everything. But, I used to see myself as a failure when in the second week of January, I went to bed at midnight. Man, I blew it again.

So, maybe my resolution is to not make such strict resolutions (See? I already broke my first resolution of not making resolutions).

Or maybe I don’t call them resolutions? I can call them: things that would be nice to do in the new year (or something like that … it still needs work, obviously).

So, whatever they are, here are some ways I hope to better myself (in the health and running arenas) in 2012:

• Get more sleep. (Hopefully, worded this way, I’ll see it as more of a mantra, a way to live. Not some dreaded resolution with an absolute bedtime.)
• Work to be a better, faster, stronger runner. (Again, no time goals or specific races. Just a general goal.)
• Get more consistent with strength training. (No number of days per week or minutes per day.)

They seem simple, non-stressful and not too extreme … I hope. And, in looking at them, they probably are resolutions (as much as I don’t want them to be). But, hopefully, more attainable (and less bitter disappointment and failure follow).