No resolutions for me

Happy New Year! But don’t expect any resolutions from me.

I’m not anti-resolution. I love hearing about other people’s goals for the year — it’s very inspiring. I just know that resolutions don’t work for me.

I used to carefully think out my resolutions and write them in notebook. A few weeks later (at the most), all of my resolutions ended in bitter disappointment. They probably tended to be a little too unrealistic and maybe a little too big. (I guess “Marry Reggie Bush” was too ambitious. Hmph.) I just know that instead of feeling new and inspired, I felt like a total failure. 

See why becoming Mrs. Bush was a previous (failed)
resolution? Source

 

To avoid that feeling, I quit.

I could make someone rich.

So, instead let’s look at what I have planned for the first half of 2013.

Jan. 12: Pet Pal Spin. It’s my first spin class ever, and it’s for a great cause. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, come check it out (because it’s an awesome cause and we’ll have an awesome teacher (a running group friend) — not because you want to see me make a fool out of myself on a bike … well, if me making a fool out of myself will make you attend, I’m OK with it).

I'm attempting the 9 a.m. class.

Jan. 20: Clearwater Halfathon. It’s my first half marathon of the year, and I don’t feel prepared whatsoever. A few days off of running due to work madness and the holidays, and I assume that I’ve lost all running abilities.

Feb. 2: Best Damn Race 10K. It’s my second 10K after I said I’d probably never run another one. Yeah, that ended in failure, too. But, it’s a good thing.

Feb. 10: Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Petersburg. Yay! It’s my favorite half marathon! I loved this race last year, and I can’t wait to rock it again.

March 17: Florida Beach Halfathon. It’s my second half marathon on this course. I ran this route for the Halloween Halfathon, and I found it boring (and windy). But, it’s flat, I guess?

April 14: Iron Girl Half Marathon. It’s my first half marathon this late in the year. I’m nervous about the potential heat (and tall, scary bridges), but I’m running with running group friends, and that always makes everything better.

Do you make resolutions? Why or why not? What are your plans for the year? Have you ever done a spin class? Any tips for me?

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).