Goals Aren't Always Meant to be Achieved

I don't mean that to send super Debbie-Downer, but I think it's true. Goals hold you accountable. They hold you to achieve the things you want to achieve, and when you don't get there, they keep you humble. They keep you focused, maybe more motivated, maybe less.

I set out with some pretty high goals for 2013, based off the high I'd come off of 2012 with. Looking back, some were totally realistic, without knowing the year I'd have ahead. Let'z check out what I got to do.

Health | Fitness

- 1,000 miles:  While this would have been awesome, I'm not sure I knew what I was getting into! Jumping from 664 (2012) to 1,000 is hefty as it is. And this year, having done just 573, I was far off the mark. If I had kept on my track past June, where it all fell down, I could have come close. Is 2014 my year? Maybe! 

- Sub-2 hour half marathon: Big, fat, negative. 

- Sub-26 5K: So. Close. Now standing at 26:12. I've got this. Coming to you in 2014!

- Sub 1-hour 10K: Done and done! Marigold 10K in Winterville, Georgia in May. 

- Finish that marathon standing upright:  I'm a marathoner! Surf City marathon, completed both standing upright and under my time goal with 1:18 to spare! 

- 13 in 2013: 18 races completed in 2013. One marathon, 4 half marathons, one 15K, 4 10Ks, and 8 5Ks is a hefty enough year as it is, on top of everything else I've worked through and done. I'd call that a good year, all in all! 

- VOLUNTEER with at least 2 races: I volunteered at one race this year, but never fell in line with #2. I wish I had. I was signed up to hand out medals (!) at the Long Beach Half in October, but with some family business that arose that morning, it just wasn't in the cards. Next year, I'd like to be able to give back more. 

Personal

- Student loan paid off: I am so so so excited to say this is DONE! Five years early and just in time for the December 1 deadline I had set last January. While it wasn't paid in the way I thought, I am so grateful for the support my parents gave and  helped me make this happen. So, so, so thankful. 

- Increase savings: I said in January "I have a number I'd like to achieve this year."I don't know what the number was, but I've got more in savings than I've had in the last three years. So regardless, I call this a success. Done and done.

- Make time for those I love: I feel that I can cheat on this one a little, as being in the same area as my parents, Doug, grandparents, aunt, uncles again makes this easy. However, I do need to continue balancing this and finding time for everyone who deserves it. I am grateful I'm close enough to do this, but know there's more work to do! 

- Journal: I wasn't great about this, but wrote about once a month. I'm already committing to write more regularly in 2014 and hope to get better and better about writing just for me. 

All in all, a decent 2013. An exhausting year, on all accounts, but I'm okay with what I did do and what else I can continue working on. Bring on 2014, bring it on!

What major goals did you have for 2013? Did you achieve them?