So... What's Next?

I've had this as my Facebook cover photo since January, knowing full well that I have some huge goals in mind for 2016. 

Namely, this one:

2. Marathon PR
I have a number in my head. A time on the clock that I would love to see happen by the end of the year, but I'm not ready to put it out there just yet. Last year in one marathon I ran a 6-minute PR in 100-degree heat and I've already got 3 fulls on the calendar for 2016. So long as I can maintain some effort, I think my goal is realistic. 4:52 will be demolished this year - demolished!

And yes, as it stands, 4:52 has been demolished! And I say that very loud and very proudly because a 33-minute PR is pretty massive. But - and get this - that number in my head is just out of reach. Running Phoenix and then killing my training for OC and killing the race at OC is just further proof and confirmation that this goal is more than attainable and with just a little more work (and mental fight at mile 21), it too will be demolished this year. 

I'm excited to get there. But for now... what's next? What's next on the to-do list, the massive list of goals for the year, and all that I'm ready to achieve? Well, aside from wedding planning, there's a lot! But that's a whole 'nother discussion for another day. 

In terms of running, here's what's next:

• June 5: Rock 'n Roll San Diego
• June 18: Rock 'n Roll Seattle (State #10!)
• July 17: Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay

And that's it. And those are going to be fun, chill, be silly, have a good time kinda races. I was tough on myself and my body these first five months of the year and while I've racked up the mileage to show it (459 miles down, 641 to go until another milestone for the year achieved!) and now it's time to just run and have a little fun. 

What does that look like? 

• Keeping up with a regular habit of foam rolling, stretching, and Wednesday yoga. 
• Intentionally get in some strength training.
• Maintain 100-mile months but don't stress when I miss.
• Get back on the trails! I miss them! 

I'm going to run for fun for a few months, until Long Beach Marathon training kicks off in July or August. Summer is toughest for me, not only because of our Southern California heat, but also with my work schedule being a hot mess and all over the freaking place in terms of hours and regularity. Hooray orientation season! I'll be stoked if I can rack up any kind of mileage in July especially (I did a whopping 30 last July), so there's something to shoot for too! 

So that's it - run for fun, enjoy not full-on training for anything and have a great summer doing it all. Excited to knock Washington off my list and daydream about the next state to conquer too! 

How do you re-set after a huge goal or PR is achieved?

Dear Self: You Got This!

Dear Megan:

You've worked hard for this one. Probably harder than you have for the last three fulls (remember how your longest runs usually topped out at 16?).

246 miles in the last 8 weeks is pretty damn incredible and you worked hard for every. single. one. 

Even when you skipped runs or opted for an additional rest day, it was in good faith that the next run out the door would make up for it. And they usually did.

Those #tenmiletuesday weeks? Where you set new personal highs for mid-week mileage? Those are going to pay off. Because running on tired legs just shows you how far you've come when you can push through the tired wall.

Those goals are do-able.

You have goals in sight for the year. This is opportunity #2 before a long and hot summer derails things just a little bit, both for weather and for work. Use this opportunity to your advantage!

Remember that 21 mile day? It was hot, and windy, and you ran right through it. You killed it. Even more than you thought possible. What's five more?

Bib #777. If anything, that's lucky.  

This race day is mine. These last eight weeks of training, all the extra mileage unlike anything you've done before, finally pushing out of the comfortable 13-15 mile range and knocking out some amazing long runs, the 5 am wake up calls, the extra need for stretching and foam rolling and all the so-very-needed yoga sessions... this is it.

See you on the other side of 26.2!

OC Marathon Goals

Goals. Sometimes they're really hard to put out there. Sometimes you need to, just to hold yourself accountable.

The last time I wrote out race goals, I was feeling way under-prepared, nervous, and kind of just a wreck. That was before Phoenix, all of eight weeks ago. I ran Phoenix, attained my C goal of a strong race (pretty much my strongest race ever), and knew that if I stuck to a plan, I could totally rock at OC. Phoenix became a great mental test of where I stood, and of course physically, given that my longest run had been just 16 miles like seven weeks prior to Phoenix. All being said, Phoenix worked out okay. And then I had a full week of recovery - just walking, yoga - and by the end of the week, I was itching to get out and run. I think that's a good sign.

OC training was all of eight weeks. Eight weeks isn't a lot, but I wasn't starting at point zero either, considering I really count Phoenix as a long run to test my endurance and mental capabilities in handling another 26.2 so soon. Mind you, my first two fulls were TWO YEARS apart, and now here I am running two in eight weeks.

My major goals for training were:
- More longer distance runs (over 13)
- Strength/yoga
- Weight loss

Compared to my other two fulls, I nailed the longer distance runs perfectly. A 15-miler, 16-miler (where I could have kept going), 22 at Ragnar in 30 hours, and capped off two weekends ago with the biggest confidence-boosting 21-miler ever. I built more mileage in during the weeks, often having an 8- or 10-miler on Tuesdays, bookended by 5 each on Monday and Wednesday. Mid-week mileage certainly makes a difference.

21-miler day.

I didn't incorporate strength training (weights, really) in any form, like ever, but practiced yoga weekly at Fleet Feet and a few times, did at-home practice too. I'm proud that I've continued with it and really see what a difference it's making just in terms of my overall strength.

Weight loss was up and down. I don't keep a scale at home (mostly on purpose), but about halfway through training had dropped about 3 pounds. That was about 5 weeks ago, and I have no idea where I stand heading into race day, but I'm feeling better than I've felt in a while. We shall see what kind of difference that makes on Sunday!

With that... here we go! My goals for Sunday's race, marathon #4 lifetime and #2 of 2016.

Goal A: The Elusive Time Goal
Much like Phoenix, I'm leaving this goal to myself. It's a goal for the year, but I honestly feel like with the work I've put in the last eight weeks, it's just maybe attainable this weekend!

Goal B: A PR
That PR still stands from LA (4:52) and I know it's bound to be broken, because I am far better off than I was last year (not to mention those 100-degree heat indexes). I know a PR is in the bag, whether it's 20 minutes or 5 minutes. It's mine.

Goal C: Run a Smart Race
The highs are not super forgiving on Sunday (75 as of Wednesday night), but tolerable, especially given that we're on the coast for the race. I've definitely run in hotter weather, but am hoping I know how to take advantage and still run smart, all things considered.

There we go. Vague on purpose, but I'm hoping that I can at least come back with a pretty killer full marathon PR. Here we go, #4!

Have you run the OC full? Favorite parts? Worst parts?

Surf City Goals

Author note: this was all written pre-flu. I'm not changing it, but ultimately we're going to see where my body takes me on Sunday! 

Surf City is on Sunday! This has been my planned goal race since I don't know when - October, maybe? After all the pacing and running I did all fall and throughout this winter, I've been able to get myself to a point where anything 2:00-2:10 is totally comfortable and hitting the 1:56, 1:58s is enough to work but not feel like I'm dying, so I know I'm making progress with my speed. 

Surf City is pancake flat. It's on the coast, runs up PCH, into a neighborhood, back out of said neighborhood, back onto PCH for a few miles, makes a U-turn and heads straight back to the finish. The half is forgiving; the full is a mental mindtrip that I never wish to do again. In the half, there is one hill in mile 4 that you come barreling back down into mile 5 to pick that speed back up again. But this course is as flat as flat gets - thank you Southern California beach cities!  

That being said, I've set my sights on making this my new PR race. My current PR (1:50:38) stands from Fontana, a race that is downhill for the first 9 miles. But I pushed my body hard, even with that downhill, and I know I am fully capable of pushing myself on a pancake-flat course that way, too. So, here it is. Surf City goals 2016. For reference, last year I ran the half for the first time (only the full previously in 2013) with bronchitis and ran a 2:11.

A) Anything sub-1:50. 
Jacky will be pacing me on Sunday and as I've told her, my goal is anything sub-1:50. So she's been like "Sooo, 1:45, right?" to which I insist, "No, anything sub-1:50!" All kidding aside, I know she's got this for me and will pace me to my best. Thanks in advance, Jacky!

B) 1:55
My two Fontana times are 1:50 and 1:56. If I can run a 1:55 at Surf City, then I know it's fully possible to run such a stellar time. I'd love to be able to beat my first sub-2 time from Fontana in 2014.

C) Sub-2. 
Because, duh, that's always the goal, isn't it?

D) Course PR & Have Fun!
Anything sub-2:11 is a course half PR which is MORE than do-able at my current fitness. I know tons of folks that are out and about running and sometimes, it's just about the company you keep on the course. I look forward to running with IERC friends, other LA running friends and even making new ones!

Best yet, Doug is running his third Beach Cities Challenge race (OC in May, Long Beach in October) and earns this beauty on Sunday, so we'll be celebrating his running retirement (so he says) with our medals, and his badass golden sand dollar. I can't wait!

I hope nothing more than to report back on Monday with some ecstatic news - shiny new PRs and shiny new medal in hand. Wish me luck!

2016: The Year of the Marathon

I accomplished every goal I set out for in 2015. Every. Single. One. Though some were not to the degree I had hoped for (namely, that marathon PR), I can still they were achieved and can do so with a pretty big smile on my face.

Running really took a big part of my life in 2015, partially from the tail-end of unemployment and it providing me some kind of sanity through that nonsense, and then even a little bit of relief as the new job started and trying to maintain a balance in my life with a pretty demanding job over the summer. July hit some mileage lows (like 30 all month), but showed me that when I am determined to do something (like 1,000 miles), I'll do what I can to achieve it and look past the harder times.

I put numbers and specific goals into a lot of things. I believe in setting SMART goals, mostly so I can keep myself in check and also set goals that are realistic and that I won't kill myself doing. 1,000 was a stretch, but I backed off for a bit and then had to make up for it later! Numbers are hard and sometimes they leave a lot to live up to and sometimes put on that extra stress. At the same time, they hold you accountable.

That being said, my goals for 2016 are a mix of numeric and non-numeric things - some things I keep track off like a mad-woman (mileage!) and race times do other work for me, but some other things are plans and ideas that I'd like to see put into action.

1. Run 1,100 miles. 
I know, I just said 1,000 was hard. But now I really know what it entails and how to hold myself to it. Between training plans and cycles this year, I've got big plans that should be nothing but supported by these miles anyway. Watch me do work! 100 mile months almost seems the norm now, so in theory this is not that hard to attain.

2. Marathon PR
I have a number in my head. A time on the clock that I would love to see happen by the end of the year, but I'm not ready to put it out there just yet. Last year in one marathon I ran a 6-minute PR in 100-degree heat and I've already got 3 fulls on the calendar for 2016. So long as I can maintain some effort, I think my goal is realistic. 4:52 will be demolished this year - demolished!

3. Complete a triathlon.
Alright, there. It's out there. I'm not specifying a distance, as I really just want to give myself an opportunity to try something different! Honestly, I think that I could roll out of bed tomorrow and complete a sprint tri - it might not be pretty, but I have the endurance to. However, I would like to actually train and feel that I successfully completed some (undetermined distance) tri!

4. Finish off my credit card debt.
Also attainable. Knocking off about 70% of it in 2015 was huge, and though my savings took a little hit, I want to knock it all out of the park so I can continue to build up my savings again. To be honest, I have about $3,000 left to finish off and I know it's more than do-able (and should take well less than a year). I know I have some big financial goals coming up in my personal world, so my hope is that should I achieve a 0% credit card debt status, I can handle other financial responsibilities that come up. Let's see what I can do.

5. Journal
Don't get me wrong, I love my blog and I love sharing my little corner of the world with you all! BUT there is nothing like grabbing a pen and paper (or my notebook) to actually get the rest of my head out on paper. My goal is to journal at least once per week and, to make a habit of it, commit one evening each week to writing.

6. Strength Train
When I was training for my first full way back when, I was actually really good about cross and strength training. For whatever reason, I cannot for the life of me get back into a mindset of doing it. It sucks. However, with those three fulls on the calendar, I know giving my body a break from pounding pavement is going to be crucial  to not only making myself stronger, but giving myself some true recovery time. My local Fleet Feet does yoga on Wednesdays and I've already scheduled Sundays for cross training and strength days. Every little bit counts, right?

7. Volunteer More
I always say I'm going to volunteer at more races, and I would like to actually put that into use this year. Volunteering at the Disneyland Half weekend this past year was awesome, but I want to be out road-side, passing out water or medals and giving folks all that they need on race day! My goal is to volunteer at at least six races by next December!

8. Speak Up
I back down from confrontation. I hate it more than anything. I'm not a good advocate for myself. In relationships, at work, and in life, I want to work on speaking up on my own behalf, whether I'm upset or frustrated, but also wanting folks to know when I'm happy and grateful and glad they're on my side. There's work to do here, for sure, but that goes into some other work on self-esteem! For now... we leave it as 'speak up.' Be your best advocate. It goes a long way!

There it is. 2016 has a lot of good things coming already, including an awesome race schedule that I am way excited about, but other life and fun adventures to come. I can't wait.

What are your goals for 2016?

2015 in Review: Goals

HappyNew Year, friends!

January 2, 2015, I declared my goals for the year. I was, at the time, about halfway through my unemployment stint and though I was enjoying some gigs substitute teaching here and there, I really had no idea what 2015 would have in store for me. I ran a lot to escape the monotony of job applications and interviews, ran to escape the feelings of failure and self-doubt, and I worked hard at everything else to make sure that I didn't fail in other arenas of my life. 

I put these goals out there, intentionally leaving them small and focused with the purpose of keeping them realistic and attainable. I narrowed it down to five key goals for the year, rather than a bunch of minute ones that wouldn't really matter to me anyway. 

How'd I do? Here goes! 

√ 1,000 miles: 757 in 2014, 554 in 2013, 664 in 2012. And 2015 brought my highest mileage ever at exactly 1,000. I did it! With exactly one day to spare, I ran 9.4 miles on December 30 to knock it all out in one shot because I didn't want to be finishing on the last day of the year. I upped it from just 757 in 2014 (which I thought was a lot at the time), and busted out my full 1,000. Heck freaking yes.

Ya think I was excited?

√ Marathon PR: I had originally said that although I was only registered for LA at the time, that I was eye-balling a fall full, too. Well clearly I never got that far and only ran LA this year, and despite not meeting my goals for the race, I still PRed. Six minutes is six minutes, and in 100-degree heat, that is absolutely nothing to scoff at. Besides, I've got some chances coming up in 2016! More to come. :)

Marathon #2 in the bag. PR on the books.

√  New states: My goal was to cross off at least two new half marathon states (a big goal was three, but again with job hunting, I didn't even know if two was realistic!). Lucky for me, I was able to achieve both of those, largely in part to two ambassador programs I was able to be a part of! Portland, Oregon gave me state #8 for my birthday weekend with Doug, and just a few days later, I was off to New York for state #9 and some continue birthday fun with my sister! Coast-to-coast weekends, all while achieving some goals. I'm a lucky girl.

Portland in October. Oregon, check!

√ A job: Like I said, I was struggling with starting the new year, still unemployed and still wondering when my chance would come. I wanted to continue my career in higher education, in a field that I loved, but I struggled after six months of interviews with no bites. In the back of my mind, I was wondering if I was supposed to stay in the field - maybe there was something else I was supposed to consider. Honestly, after a few months in substitute teaching, I pondered the idea of going back and working on my credential and going into teaching like I'd imagined when I first started college. However, March changed all that when I got the magic phone call and on April 1, my goal was achieved. 

I am in a job that I love, at an institution I am proud to be a part of, and am looking forward to saying I've been there for a year already! Time flies when you're having fun!

√  Reduce debt by 50%: That's a big percentage for anyone, let alone a girl who was unemployed for three full months of the year, on top of the five months at the end of the year prior. Come writing this goal last year, I had had my student loans paid off for a year, so I was just working on paying off credit card debts. I know that a new car is in my future, so working to get these nagging card numbers off my monthly budget will continue to make that easier. I am really excited to say that I've narrowed down my debts by nearly 70% and blew this goal out of the water. 

For once, I've achieved every goal I've set out to achieve. Again, I think keeping them smaller and thereby more realistic, I set myself up for success with them. But I did! PR in the bag, states checked off the list, a job I love... 2015 treated me pretty well. On to new goals, a new year, and new achievements! Happy New Year!

Did you achieve your goals for 2015? What are you most proud of?

Friday Favorites #6

1. Cali Combo

Rock 'n Roll announced the re-design of the Cali Combo medal and I'm swooning over it hardcore. Check out this beauty:

You can earn this for running three of four races: San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, or Los Angeles. You might count me in for 2016...

2. 25 Days of Sparkly Soul

Um... heck yes! Sparkly Soul is bringing back their 25 days of SS love by doing a daily special all the days leading up to Christmas! This week has featured the silver headbands, neon pink and bows! I can't wait to see what else is in store and grab some stellar deals on my favorites - and for stocking stuffers!

3. Ugly Sweater Socks

ProCompression released their annual holiday sock yesterday morning and most sizes sold out in like, record time (think less than 3 hours for the S/M sizes) - holy whoa! Did you get your hands on some? I've got like four holiday races coming up and can't wait to see how many other people are rockin' 'em too! 

4. Demolishing Goals

I totally demolished my November goal of 115 miles and ran 123 instead. December's been off to a funky start, but if I run all the miles I've mapped out for December, I'll get my magic 1,000 on Christmas Day... Merry Christmas to me, right? My present to myself when I make it is a new, shiny Garmin and retiring my old girl that's well over three years old.

5. Demolishing More Goals!

Other goal I'm demolishing? Getting that credit card debt worked off. Tina would be so proud! My 2015 goal was to reduce it by half and I'm pretty sure I've reduced it by nearly 75% and am so so sooo close to being debt-free. I know a new car is in my works in the future closer than I'd like, and I'd love to be ready for it with having all my credit card debt done looming over my head.

It's a happy day, happy Friday, and happy kick-off to the holiday race season weekend with my favorite local 5K! Yipee!

What are you loving this fine Friday?

Goodbye August, Hello September!

Um, hello September? How is that even freaking possible?! I could have sworn summer just started. Maybe it's these 100-degree days that make me swear like it's still June and that our students just graduated last week. Wrong? Well, damn.

Through a text conversation yesterday with the superbly awesome Jacky (Iron[wo]man in training) and Monica (who's out for another marathon PR in Chicago), I was a little down on myself. August was not the training month I'd hoped for - July was terrible in terms of getting out there and getting my runs or anything fitness-related in, but with working 60+ hours in four days every week for five weeks, that's just bound to happen. And I need to learn that that's okay. In my head, it's not - I have goals to work for, things I want to get done and I feel behind. 

Really, for what it was, August wasn't terrible. Not awesome, but not terrible - a decent 60-mile showing for finishing up those 60+ hours weeks and getting it done mostly on Saturday mornings. In that regard, that's a win! But as Jacky said yesterday, it's a new month. New goals. It all starts now. So with that... bring it on, September. Bring. It. On.

• 110 miles: This is a stretch, andI know that, but right now it's 90% mental for me. Not hitting snooze, not convincing myself that I'll run when I get home in the evening. I wanna come back big, catch up on my 1,000-miles-this-year goal so I can earn my pin (as of August 31, I'm 424 miles short). I got this!
• Start Strength Training: Always a weakness. Always. But with a lot of halfs coming up in the fall, most of which I'm pacing, I need to make sure I'm at my best and I know a lot of that is to start working on my strength and muscle endurance. I don't have a plan, just an out-loud commitment to doing some core work, getting on some weights and getting to work.
• Cut Back on the Soda: I got through said 60+ hour weeks with a lot of Dr. Pepper. And Starbucks. I recognize it and with a new month, it's time to get back to being better - namely with the soda intake. I know I can't drop back down to zero and I'm being realistic about it, but I need to treat the Dr. P especially like a treat and not an every-day necessity. I'm jumping back onto Waterlogged to track my water intake and hold myself a little more accountable each day.
• Pay Off One Credit Card!: In line with my year goals, I'm thisclose to paying off a card this month and I want to make sure I get to it to working towards lowering the debt. It'll be a stretch this month as it'll be a slightly higher payoff than I'm used to each month, but the fact of paying off one more is a little more exciting than the stress is worth. 

I'm excited. I'm nervous. But I wanna get to work. Boom - let's go!

What are your September goals?

At the Halfway Point

Can you believe we're halfway through 2015? Though I see and write the date every day at work, it still blows me away that I'm now writing 'July ___' and summer is in full-blown effect at work. The crazy begins!

Part of my challenge is holding myself accountable throughout the year - updating at the end of the year typically just shows that I didn't accomplish all of them. My hope for the year was to be that as I do monthly recaps with mileage and races, that I also need to ensure I'm updating you  on my progress toward my yearly goals. I've slacked a little on this monthly recaps, but now that I'm back in action, I feel like I can get back on the swing of things!

With that... let's check in to how 2015 is faring for me as far as my goals for the year:

Fontana Days. 

- 1,000 miles: As of yesterday (because I haven't run yet today), I've got 501 running miles down on the year. So I am just over the halfway mark, just past the halfway mark of the year! I know I've got this in the bag, so long as I stick with the focus and progress I've made. I have a bunch of halfs lined up for the fall that will certainly aid me in getting there. Goal: in progress / halfway there!

- Marathon PR: When we celebrated the new year, I had only one marathon on my calendar, but was pondering another one for late fall or early winter. LA Marathon was tough, no lie, but I did technically achieve this goal with a new marathon PR of 4:52:52. If I can use the fall line up to keep myself in check and in shape, I think I can put together a marathon training plan to work to another PR later this year. But for all intents and purposes...  Goal: Achieved! √

- New states:  I want to cross off at least two new half marathon states and would love to cross off at least three new states to visit! Coming up in the fall, I've got two new states on my travel list (!!): Portland, Oregon on October 4 (more on that soon!) and Brooklyn, New York on October 10 (join me? Use code RUNMEGANRUN for $15 off registration). It'll be a fun week. :) I don't think I'll be getting to any new states to just visit, but I'm excited that I've got new half marathon states coming up! Goal: halfway there!

- A job: HOLLA. Done and done! I promise, I owe y'all a lonooong over-due post all about the job. Unbelievably, I'm three months in already and LOVING it. The next six weeks are going to be insane and I'm beyond excited. More to come soon, I swear.  Goal: Achieved! √

CSUSB lovin'. 

- Reduce debt by 50%: That's a big percentage. Truth be told, I did a poor job of setting myself up to track this accurately from where I started at the beginning of the year! However, I have a small credit card paid off and have made great progress towards knocking things out. Is it anywhere near 50%? No, but I'm okay with where I am at! Goal: in progress.

I'm really happy with the progress I've made so far this year. I'm looking forward, above all else, to tackle my 1,000 mile goal and make that a reality. I'm definitely looking forward to my two race-cations, one that will involve visiting my sister again (I haven't been to New York to see her in nearly four years) and the likelihood of a birthday trip to Oregon with Doug for my 30th and another race. How lucky can one girl get in a year? We shall find out!

How are your 2015 goals coming along? 

LA Marathon | Goals

This is it, kids. It's marathon weekend. I've been training for this race since October, registered since November, and all of a sudden, it's here. While my nerves are nowhere near what they were for the first 26.2 mile adventure two years ago, it's still a sense of nervousness.

I'm stronger, smarter, and even a little faster than I was two years ago. I've trained smart (most of the time), have listened to my body on days I could push it and days I couldn't. I've PRed my 5K and 10K during training, a time where it isn't about speed but endurance. And I could have kept going.

So here's where nearly 500 miles of training over the last 500 months come to play: the stadium to the sea.

All weekend, they've been blasting the 10-day forecast everywhere and are expecting near-record, if not record, highs for the weekend. Awesome. Considering the corrals don't start until 7:25 am, that's already a late start if it's going to be that hot. While I'm bearing that in mind, I'm sticking with my original goals for the race. Ready? Here goes.

Goal A: 4:20
My one and only marathon time is currently a 4:58. I was undertrained, not smart, and though I made my goals, I knew I could have done better. In hindsight, I'm not sure I could have... but now? I'm ready. 4:20 is a 38-minute PR (HUGE), and still only a 9:54 mile. I know I am fully capable of maintaining such an average over 26.2 miles.

Goal B: 4:30
But should the heat get to me, there's always a Plan B, right? A 10:17 average mile would get me to a 4:30 finish time, which is still a super-stellar 28-minute PR. Seriously? Also totally acceptable in my head.

Goal C: Just Get Me a PR
And, well, because we always know that race day can throw whatever it wants your way, I'd just be happy with knowing I did better than the first time around. While I know that I'm smarter, stronger, better than two years ago, you really don't ever know what race day will throw at you, and sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches and play the cards you're dealt. If worse comes to worse, a PR is good enough for me!

It's scary putting these out there. It's scary knowing that it's already here, when I thought 5 months would drag on. This has been such a great focus for me, especially as I've ridden the ups and downs of job searching, which has been a marathon all its own. And it's all coming to an end... or at least in 2 days, 26.2 miles. Eep!

Meanwhile, I'll be working the expo on Friday evening and Saturday morning for Sparkly Soul
, so come say hi and get your sparkly goodness! Otherwise, see you on the course, or at an aid tent or the finish line!

You can also track me here - I'm bib #E9137. You can track online, and if we're Facebook friends, my feed will update for me. You can also follow me on Twitter, where my splits and updates will be. Send me some love - while I won't be reading 'em, I know they'll be coming! 

Are you running LA? Spectating? Watching from the comfort of your couch, thanks to it being televised in LA?

This is My Year

In 2014, I didn't even publicly set any goals. After 2013 didn't turn out to be the year I wanted in
terms of running and fitness, and that blogging had taken a total backseat to life this time last year, I kept any idea of goals to myself. In the end, I never really set any, either - not even in my own head.

Part of my challenge is holding myself accountable - updating at the end of the year typically just shows that I didn't accomplish all of them. My hope for this year is that as I do monthly recaps with mileage and races, that I also need to ensure I'm updating you  on my progress toward my yearly goals - so that way, I'm regularly checking in on what I've set out to do.

So with that, I give you, my 2015 goals. I am keeping them small, and focused, in an effort to also keep them realistic and all attainable, rather than just focusing on two of like, fifteen, as I usually do.

- 1,000 miles: 757 in 2014, 554 in 2013, 664 in 2012. Less than consistent, but that's okay. 2014 became one of my best years in terms of running and consistency, and I'm excited to continue that trend into the new year.

- Marathon PR: So far, I'm only registered for the LA Marathon, but would like to consider a fall marathon to add to my schedule, too. With that, and much credit to the running club, I know I'm already stronger than I was for marathon #1 back in 2013. I'm not going to put numbers down yet, as the race is still ten weeks away, so that'll come later!

- New states: This is two-fold: I want to cross off at least two new half marathon states (more on how I'm making this possible soon!), and would love to cross off at least three new states to visit! My long-time goal has been to get to every state by the end of 30, but I've got some work to do!

- A job: This is a given, if you've paid attention at all. But I mean for it to be not just a job because I need one and a paycheck, but something I am excited and passionate about, and that will be a career. So far, much of my professional career has been jobs, nothing I could settle into for a long haul. I'm ready to find that, but just need the patience to do so.

- Reduce debt by 50%: That's a big percentage. And while I'm obviously going to disclose all these numbers to you, I also believe that my 50% is fully attainable. This time last year, I had just paid off my student loans, so all I have riding on me now are credit cards. This year hasn't made that easy, but with achieving goal #3 up there, I know I can get my act back in gear and continue to work towards this. Thankfully, my credit score is still quite high and respectable - I just want to decrease that dollar amount attached to it!

What are your goals for the new year? Ready to share?

Race Day Is Here!

 First, a super huge big birthday to my sister! She's 26 - gettin' old sis!

(I'm the older one, it's okay to say that)

And secondly... ZOMG you guys. Race day. It's here. 

I mean, tomorrow. But still.

I've done the work - it's been a short time span, but I've done it. I've nailed nearly every run I set for myself in the last 6 weeks, and minus the one week I sat out thanks to my knee, I feel good.

If anything, the last 6 weeks have taught me that when I see a goal ahead, I do what it takes to get it done. I've fought the last nine months with apathy, some laziness, a whole lot of excuses, and almost zero motivation. And all of a sudden, after Ragnar, and after Redlands, I found it. Maybe because I finally saw this as a real opportunity to make it happen. I CAN make it happen.

I feel ready.

I feel able.

I'm ready to crush it.

I know I've got this.

Sub-2, I'm coming for you.

Fontana, you will be mine!

I'm hoping Monday's post will be the good news that I did just that. ^^

On NRD, I also set out for a super awesome social run with iRunMB and met a whole bunch of the #sa2lv crazies, like these folks:

Nancy, Jessica, Bill, me, and Michael.

AND, lucky for me, after talking about PRs and my whopping goal for Fontana, Michael volunteered to pace me. He's crazy enough to suggest I run 8:45s the first half and 8:30s the second half, and I'll hit well below that 2-hour mark. I laughed. I'm not so sure about that, dude... but I'm still stoked about whatever he has me do because the first time ever, I've got a pacer. That's gotta count for something... 

Race goals? Just to put it out there.

Run smart. I haven't done that in awhile.

A) Sub-2. I don't care if it's 1:59:59. Just sub-2.

B) 2:01-2:03. That'll tell me that I'm not as far off as I think I am, and that I've got it coming. With my current PR at 2:01 on a flat course, if I can pull off 2:01 on a downhill, I've got work to do, but I've got it coming.

 

So here it is. 24 hours out and #sub2orbust comes to the fore-front again. Let's go, Fontana. Let's go.

What mantra gets you through a tough race or when you have a big goal ahead? 

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?