Resolution in Training

One of my favorite titles every year is that of Race Director. I am privileged to wear that hat twice a year coordinating two 5K events and one 10K. I've never considered myself a "runner" but I have run, slowly, since grade school.

New Year's Eve 2008 I decided to participate in the New Year's Resolution Run as I was wanted to go to every possible running event to learn how I could make my events better for those who participated. That was one of the hardest 4 miles I have ever run, but somehow, somewhere I decided that 2009 was the year I would accomplish a long standing and long shot goal of finishing a marathon. This was not a goal that I ever considered obtainable, especially when I could not run 4 miles without sneaking in a walk here and there. But last January I made that decision and I spent the next seven months in training. I even started to believe that I could do anything that required endurance. I was after all training for a marathon...

In July 2009, I finished the San Francisco Marathon, beating my time goal, enjoying negative splits, smiling, singing the entire time (sorry if you were within ear shot of me) and without walking (a feat I still have a hard time believing).

After the marathon, life and work became very busy and I have hardly run since. Last week I decided to again participate in the New Year's Resolution Run. It was another difficult 4 miles, but I am excited to get back on that track. It seems the perfect way to kick off a new year. A new year full of new hopes.

While 2009 was a turbulent year, it was an amazing year of growth for me and accomplishments reached. I've set another round of seemingly impossible goals for 2010 and hope that next January, I can reflect and write about having achieved those as well.

Until then, I will continue to participate in as many events as possible as that is the only way that I have found I can make my life and work become best practices. I continue to learn and am encouraged from those around me.

Happy New Year. Mall all of your goals be lofty.