I’m very thankful for my ability to run; I try to never take it for granted. I enjoy setting goals for myself and feel better when I have something ahead of me that I’m striving for. I’m not sure if that’s always a good thing but I guess as long as you don’t let it ‘become your god’ or your only focus, it’s OK. Most of my goals are geared towards running, however I have had other goals related to education and parenting, etc.
I was bummed I didn’t reach my goal of a second marathon for the year but I felt better knowing that 1. I had completed the training for it, even if I was crazy running 20 miles for no reason, and 2. I was still striving to reach my milage goal for the year. Last year I had set a goal to run 1000 miles in a year, for the first time. It came down to a very snowy day in late December but I was able to reach the mark. I felt I had to improve upon that number and was going to strive for 100 miles a month or 1200 miles for this year.
I honestly only set these goals for myself; not having a care in the world what anyone else thinks of them. I was thrilled with the 1000 last year but honestly didn’t feel like it was a big deal… people do it all the time, including my running partner who had well over that last year. It wasn’t a huge deal but I was thankful to have met my goal.
I am thankful to have met the goal I set before myself again this year. I enjoyed a celebratory run with my partner in crime, Whitney, who has been by my side for many of those 1200 miles this year. Thankful to have met her on a random early morning run last fall!
I run in the dark, the cold, the wind and rain and snow…not just to reach goals but just because I love to run that much! Do what you love, love what you do!
Runner With A Hunger 