Resolve to set more goals!

I've never been a big New Year's Resolution person.  If you want to change something, change it now!  However, I am definitely goal-oriented.  But is there really a big difference between setting resolutions for the new year, and setting goals?  I had to look up resolution to feel confident in answering this. And found that it has many meanings, of course, but to sum up: a resolve or determination; the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc; the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose. So more of a course of action, a process, whereas a goal is the end-point, what you're working towards.


Why set goals?  A goal is defined as: the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end. Setting goals allows you to state what you want, where you want to be -- to focus. It gives you confidence when you accomplish one, it provides you with direction, it allows you to prioritize, and it helps you accomplish more. 


Resolutions can be great, but oftentimes they lose their luster and fall flat 3-5 weeks into the year.  Suddenly the hype is gone, the sales are over, the gyms have ceased their "new year, new you!" offers, and life returns to normal.  The resolution to "work out more" turns into "well maybe I'll work out more when I have the time."  And they generally only happen once a year: January 1st.  I don't hear of many "Independence Day Resolutions." But goals don't go away, the gimmick isn't over until the goal is accomplished.  Goals are concrete. 


So instead of resolutions, I set goals.  As I created my list of goals for 2011, it was a little daunting.  Now I may be what some people call a little bit of an "overachiever," so there's also something to be said about setting a reasonable amount of realistic goals.  And I'm sharing some of mine because if I share them, I'm more likely to accomplish them.  Because now you know about them, and you can hold me accountable.  And they're in writing, and I can't take them back.  So here goes nothing... 


1. Run marathon.  And the best part of my #1 goal?!  It's DONE.  I sludged through 26.2 miles on 1/16/11. Finished. Checked off.  Celebrated. 
And boy am I paying for it... but I'll save that for another day...


2. Master's degree.  Eek.  I am supposed to graduate on May 21st, so long as I complete my thesis this semester.  I say "supposed to" because I'm struggling to focus on my thesis, to put words down onto paper, and to crank this thing out.  And no, I don't know how many pages it's supposed to be.  Because that would make it 10 times easier. 


3. Learn how to brew beer.  Oh yeah, and some goals should be fun!  I can't wait to tackle this one.  And by tackle I mean pour my finished product and DRINK it!  I just have to get through goal #2 first... (aka prioritizing...). 


4. Moderation.  This is not a coincidence that this one lands right after learning how to brew beer.  I sure love a mean IPA, a crisp Pale Ale, a chocolatey velvet stout, an eye-watering ESB... ok you get the point, I love beer.  But I sure don't love the mean, crisp, velvety, eye-stabbing headache that comes the morning after one too many.  I usually don't drink during the week, and sometimes feel the need to make up for this come Friday night.  Clearly this is not the best idea. I can say this right now and know it to be true.  But Friday at 11pm after 3 beers, my alter ego (let's call her moron) convinces myself that it is a silly, absurd, irrational idea and that I will feel just fine after 3 more.  Cue the next morning, rather the next evening, when I'm peeling myself out of bed at 4pm.  Of course this has only happened to me once in my life...   ;-)


5. Journal or blog once a week.  Well, sometimes you don't quite meet your goal right away. This is my second blog this month... meaning I haven't quite met my quota.  I'm still trying to get back in the hang of blogging.  Actually, who am I kidding, I'm trying to get into the hang of blogging!  Luckily, this goal is part pleasure and part therapeutic. Meaning if I skip a blog one week, I won't be utterly disappointed in myself.  If I skip my Master's degree, I might be a little disappointed.  But with blogging there's another aspect -- topics.  I love to write, but sometimes don't know what to write about -- ideas anyone??


6. Create variety in fitness routine.  I think I have a slightly addictive personality.  Me like soccer.  Me play soccer 6 times a week for 4 years.  Me like yogurt.  Me eat yogurt every day for 10 years.  I find something I like, and I stick to it like gum on the bottom of my shoe (aka, very closely).  Not all addictions are bad, but variety can be good.  I should shake up my fitness routine because I tend to get into fitness ruts.  Running is great for the body and mind, but it's also good to mix it up.  Erica, step away from the treadmill.  See those free weights back there?  Go.  Use them.  NOW. 


7. Manage stress better.  Back to that overachieving thing... I like to be busy, to be involved, to be active.  But when I'm working full-time, attending grad school part-time at night, writing a thesis, playing soccer 6 days a week, being captain of one of those teams, running 3 days a week, president of the local adult soccer league, and trying to maintain a social life with friends and family... you could say I might get a little stressed out.  Perhaps impatient.  Maybe a tad grouchy.  A bit tired.  I know none of you have gone through this, so I'll just say that it's not always pleasant!  So my mini-goals are to balance school and work , not over-commit myself, and find ways each week to take care of myself.  Although for mini-goals, they are proving to be quite the challenge...


8.  Save money.  As my parents say, I go broke saving money on sales.  I am a firm believer that there is a mouse in my closet that chews holes in my pockets, and my money just pours right through them.  That same mouse must also steal my credit cards and hit up J. Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, the Nugget, etc... on a regular basis, and while I'm sound asleep.  It's weird, I tried calling my credit card companies to report the fraudulent charges by said mouse, but they refuse to believe me.  I would set traps for my identity thieving mouse, but I don't believe in cruelty to animals.  


9.  Attitude: more patience, understanding, love, kindness.  This probably ties into many of my previous goals, because they're all interrelated.  So I plan to show kindness when I meet this mouse, to be understanding of her spending problem, be patient with her impulse buys and incessant hole-chewing, and love her endlessly when she stops chewing holes and stealing credit cards.  Man, she must have quite the wardrobe.  It must be squeeky clean, quite the mouse blouse...
But seriously... more of the above, towards all.  And this is more of a life goal, rather than just for 2011.  Because that might be weird if at midnight on Dec 31 I suddenly turned into an impatient, judging, rude, you-know-what!

10. Work: better attitude.  I'm abbreviating this goal because I'm posting this on a website, online, for all to see.  So right now I'm smiling, and vowing to have a more positive attitude at work.  Or at least vowing to try. 

11. Become certified in personal training.  A prerequisite to this goal is becoming CPR/AED certified.  Lucky for me, I completed this pre-req on 1/25/11.  If you're my friend and reading this right now, you're probably thinking, "I didn't know you wanted to become a PT?"  Unless you're my one friend I've talked to about this (hi, T!).  So there it is - I've realized that I'm passionate about health and fitness, and about helping others, and I would love to be able to use this in a more structured way.  Now this doesn't mean I'm going to quit my day job and go work at 24-Hour as a personal trainer, but it's a stepping stone in the direction I think I'd like to head.  First I have to get through goal #2 (Master's) and make progress on goal #8 (save money) so that I can afford to become certified... oh the joy of pursuing your passions - nobody tells you it will cost you an arm and a leg when you're a kid! 


So that's my list of goals for 2011.  Some are rather large, some are on smaller scale; some are practical, some are fun.  Some are expensive, some are free.  


And to throw another shocker out there, this is my long-term career goal:
I would like to become a professional brewer, and work in a brewery, while also becoming certified in many aspects of personal training, health and fitness, and life coaching - particularly for special populations (older adults, obese people, people with disabilities).  So that I will spend my days brewing beer, sharing my passion for health and fitness, and teaching/helping others.  That will be the day...

Everything I need to know about life I learned from running a marathon.

Ok, maybe not everything.  But I certainly learned quite a few lessons over the past 4 months that apply to many aspects of life.  There was humor, pain, and joy throughout this process.  I am stronger, healthier, and happier.  But it didn't always come easy...

1. Set goals.  This one seems obvious.  But deeper than just setting goals, set meaningful goals that challenge you.  Two years ago when asked if I would ever run a marathon, I hesitated to answer affirmatively because I truly did not think it would be possible.  I was setting comfortable goals, ones that did not challenge me.  I knew that a marathon would be challenging, that I may struggle.  So I hesitated.  And then I went for it.  And I accomplished it. And it meant a lot more to me because it was huge, and I didn't know if I could do it... but I did. Set goals that will break you down, build you up, and make you grow.  If it's too easy, the payoffs won't be nearly as beneficial.

2. Step outside of your comfort zone.  Take chances.  Along with setting meaningful goals, do things that will make you uncomfortable.  Take risks.  It's easy to be comfortable, to keep doing the same thing.  But trying new things and stepping outside of your comfort zone will help you grow.

3. Have a plan. I researched marathon plans extensively.  I found beginner plans, intermediate plans, advanced plans, and every other kind of plan.  Find one that works for you.  I created a calendar of my runs, with the miles marked on each day accordingly -- for 4 months.  I cross trained one day per week.  I did long runs on the weekends.  I had a plan, and it helped keep me on track.  Have a plan for your life.

4. ... But know when to deviate from your plan.  It's good to have a plan, but it's better to know when to stray from it.  At first I was meticulous about following my plan.  But then I got sick.  And went on vacation.  And my shins hurt.  It's good to have a framework for the goal you're working towards, but it's also good to know when it's better for you to step away from the plan. 

5. Listen to your body.  If it hurts, give it a break.  If you're tired, rest.  If you're thirsty, drink.  Hungry, eat.  Sick, all of the above.  Listen to what your body is telling you.  Your body knows when you're pushing too far, when you need a day (or two) off, when it needs a break from pounding the pavement (or working too much, sleeping too little, overloading your schedule, etc...).  Listen to it. 

6. Learn balance.  When I signed up for my marathon, I quit soccer.  This may not sound like a monumental decision, but I was playing on about 6 teams per week.  It was what I did, who I was.  But frankly, I was tired of it.  I didn't want to play until 10pm three nights per week, to eat dinner at 11pm and shower closer to midnight.  I wanted to have more time to myself, to go for runs and make dinner and be in bed by 10pm.  To watch some of my favorite shows.  To not be tied down.  So I quit soccer and focused on my marathon.  A little too much.  I substituted one commitment for another.  About halfway through training I realized this, and backed off of training a little.  Find balance.  With whatever you're doing, learn to balance your commitments. 

7. Accountability. Tell others about your goals.  Tell them when it is, how your progress is going, and how you're feeling.  Friends and family will hold you accountable and encourage you, and tell you when you're pushing too hard.  They'll take you out for happy hours when your body hurts and you need a break.  They'll support you and remind you what you're capable of.  They'll cheer you on, and be there for you.  They'll celebrate your progress through the process, and celebrate your accomplishments afterward.

8. Remember the reasons why you're doing something.  I'm not going to lie, 2-3 months into my training I got burnt out.  I was pounding away on the pavement 5 days a week, piling on the mileage, and losing steam.  My mind was cluttered with what pace I was doing, how many miles I had to do, whether or not I was behind schedule, whether or not I could actually do this.  I forgot about all of the reasons that I love to run... escaping from the world, freeing my thoughts, working out the day's stresses, feeling the fresh air, stretching my legs, enjoying the beauty around me, getting lost in my music, etc...  I had to do a mental check, and remind myself why I was doing this.  I had to remind myself that it wasn't about my pace, it was about me accomplishing a goal and growing along the way. About running for the love of running.  Enjoy the activities in life - remember why you enjoy them, what aspects you love.  Don't get bogged down by outside influences.

9. Moderation. Drink too much = feel bad.  Run too much = feel bad.  Drink too much before night of long run = bad, bad run.  Do things in moderation.

10. Reward yourself.  Whether it's a pizza after a long run, or a new shirt after the final 20-miler (or a trip after a promotion, night out with the girls after graduating, etc..)... reward yourself along the way.  It will keep you going, keep you motivated.  Mini-goals along the road to a larger goal make the path easier to travel on.


11. Sleep is good.  I run much better when I sleep.  I'm also a much more pleasant person to be around.  I also tend not to overeat, or crave a drink to ease the headache.  I'm less irritable and cranky.  The bags aren't as noticeable under my eyes.  Sleep is good.  For everyone.

12. Share.  Share your story and listen to others.  Get tips, give tips.  I got a lot of great advice from others, via the internet and in person.  Sharing stories helps.  The aches and pains and mental tribulations aren't new, and it helps to hear about others going through similar experiences.  Whatever you're going through, you're not alone. 

13. Be yourself.  Loosen up.  I decided to make a shirt for my run.  They say if you put your name on the front, people will cheer you on personally.  I'm sure if I would have put "Erica" on my shirt I would have gotten quite a few more cheers.  Instead, I went with a lifelong nickname, from my dear brothers: Ferd.  Yes, Ferd... like Ferdinand the Bull.  I got a few people to yell "Go Ferd!" while looking at me quizzically.  But it fit.  I also put "Will Run for Beer" on the back... people commented on it and I met others while hacking out those 26 miles.  Don't be afraid to be silly, to brand yourself, to be yourself.

14.  Cheer for others who are working towards a goal.  As a runner struggling through my first marathon, I appreciated every person on the road cheering us on.  Especially children with handmade signs for their parents who wanted to high-five everyone along the way.  Each time I got a high five from a beaming child I could feel my pace pick up, my spirit was rejuvenated.  Cheer others on, literally and figuratively. 

15. Listen, look, and enjoy the scenery.  There were thousands of people along the route, cheering runners on.  There were bands every mile or so. Signs everywhere.  Lots of clapping, yelling, cheering, and words of encouragement.  Tons of smiles.  Hugs.  Listen and look around, wherever you are.  Enjoy what's around you.  We live in a beautiful world.  Don't miss it.

16. Don't give up.  You will hit the wall, and it will challenge you.  You will encounter hard times in life, trying times, painful times.  My first marathon was rough.  My legs starting hurting around mile 6 - not a good sign when there's 20 more miles to run.  But you just have to push through.  Don't give up.

17. Nourish yourself!  Our bodies need food to fuel us through life.  Along my run there was water and cytomax and bananas and Gu and all kinds of energy enhancers.  Our bodies need water and food, don't deprive them of these nutrients.  Know where your food comes from, know what's in it, and nourish yourself.

18. Take it one step at a time.  When I was at mile 20 and struggling to understand how I could make another 6 miles, I literally took it one step at a time.  Step by step, mile by mile, I got there.  Take life one step at a time. 

19. No pain no gain!  Man my legs hurt, at mile 6 and 18 and 22 and 26.2!  But I gained so much from pushing through the pain.  Pain can be physical, emotional, mental... pain is pain.  We learn and grow from our experiences.  The most painful experiences in my past have taught me the most, I have learned invaluable lessons from my most tearful moments.  Gain from the pain.

20.  The longest distance in the race is between your ears.  I saw this somewhere else, and it couldn't be more true.  Running is both physically and mentally challenging.  My legs hurt, but my mind was the real challenge.  My legs could keep moving, but would my mind convince them not to?  Mental battles can be tough - often we are capable of so much more than our minds will allow us to believe.  Believe in yourself, challenge your mind to go after what seems impossible. 

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
-John Bingham

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs."
-Jesse Owens

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian