• Home
  • About Me
    • Meet the Team
  • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Disclosure + Privacy Policy

Mommy Runs It

Life After Spinal Fusion Surgery [ Run | Travel | Joy ]

  • Running
    • Running Gear
    • Races
    • Galloway Training
    • My Dad’s Two Cents
    • Running with Asthma
  • Spinal Fusion
    • Spinal Fusion FAQ
    • Spinal Fusion Success Stories
  • Travel
  • Health/Fitness
    • Healthy Living
    • Snacks, Smoothies, & More
    • Odds + Ends
  • Product Reviews
    • Giveaways
      • Current Giveaways
      • Past Giveaways
    • Shopping
      • Fitness Wear Faves
    • Gift Guides
      • 2015 Must Have Products Guide
      • 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
      • 2014 Holiday Gift Guide
      • 2013 Holiday Gift Guide
  • Florida Life
    • Northeast Florida
    • Florida Prepaid
  • Work W/ Me

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running

January 5, 2015 By Sharon Wilhelm 8 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. 

A New Year’s Vision: Past, Present, and Future

2014 was a good year. It was a heck of a lot better than 2013 and 2012. It was probably better than the last few years before that too, but seriously, who can even remember that far back?

There’s been much talk on the interwebs this week about New Year’s resolutions.

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

source: Google.com

A “firm decision.”

The “action of solving a problem.”

“Intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, plan.”

All good stuff. But as I’ve learned in the last few years, life is fluid and messy. Goals aren’t always finite tasks to be checked off on a to-do list. Today’s firm decision might not work with tomorrow’s circumstances. Problems don’t always need to be solved NOW. And sometimes the only way to find peaceful resolution is by accepting that there is no solution.

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

If some of this sounds counter-intuitive, well – that’s because it is. In general, people want things to be black and white. We want to measure our success with numbers. Lose xx pounds – check. Run xx minutes faster – check. Earn xx dollars – check.

We’re goal-setters. List-makers. Problem-solvers. At least I know I am.

But lately, especially since turning 40, I’ve been asking myself – what would happen if, perhaps, I stopped trying so hard to solve, change, enumerate, resolve? What if instead of trying to fix myself, I accepted myself? Crazy, I know. But is it possible that I’m okay just the way I am?

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

photo credit: Sugar Booger Memory Lane Photography

And so this year, here’s what I think. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions, I want to focus on a broader vision of my future self. Goals, yes. But instead of committing to a checklist of finite goals, I’m going to commit to simply living with intention, with the courage to face the unknown, and with faith that the universe has big things in store for me (even if they’re not the things I think I want right now).

So on that note, I want to reflect a little on my vision of my future self in a series of posts – because right now it’s still a little fuzzy. Maybe it will be more clear by the time I get to the end of this posts. Maybe it won’t. Who knows. But I think a good place to start is with some thoughts about my past, present, and future.

Let’s start with running.

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

Past

2014 Races:

  • 26.2 with Donna (February)
  • Tour de Pain Extreme Half Marathon (March)
  • Marathon High Virtual Half Marathon (September)

I didn’t race much in 2014, and I’m okay with that. Racing is fun, but my real passion is for training. I love my long runs – the longer (and sometimes the slower) the better. I race for the medals and the magnets on my car. But I RUN because I love it. 2014 marked my 3rd season of marathon training with the Jacksonville Galloway Group and my 3rd season with my beloved training group, the MandM’s. I trained all the way up to 20 miles before having a change of plans (more on that in a minute).

For the first time since I began running in 2012, I began focusing on speedwork and experimenting with pace and run-walk ratios. I incorporated sprints, bridge repeats, and tempo runs into my weekly training, and I was really starting to see a difference in both my speed and endurance. But because of my asthma, it sometimes felt like two steps forward, one step back.

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

2014 Running Summary:

  • 2014 total miles = 691.68
  • Average monthly miles = 55-60
  • Highest mileage = January and February
  • Lowest mileage = July and December

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

Present

If you keep up with me at all on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, then you know that I caught the flu in mid-December – and you’ve probably heard me whining expressing my frustration about my painfully slow recovery. It’s been 3 weeks since I came down with the flu, and yesterday was the first time I was able to run more than 2 miles without practically barfing up a lung.

Obviously, this has thrown a wrench in my marathon training. My last long run (20 miles) was on November 22. I missed a 23 mile run, and I had to skip the Jacksonville Bank Marathon last weekend. The ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon is in 2 weeks, and the 26.2 with Donna (the marathon I’ve been training for since July) is in 6 weeks. Will I be ready for either? I don’t know…and I guess that’s where that faith thing comes in. I’ll just keep doing my best, and time will tell.

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

Future

I won’t lie. I’d like to envision my 2015 self as a faster runner. Also a stronger runner and an uninjured runner. Specifics? Well, sure. I’d like to finish another marathon, preferably with a PR. And I’d like to run a few half marathons. There are hopefully some Rock ‘n’ Roll races in my future. A half marathon finish time of 2:15 sounds like a nice, even number. A doable number, I think. Beyond that? I’m not sure. I need to wait and see how the next 6 weeks go first.

Oh – and in the interest of accountability, I have to admit that I’ve almost completely stopped any kind of cross training whatsoever. I’ve never really been great about this, but my lack of effort is at an all-time high (low?). At the very least, I need to get back in the habit of my Monday morning yoga class, which I truly love. It’s good for my mental health, and it makes me a better runner. No more excuses.

So cross training once a week, running 3-4 times a week, more speedwork, and careful maintenance of my asthma. Seems like a good place to start.

A New Year’s Vision, Part 1: Running | Mommy Runs It #newyearsresolutions #2015

Next Up? A New Year’s Vision, Part 2: Blogging

I showed you mine. Now show me yours? What are your running goals/resolutions/visions for 2015?

Mommy Runs It

A New Year's Vision, Part 2: Blogging
Busch Gardens Tampa - My Family's 5 Must-See Attractions!
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

You May Also Like:

Filed Under: Galloway Training, Life, Love, + Laughter, Running Tagged With: 26.2 with donna, fitness blog, goals, life lessons, new years resolutions, quotes, racing, running, zooma Last updated: January 4, 2018 at 16:42 pm

About Sharon Wilhelm

Sharon is a mom, a marathon runner, and a licensed therapist. She owns Mommy Runs It, a fitness & lifestyle blog. She is a passionate advocate of the Galloway training method and knows firsthand that everyday moms can run marathons. Connect with Sharon on Google+.

I'd love to hear your thoughts... Cancel reply

Comments

  1. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    January 8, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    I hope you are feeling well soon and ready to take on your upcoming races.

    Reply
    • sharon says

      January 11, 2015 at 8:08 am

      Thanks Abby! Hope to cross paths with you at an RnR event this year.

      Reply
  2. Jenn says

    January 6, 2015 at 4:06 pm

    Great perspective. You’re going to have a fabulous year!

    After I get this marathon out of the way, I want to focus on my 5K. I have let a lot slide for distance and endurance and it’s time to incorporate all the bridges and speedwork and “fun” things again. I will run a few more half marathons in 2015 and also get back to yoga.

    Reply
    • sharon says

      January 11, 2015 at 8:07 am

      Thanks Jenn! I’m thinking about you and following your updates this morning. I want to work on my 5K too. I’d actually love to find a track that I can do speedwork on – maybe UNF? Can’t wait to hear about your marathon. xo

      Reply
  3. Carson says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    I want to run faster in 2015. But I ran a marathon in December and still feel as if I haven’t recovered, so at this point, I really want to get back to where I was pre-marathon.

    Reply
    • sharon says

      January 6, 2015 at 11:24 am

      Congrats!!! Love your marathon recap on your blog. 🙂 After my first marathon, it took me weeks and weeks to recover. I was hurt and just kind of struggling – physically and a little mentally too, probably. Post-marathon blues I guess. Recovery from my second one was much easier (thank goodness)

      Reply
  4. Ami says

    January 5, 2015 at 12:58 pm

    My running goal this year is to run at least one half marathon with my BFF Sharon! 🙂

    Reply
    • sharon says

      January 6, 2015 at 11:47 am

      Hey, funny thing, perfect stranger randomly commenting on my blog. I have the same exact goal! Only my BFFs name is Ami. Freaky coincidence, no?

      Reply

Let’s Connect!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on LinkedInFollow Us on InstagramFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on YouTubeFollow Us on Medium

search this site

People Are Reading

  • I Survived the 3 Day Refresh (and Hated Every Minute of It)
  • Life After Spinal Fusion Surgery (or What to Expect…
  • Spinal Fusion Recovery Update: 5 Months Post-Op
  • Shakeology Review: Superfood or Super Fail?
  • Marathon Training Programs: Galloway 101
  • The Safest + Most Effective Exercises During Your…
  • Spinal Fusion FAQ: Will I Be Able to Feel the…
  • Our Visit to Busch Gardens + 5 Tips for Visiting…
  • 21 Day Fix Review (We Spent $77, But YOU Don’t…
  • New Year Reflections + 2019 Family Goals

myfloridaprepaid | Mommy Runs It


USFamilyGuide.com


The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Meet Sharon Wilhelm, LCSW

Hi, I'm Sharon. I run. I blog. I chase my kids. I eat a lot of cookies. I lose stuff. My husband says I could break a bowling ball. It's nice to meet you. Read More…

View My Blog Posts
#ad | Florida Prepaid: Open Enrollment 2019 | Mommy Runs It

It’s Open Enrollment time for Florida Prepaid, and I’ve got some updates for you. Here’s everything you need to know about Florida Prepaid College Plans in 2019.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

© 2019 mommy runs it ·Mommy Runs It · Genesis Framework by StudioPress · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.