Goals for '22

Running: Goals for 2022

When it comes to running, I appreciate that there is always room for improvement. Not that I’m unhappy with the outcomes l, but there are certainly areas where I need to do better. Doing that means accomplishing the following:

1. Improve Speed. Although I did well in my age group last year, frankly, there were far too many times that other runners flew past me during the final quarter mile. I’ve never been a sprinter, but I need to develop a stronger kick as well as make certain that the final mile of each race is my fastest. Doing so will take more than speed work. I’m going to also need to look at how I run each mile in my races.

2. Improve endurance in the heat and humidity. The upside to running early mornings is that I avoid the worst of the heat and humidity during the summer. But that also makes me more vulnerable to those conditions. If I’m going to have a strong performance at the Bix 7 in late July, I’m going to need to be stronger in both heat and humidity – something this Davenport race always provides. That likely translates into at least one afternoon run this summer.

3. Avoid major injuries. Much as I wish otherwise, injuries come with running. But hopefully, with proper training and care, I can minimize them when they do occur so that I don’t lose several weeks of training.

4. Maintain a proper balance between running and everything else. This is perhaps my most challenging and important goal. Last summer’s Fueled by Fine Wine race in Oregon serves as a good lesson. Because it took place at the end of our vacation,a great deal of my attention focused on this race. This distracted me from enjoying time in my home state with Amy and my family as much as I should have. When the actual race turned out to be a lackluster event with lackluster results, I felt badthat I’d given itso much prominence over my first vacation in nearly two years.

5. Be grateful for the opportunity to run. A couple years ago, a friend of mine suggested reading Deena Kastor’s “Let Your Mind Run.” It was a solid read that I recommend to any runner. What stood out most to me was that this amazingly talented runner devoted much of her time to just being thankful. For the opportunities to compete. For the friendships developed through running. And for simply being able to savor the experiences of running itself – whether a frigid morning or a heavy downpour or scorching hot day. I know that it’s easy for me to get caught up in some aspect of my work life or personal life or the last race or the next race or whatever. I need to simply appreciate that I am able to do something that I enjoy as much as running.