Running Goals for 2023

Welcome to 2023!

I don't know about you, but I've never been one for resolutions. I've always thought that if I need to address some aspect of my life, why wait until January 1st to do it? Why not start now? But my return to competitive running has led me to reconsider this mindset. Since I tend to plan out my racing calendar into "mini seasons" throughout the calendar year, it seems appropriate to have goals that coincide with it.

Developing them is a combination of considering the outcomes from the previous year with what I hope to achieve in the coming one. Some goals will remain consistent from one year to the next while others are unique to that particular time. 2023's a perfect example as I'm hoping to avoid the pitfalls of last year while pursuing aspects of my running that I haven't consider before. With all of that in mind, I offer the following:

Running Goals for 2023

1. Remain Competitive in my Age Group. Simply put, I enjoy running and I enjoy competing. Considerable time and effort are dedicated to developing and maintaining a competitive edge. This my top priority.

2. Avoid Major Injury. Consider this the roadblock to achieving Goal #1. Gifted with the ability to overthink any issue, I've prepared what I hope is a solid gameplan to achieve this. The details of which are likely be the topic of a future blog.

3. Seek Improvements on "Running With Rick". My thanks to everyone who has reads my blogs. It’s my hope to make each post as interesting as well as enjoyable. I’ve some ideas on that which will also be the topic of post in the not-too-distant future.

4. Enhance My Ability to Run in the Cold. If I’m foolish enough to continue the abusive relationship that is participation in the Red Flannel Run, then I need to up my game when it comes to dealing with the challenges of an Iowa winter.

5. Refine Dietary Habits. Working with Ellen Davis from Davis Sports Nutrition, I’m working to revise my diet so that I take in enough of the right foods to fuel my workouts as well as help with injury prevention. Here's hoping I never hear the words "Brussel sprouts."

6. Determine an Appropriate Weight. This goes with the previous goal. Although I’ve maintained a consistent weight for the past five years, I’m always tempted to see if I can drop it down further. But that may not be a good idea in terms of fueling my body and avoiding injuries. I’m hoping that meeting the previous goal helps address this one as well.

7. Improve My Drake Half-Marathon Performance. Two consecutive years and two flare ups from my left IT band are enough for me. It tells me that I need to be in stronger physical condition for the demands of this race. Part of my plan to address that includes running the St. Paddy’s half marathon in March to better prepare myself. If I don’t have a good race for this one in ‘23, it won’t be because of my IT band.

8. Complete 2023 Racing Schedule. 2022 was not kind to my racing schedule. Having missed several of my favorites this past fall, I’m that much more determined to be compete in them this year.

9. Be Thankful for Running. My previous blog talked about failing to appreciate the experience of racing. Likewise, being able to savor the first hints of a sunrise or being the first to leave footprints in a light snow or stepping onto my front porch following a tough run into a brutal wind are all reasons to appreciate every time that I put on the Nike's.

10. Balance Running with Personal and Professional Life. 2023 will have changes in my life that are almost guaranteed to require more attention to maintaining a proper balance between running, my career, my friends and family and being a good husband. In turn, that will require more attention on my part to be certain I achieve this goal.

Not one of us knows what's in store for this upcoming year. But barring extraterrestrial invasions, new pandemics or the random zombie apocalypse, I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do about meeting these ten goals in the next twelve months.

What about you? What are your goals for 2023? Let me know in the comments below or on Facebook.