I’m intentionally going to limit this reply to my running :) What did I do towards my goals - to achieve them? Discipline and education. Plain and simple. Hard work, both mentally and physically, that went so far beyond simply showing up and doing the minimum that I needed to do achieve the stated goals, which is what I did last year.

Now don’t get me wrong. Working the minimum got me from a couch potato to a marathoner, and it was probably better that I did it that way last time around. But this year, I’ve become considerably more focussed, more demanding of myself, and a lot more successful. Before, I was simply someone who ran. Now, I am a runner.

On a small scale, meditation has helped me smooth out the wrinkles so to speak. It’s become a new way of motivation, relaxation and de-stressing. Maybe that’s not small scale….

And my committment to running is unlike ever before. I said to my boyfriend the other day, “How am I able to do this? How do I get up and just walk out the door and run 8 miles? Where does this come from?” I’ve never been able to do this before. Something steady and strong inside me. I’ve never even comtemplated a marathon before, and now it’s something tangible.

I’m taking care of my body better too: vegetarainism, meditation, fitness. I’ve never felt so strong.

tracy
http://durteemartini.blogs.com

ah! thanks for priming the pump, chris!

it’s been an awakening year, to say the least. i’ll save your site from an amazingly long winded comment and just write up an amazingly long winded blog entry =)

It was a great year for me, Chris. I ran my first real races. Finished my first half marathon, a distance I couldn’t even imagine doing a year ago. And I met some very cool people on the web, who live so very far away but seem to be right next door anyway.

Can I just have Jon’s comment (except the half, which is only a dream for me!)Truly, it’s been a great year for personal growth–and to make these physical and mental changes in mid-life is really cool. What makes me closer to new goals? The knowledge that I can do anything I put my mind to.

Good question!!

Well, in spite of getting a little bit plumper (about 10 biggies, to be precise), I do have some things that I feel quite proud of for this year:

-Started a little blog–to interact, reflect, and for emotional catharsis.
-Quit a job I had for 7 yrs. and HATED–to pursue other things that bring me closer to my dreams.
-Became a vegetarian, then mostly vegan in an effort to be mindful of the environment(ok, vegan for only 1 mo.)
-Got engaged to the man of my dreams (hey, if you can’t be cheesy, then what do you have?)
-Adopted a lovely, perfect labrador from the pound
-Made great grades
-Reached out to others to have more friends that are like the person I want to be.
-Big Brothers, Big Sisters (for 2.5 yrs, with same little girl…It’s great, although she did just move)

I like myself better already. Happy Thanksgiving, Chris! I really like reading about all of your smart-ass adventures!

Cool questions, Chris! Rather than clutter your comments section I posted my responses over in my blog…

I just feel gratified that I am again able to run and that I am moving forward. My running goals for 2005 are things that were not even in my consciousness a year ago. Back then I would have said “I could never do that.” Next year at this time I can’t wait to list off all the cool things I will have done!!

~ Lara