I run for...improvement.

 

One of the reasons I fell in love with running is that with every run you improve. My very first run (described in my initial blog post) was hard but that second run was a little bit easier. Then with ease came distance and suddenly I was running farther than I had ever run before. Even now, two years into my running journey, I make improvements along the way. Sometimes it’s a faster pace. Sometimes it's in regards to a mental feat - just getting myself out the door or convincing myself to run all the way up the hill, etc. I am always improving.

A big part of making improvements is making goals for yourself. In life I have learned that I need challenges. Challenges pose as opportunities for improvement. This is also true for my running. I have never been one to make it "easy" on myself. Right out of the gate, with just 2 months of consistent running experience under my belt, I made a new year's resolution to not only run 500 miles in 2012 but to also run my first marathon. Guess what? I did it! Crazy as that may have seemed at the time it was that commitment that drove me to success.

Last year with 2012 coming to an end I once again made a commitment to running 500 miles for the year, running a marathon, and adding in an additional race, a half-marathon, in the Spring. DONE! I have surpassed my goal of 500 miles (555 miles to be exact). I ran the Go! St Louis Half-Marathon in April 2013 and the Rock N' Roll Savannah Marathon in November 2013.

In 2014 I plan to push myself even farther.

#1 - Run 600 miles for the year.
#2 - Half Marathon in May - The Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati (possibly making this a marathon run)
#3 - Marathon in November - Pensacola Marathon in Florida

And most likely, I will add a few other fun races in there too. I've always wanted to do a color or neon run and the hot chocolate run sounds awesome too!

So what are your goals for the year? I CHALLENGE you to do more running this year. Do you need to commit to a race this year? Running faster or farther? Or maybe you just need to commit to getting out the door. Whatever your goals may be I know you won't be disappointed with the rewards that running can bring you.

Happy New Year! Best wishes (and running!) to you in 2014!

Love, Amanda