Did I get to the finish line? Looking back on 2010...

I’ve been looking back at post from the beginning of 2010. I was in the same place I had been many years before. Wanting to run faster, wanting to weigh less, wanting…wanting. I made promises to myself on Moloaa beach in Kauai and gave away my television in hopes that it would motivate me finally to reach my goals.

So what did I accomplish? Let’s take a look shall we?

Weight Loss –

I’m currently 8lbs away from reaching my original goal of losing 100lbs I set for myself back in December of 2003. Yes, it’s taken me THIS long to get THIS close. Of course, over this year I moved the goal as I realized that 100lbs, while an impressive and clean number, wasn’t the right number for me. As I’ve emerged with a new body I’ve learned that I have a petite frame. A petite frame that should actually be 120lbs lighter than my starting weight.

Running Faster –

How close am I on this one? Well it depends on the day. Again, keeping my numbers all nice and tidy I’d set myself a goal of running consistent 10 minute miles over a ½ marathon course. For most runners moving the needle on the speed you run is as hard as adding muscle to a weight lifter. It’s hard. I knew that at the beginning of the year but tossed my head in disdain at the unachievable. I was going to finally lose the weight and just by being lighter I’d run faster. Or at least I hoped and prayed I would. Luckily for me I was right. I’m down some 60lbs since the beginning of the year. It’s dramatically impacted my speed and I’ve gone from an average 12:30/mile to 10:15 – 10:20/mile. Yes, that’s close to 15 seconds away from my speed goal. If my math is right, I can see the sub 10 minute mile in my future.

Running further –

This wasn’t really a goal. I just knew I’d need to run a LOT this year to meet all my personal goals. Other than a couple of times when I pressed the buttons wrong on the watch, I’ve worn my Garmin GPS watch on every single run this year. According to the little tracky thing, I’ve run just shy of a whopping 800 miles this year. Holy crap! That’s like running from X to X. Now that I’ve measured it I’m going to have to make a goal for 2011. 

Did I get to the finish line in 2010? Well no, not really. I did, however get a LOT closer than I’ve ever been in years past. I also feel, for probably the first time in my memory, positive about my accomplishments in 2010. While I didn’t reach the finish line this year I can clearly see it just over the hill in the distance. I don’t hear the voice in my head saying “OK. Here we go again…” This year I hear “Almost there!”

So what do I have planned for 2011? Well I’m already jotting down ideas I’ll be sharing with you soon. I absolutely expect to get to the finish line on the goals I didn’t finish this year. But knowing me, I’ll have added a new one before 2011 is out. But it’s not finishing the race that’s important is it? It’s about the journey.

So what’s going to be your journey in 2011? I’ll be rooting for ya!

Comments

[laurafrofro]

FANTASTIC, Jo Jo. My journey in 2011 will be trying to keep up with you! :) xoxo Fro Fro

[Brad Fallon]

My journey would be to follow what you had done. It took you 7 years to almost loose 100lbs while I will aim for it in 2 years time. That way, I can run faster and longer. Hope you will still be having your blog because I will definitely check on you and follow your goal setting. Wish me luck for my journey.:)

[kiralık devremülkler]

thank you. i love to read this type of information posts. again thank you...