Looking both ways

Day 3 of 2012!
Wow, is it really 2012?

In the blink of an eye, I am 37 years old, my first born is in the third grade, and 18 States and 23 marathons have come and gone!

During the Christmas break, I was able to look back at the past year and reflect on the successes and failures. It really allowed me to also look into the next year and formulate some goals and resolutions.

In 2011
I yelled at the kids a lot.
I drank a little too much.
I wasn't always patient with my wife.
I failed to PR.


but,
I managed work and spent more time with the family.
We vacationed more as a family.
We (wife and I) maintained a loving but strict approach in raising A & A.
I accomplished some career objectives.
I ran hard, and got stronger.
I ran three marathons, including my first double, totaled 1,577 miles in 2011.

Taking the good with the bad, here are my goals for 2012.
[here is a side note: someone I really respect in running wrote that one should not blab about goals b/c 1. many do so only to brag about his accomplishment 2. many fail 3. just talk less and DO(RUN) MORE! In some ways I agree. However, I assure you that my intention is not to brag. Rather, I have always felt that once I've verbalized my goals, I am held accountable for these goals. So here goes]

In 2012,

I will be a better father
I will be a better husband
I will drink (FAR) less
I will be a better runner
I will be looking for a new PR < 3:58 I will chalk > 2,000 miles
I will run 4 marathons and one ultra marathon in 2012

Ok, there I've said it. I've said it in such a way that I think I can and will accomplish all of the above... some will be harder than other, but I hope to be able to post a nice report card at the beginning of 2013...

I hope everyone is off to a great start in 2012 and may this be the best year for everyone!

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff
1/3/12

Sleepless before Seattle

Only 19 days to go! Is it time to panic yet? The pre-race jitter has set in… its not unusual but I have put a lot of pressure on myself for this race. I think I’ve said this to myself at least a thousand times (no exaggeration) “ I MUST PR.” Hopefully the amount of training has readied the body as well as given me the mental toughness needed for those last few miles. I think having a few friends running with me is going to be a big (positive) factor as well. ~good luck to Mike & MariAnne C., Tito N., Larry C., David L., and my sister Chris~ Looking forward to hanging out with all of you for a day.

Ran my last V02 today and discussed the results with Ironmen co-worker and Yoda. Things are looking pretty good. Just need to taper off properly and watch my nutrition and amount of sleep over the next 2.5 weeks. Speaking of sleep, or the lack of… I think I am permanently sleep deprived. I sure miss sleeping in on the weekends. Weekend long runs don’t really help but the biggest obstacle for my sleep has obviously been the kids. They seem to always wake up extra early on the weekends (but wants to sleep in on school days).

Big thanks to my lovely wife who has been positively extra supportive through the past 15 weeks. I hope you survive the kids on the 25th. I’ll be home right after the race… (after a shower of course).

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,
Jeff

Playing for JV

Well, I was pretty happy with my new PR (22:13) at the company 5K today...

Until I looked up Yoda's course PR of 18:58. I don't think he was even trying hard.

Welcome to the JV team Jeff, welcome...

Somewhere in Dagobah if you are reading this Yoda, I am doing my best to reach my potential. but I am afraid my potential just isn't very high...


One race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff