By Michelle Kruse
There can’t be a better way to start the day than by enjoying the morning sky from a mountaintop. The only thing that made it better was the feeling of accomplishment to go along with the view… having run five miles, in the company of my brother, to witness this wonderful sight.
We’ve just spent several days in Rocky Mountain National Park and are now in Golden, CO visiting my sister and my brother and his wife. My parents are here, too. The whole day has been great. And, to top it off, today is my birthday (a milestone age) and I get to spend it with my family and one of my very best friends.
I think birthdays are the perfect time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments. So far, this has been a great year and I’ve accomplished quite a few things on my to-do list in the past year: two marathons, four triathlons (including the half-Ironman), sending my baby to kindergarten and loving life with my kids, my husband, family and friends old and new. We’re staying happy and healthy. What a truly great year it has been!
But, I also think it’s important to make new goals, especially after reflecting on the ones you’ve accomplished. Everyone says if you want to accomplish something, make sure you tell people (and this goes for anything – losing weight, running your first 5K, etc.). It holds you accountable. So, here goes.
In the past year, I’ve made so many great strides with my running and training routine that I really want to keep pushing myself. This year, I’d like to run a Boston qualifying marathon and improve my time in the sprint and Olympic distance tri (not sure if I’ll have the time to train for another 70.3 this year). I’m also thinking about a late-September marathon. Since I’m already running long distances, I can be ready by then, (I haven’t stopped training and am still working out with my girlfriend who is training for the full Ironman in November). I’ll post my training plan later this week.
Will having this in writing help me meet my goals and reach that mountaintop? I hope so, since the view is always better when you worked to get there.
