2015 Running Goals

Run 750 miles

Starting in February…because I’ve kinda missed January…that amounts to approximately 67 miles per month or about 17 miles a week.

Run the Louisville Triple Crown

The LTC is made up of three races in March/April. The Anthem 5k, Rhodes 10k, and Papa John 10 miler.

Run the Derby Festival Half Marathon

Check out my training plan HERE.

Speedwork

Starting with half marathon training, I’m going to try to incorporate more speed workouts into my training.

Get Stronger

Thanks to The Professor, I’m going to have access to the college gym. One day a week, I’m going to head over there and incorporate some strength training into my week.

Eat Healthier/Smarter

I starting using MyFitnessPal last year and it has helped my pay closer attention to what I’m eating. I’m not giving up sweets or bread anytime soon ever, but I am going to make sure I’m getting all of the nutrients I need to stay healthy.

Read a Running Book

There are lots of great running books out there and I have read exactly ZERO of them.

Run 12 races

I’m already registered for 4 and I’m looking for 8 more. Mostly 5ks or 10k, but I’m on the lookout for a fall half marathon.

RUN MARATHON #2

This goal is totally tentative, but I’m putting it on here. I am 100% undecided on marathon #2, but it might be a fun race to train for this fall.

What are your 2015 running goals?
What is your favorite book about running?

Blog Goals for 2015

This week I have been blogging for FOUR years! That's a long time :) I started this blog as a New Year's resolution but I never set any goals or expectations for this little online journal. That's essentially why I started it - to be a journal. I decided that 2015 will be the year that I take my little corner of the internet to the next level. Here are some of the things I have planned for 2015.

1. Update About Me page
I last updated this page in 2012 - yikes! A lot has changed in my life since then and I know I need to get this updated as I begin to network in the blogosphere.

2. Publish 3 posts per week
My posting has been sporadic (at best) these last four years. I would love to be able to post every day, but right now I think that 3 posts is more realistic for me.

3. Create a social presence for the blog
I recently created a Facebook page for KUWK but I'd like to start a Twitter and Instagram account. I'm currently using my personal accounts to promote my posts which I don't want to continue long term. I also want to learn more about using Google+, Pinterest, and other outlets to promote the blog.

4. Increase readership
I'm averaging 50 pages views per post and I would love to see that increase in 2015. This is a big goal with lots of parts! It ties closely with Goal 5 (Grow Relationships) and I know there is a lot of work to do to make this happen. I also want to have a better understanding of my blog analytics this year.

5. Grow online relationships
I consider myself a blog stalker at this point. I read a lot of blogs, but I don't do a lot of commenting/interacting. I plan to be more proactive about commenting and getting to know my fellow bloggers this year.

6. Learn how to create blog graphics
It seems silly, but I don't know the best resource out there to create blog graphics! I always see really neat ones on other blogs. I need to research this and learn how to make my blog graphics a bit more professional.

7. Move to self hosting
This is my biggest goal for the blog this year. I really want to move to a self hosted platform. This will entail a new look and feel for KUWK and will probably take a while to come to fruition! I'd love any insights, tips, tricks, etc on how to make this happen.

What goals do you have for your blog this year?

What are your recommendations for self hosting?

New Year, Same Goals

I've written about goals in the past: fitness goals, educational goals, blogging goals, and New Year’s resolutions. Since it’s January, I figured there is no better time to talk about some of my goals for 2014. As I was thinking about it this morning, I realized that my goals haven’t really changed from last year. A lot of them are long-term goals that are continuing into 2014. The good thing is that I can look back and see the process from where I was in January of 2013. I feel like I’m one step closer on my journey to accomplish all of my goals. Here are some of the goals & milestones I’m working on this year:

Career: I once had a mentor who told me you should never do the same thing for more than two years. I've been in the same role at my company since February 2011. We are quickly approaching the three year mark, but I’m cutting myself some slack since during that three year period, I transferred to our Pittsburgh office (which was definitely a change!). I've been talking to my boss about where I want to focus on my career and I’m hoping that I can make some changes in 2014. It’s time for a new project, a new challenge, and a new opportunity.

Education: I just started semester 4 of 6 in the MBA program at Duquesne University. I’m on track to graduate this December and my goal is to finish strong. “Christmas Break” (can you call it that if you still have to work 5 days a week?) could not have come at a better time. I was feeling a bit burnt out at the end of last semester, but felt refreshed when classes started last week. One of my goals for education this year is to find a better balance of school work, work, and a personal life…I really struggled with this one last year, so send me some helpful hints!

Health: I am a pretty healthy person in general, but there are definitely some areas I can work on. Eating healthy is the biggest area where there is room for improvement. My goals for 2014 are to shop healthier, cook more, and stop snacking as much in the evening (or maybe just to snack healthier in the evening), and drink more water. I started using MyFitnessPal.com to log everything I’m eating. It's awesome because I can access my log from the computer, my phone, and my iPad to keep track during the day. It has definitely been eye opening these last two weeks!

Fitness: Continuing on from eating healthy is the fitness goal. Moving to Pittsburgh and starting grad school put a huge damper on my running in 2013. This year, I've already signed up for a 10K and a half marathon in the Spring. Knowing what my work/school schedule looks like, I had to set a realistic plan of running three days a week. It’s tough reminding myself that I’m training not to PR these races, but to keep myself in shape slowly build back up to where I was at in 2012.

A couple that sweats together........eats lots of FroYo together

Those are just a few of the big ones for this year. I’m pretty excited to see what all this year brings. 

What are your goals for 2014?

Running Adventure, Chicken Pot Pie, and Pumpkin filled Crescent Rolls

I've been slacking on one of my goals for this semester. I have tons of half written blog posts in my notebook, but I've been struggling to get them posted. I’ll keep working on it. I am really proud of myself for keeping up with my workout schedule. Most of my runs were on the treadmill last month so I was super excited when Justin suggested we run through downtown this week.

We started our running adventure in Station Square near the Duquesne Incline.

 We ran across the Fort Pitt bridge and through Point State Park. 

There is currently a 40ft duck floating in the river by the point so we had to stop and get our picture taken with it…It’s not every day you get to see a 40ft duck!

From the point we ran across the Fort Duquesne bridge and down to PNC Park. The lights were on and someone told us the Reds were in there for batting practice. We walked around the entire stadium and weren't able to catch a glimpse of Joey Votto. Sad Day.

After we left PNC Park, we ran down to Heinz Field. I think they play football there or something.

From Heinz Field we retraced our steps across both bridges and hit the 4 mile mark. We stopped to enjoy the view and then walked the last little bit to the car while figuring out what we wanted for dinner.

We (and by we, I mean Justin) made a homemade Chicken Pot Pie. It took longer than expected to make and we were STARVING when it came out of the oven. It was definitely worth the wait. It is the most delicious pot pie I have ever eaten. Stay tuned for the recipe :)

I needed something sweet after the savory pot pie so I whipped up some pumpkin filled crescent rolls. In case it’s not obvious from my Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts, I’m a tad obsessed with pumpkin so these really hit the spot.

What’s your favorite pumpkin recipe? 

Any Pittsburgh runners reading? What’s your favorite downtown route? 

Copycat & Perfect Timing

The new trend on the blogs I read is posting a weekly workout recap. I have every intention of being a copycat because I think it’s a wonderful idea. It’s a great way for me to keep track of my workouts and hold myself accountable to keep up with my workouts.

A few notes:

• I was a bit of a slacker last week. I had class three days and I skipped my run on Friday to go to Happy Hour.
• I've been trying to include arms in my workout rotation this month, but don't really know what I'm doing

Monday

Since it was Labor Day, I could run in the morning which is my favorite time to run!

4 mile run in 39:00 flat

Bicep curls

Tricep dips

Lateral raises

1:00 plank

Saturday

3 mile run

Sunday

5 mile run in 47:54 (2013 PR!)

Bicep curls

Tricep dips

Lateral raises

1:00 plank

I've been struggling with figuring out the best way to keep up with running this semester while juggling everything else. It's really been bumming me out. Last Sunday (perfect timing), Janae posted this article, Maximize Your Training,  and it was exactly what I needed to get out of my funk. While my goal isn't necessarily to run fast on limited miles, it is to run on limited miles. Since I only have 4 days a week, I want to make those 4 days count.

Goals for this week:

• Run all 4 days – don’t skip Friday!
• Figure out how to fit in a small workout (or some kind of physical activity) on days that I have l class. I’m thinking of walking on my lunch hour on Tuesday & Thursday. I hate running at lunch, but I can definitely fit in a 2-3 mile walk and still have time to eat. 

I’m hitting my 15 day mark this week and I think I want yurbuds.

Does anybody out there own a pair?

Are they worth the investment?

Chuck's 5K & I've got some work to do

First things first – Happy Labor Day! I spent the morning doing homework and will be spending the afternoon the same way. I really hope you are doing something more exciting!!

I’m two weeks late with this post, but hey, better late than never. I ran my first race of the year on August 17^th – Chuck’s 5K. My friend Chuck puts on the race and it benefits my high school team, the one I ran on and the one I coached for three years. It was good to be back running with my running community. I had forgotten that feeling of being surrounded by hundreds of your closest friends.

I wore my new green shorts and looked like a watermelon

Justin was still training for his triathlon at that point, so he made the race a brick workout. While he was on his 18 mile bike ride, I was catching up with friends and did a quick half mile warm up.

I LOVE RACING

The adrenaline when the gun goes off, the thrill of passing the person in front of you, knowing at mile 2.5 that you have just enough strength left for a kick….I LOVE RACING.

Post-race "we're so awesome" picture

I ran WAY faster than I expected. I was planning on a 9:00 pace and taking it easy. It turns out running with my friends motivated me.

Chuck's 5K Splits
Mile 1: 8:04

Mile 2: 8:42

Mile 3: 8:25

.1:       0:46

Time: 25:57 – my fastest 5K of the year! The first mile has a lot of downhill and was pretty fast in general. Mile 2 has all of the hills. I also recognized that 8:04 was waaaay too fast so I slowed it down. I rarely have a kick, but when I turned the last corner and saw the time on the clock, I found that kick. I wanted to break 26:00 so bad, and I did!

The race is known for unusual awards..monkey's in a barrel this year!

I was 11^th place for women (there were no age group awards) and Justin was 21^st for the guys. I can’t remember his time, but even after getting off the bike, he ran faster than he thought he would. It was a good running day for both of us.

I don’t have another race on the calendar until November. It’s a 5 Miler on Thanksgiving and I have a big goal: I have to place in the Top 500. This will be my 11^th year running this race (and Justin's first year!). The Top 500 finishers get their name on the back of the T-shirt and I would hate to break that tradition. Last year I was 176^th with a time of 38:31. To make the Top 500, I have to beat last year’s 500th place time of 46:06. I ran 5 miles yesterday in 49:46…I have some work to do before November :)

Back At It

This week marked the start of the Fall Semester and for some crazy reason I decided to take 3 classes again (actually, it’s not a crazy reason – I want to graduate ASAP!). I survived taking 3 classes in the summer, but that was just 8 weeks. Luckily, this is the last semester I have to take 3 classes…only 13 weeks to go.

I’m really excited about this semester. What am I taking? Well, I’m glad you asked!  

Marketing Management

Did someone say marketing plans? I do this for a living…if I fail the class, I’m in trouble :)

Consumer Behavior

Individual consumer? I shop all. of. the. time. I wonder if we can get extra credit for shopping? That would be a really good excuse to shop every day now through December…

Public Affairs Management

I don't have a witty comment for this one...help me out people!

I have a few goals for Fall Semester, outside of the classroom.

The first goal is to keep up with my workouts. Since I started grad school in January, it’s been a struggle to fit in runs between work, class, and sleep. This semester I have a plan. It’s in writing – in pen, even – so I have to stick to it. I only have class 3 days a week, which means I should definitely be running or doing some workout on the other 4 days. I’ll do my best to post recaps on the blog (see goal 2) so that you all can keep me accountable!

The second goal is to keep up with the blog. I barely blogged at all during the spring and summer semesters. I’m going to blame it on the whole “move to a new city, attempt to survive 14 hour work/class days” thing. Blogging is a good outlet/stress reliever for me so I am going to try to make time to write during the week.

The third goal is to keep my apartment from looking like it is constantly in battle with a tornado. Last semester it was shoes, clothes, books, papers EVERYWHERE. This is the least likely of the three goals that I will actually achieve because, let’s be honest, if I have to pick, running and blogging trump cleaning any day. 

Now, for all of my readers: YOUR GOAL is to help meet achieve all of my goals! Hold me responsible when I skip workouts, calm me down when I get stressed out, and remind me to do laundry every once in a while....seriously...that last one is important!

Any readers out there working on their MBA or other graduate degree?

What's your best tip for staying organized?