tackling 2009

if you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it.

-emil zatopek

goals for 2009:

running

1. run 3 marathons. (i need to cross some states off!) florida is a given (disney, january) and i'm considering the tourist destination of north dakota (fargo, may) and something in the northeast (connecticut, rhode island, jersey) in october. since i won't have proper time to recover and train for boston '09 after disney, i'm holding off until 2010 since my november bq qualified me for '10 too.
2. sub-1:30 half (or better, of course). i'm hoping for a 1:35-1:38 at disney in january, and thinking about returning to south bend for the half this time (sunburst, june). hopefully i'll also pick up 2-3 other halves closer to home throughout the year as necessary to put a beating on my current pr.
3. sub-3:35 full. i shaved 17 minutes in '08, surely i can shave another 4-5 in '09.
4. pr in at least 3 distances.
   

health/fitness related

1. abs 2-3 times per week. *no exceptions!*
2. lose at least another 5 lbs (for 20lb total loss from my mar'08 fat weight).
3. truly avoid eating foods with soy. my ige levels were "3000+", apparently those test results max out at 3000 and doc said i could be at 9000 for all we know. i still cheat sometimes when tempted by delicious foods (or when eating out and i get frustrated by my limitations). the nuts and beans that i also can't eat aren't as hard to avoid since they aren't hidden in things.
4. yoga once per week. i should do something semi-active on my rest day anyway. i know i should probably do it often, but i need to be realistic. then, i can feel good about "overachieving".
   

non-running

1. pay off my car loan. provided i have no financial emergencies, this should be done by april-ish.
   
2. re-side my house and landscape the front yard so i don't look like the redneck neighbor anymore. i bought the house as a foreclosure and it has great potential, but currently no curb appeal because it's in serious need of a face lift.
3. spend more quality time with family and friends. after the events of Christmas '08, i'm appreciating time with the most important people in my life even more.