Goals and Commitments

My New Year’s Commitment for 2014 was to run 1,000 miles. As of October 22nd I have achieved 880 running miles. With all of November and December to go, plus another week left in October, I’m confident that I will be able to achieve my goal of 1,000 miles.

This week I saw Dave McGillivray speak. He said that he likes to set goals and keep checking them off. The list never goes away it just keeps changing as goals are accomplished and new goals are set.

The 505Ksat50 project

The day I turned 50 I went out for an 8 mile run at lunch time. What a gift to my self. It felt great and it made me feel great to be turning 50. Several times during that day people at work asked what I was going to do for my birthday. I told them I gave my self a run for my birthday.

I also told them that the BAA gave me 5 extra minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. What a day! They were thinking more along the lines of a lavish dinner or something.

50 is a big deal and it isn’t. I have to keep reminding my self that I just turned 50 and not 40. I feel 40. I probably look 50.

50 is a big deal because I am half-way to my goal. I want to live to be 100. I know that’s a big goal, but why not? I think it’s a great goal. Maybe I’ll only make it to 90 or 95. That’s still pretty good.

To celebrate turning 50 and to help me towards my ultimate goal in life, I decided to do something running related. Why not?

For 2014 I committed to 1,000 miles. I knew I couldn’t do 50,000 miles or even 5,000 miles.

I decided that my new goal is to run 50 5Ks before I turn 51. My hash tag is #505Ksat50. Gotta have a hash tag these days.

Simple math indicates that I need to run one 5K almost every week of the next year. In the six weeks since I turned 50, I’ve run 3 5Ks. I’m running behind already. Par for the course!

I’ve signed up for three more 5Ks over five weeks, and it looks like I need to find a few more.

An Extra Twist

My little business (Omni Running) features medals for first time 5K runners. I’m selling medals at two 5K races that I have run in the past. If I’m running my table and putting medals around runner’s necks at the race, I can’t very well also run the race.

I know that there are people out there who have never run a 5K before who can run one faster than me. I can’t have them waiting at the finish line for me.

If my business continues to grow it may be very challenging to get in my 50 5Ks. Accomplishing both goals this year will be the real challenge.

Run well my friends,

Andy