BUT…?

As we enter into 2018 we all begin the New Year with good intentions.  Many are making New Year’s resolutions.  Although, even with all these amazing intentions, I hate to break it to you, BUT the majority of you will break these New Year’s resolutions.  Many of you will break them within the first two weeks of 2018 and probably even more of you won’t even start the resolution you set out to keep.

If you have been following my blog, you know I celebrated each of my holidays here in Afghanistan with a themed group run.  New Year’s Eve was no exception.  We met up on New Year’s Eve day and ran a Resolution 5K.  I wore the pink dreadlocks I wore on my birthday run and some fantastic peacock leggings.  I really wanted to wear the leggings all day, and I would have had I been at home.  Peacock leggings just don’t match my 9MM very well.  This time when we finished our 5K we ate double-stuffed. I figured most people make resolutions to eat better so why not splurge one last time with a double-stuffed Oreo.  

The remainder of New Year’s Eve was low key.  I went to bed early and enjoyed a relaxing night.  For New Year’s Day we were given an additional low battle rhythm day (we don’t have to come in to work until after noon).  I spent the morning running and then went to a core class.  Before I went for my run I chatted with TJ and rung in the New Year with him via Facebook messenger.  It certainly is not the same as being there, but at least we were together even if it was virtually.  

As I was running on New Year’s Day, I started to think about resolutions, and I started to get angry.  How many times do we make a resolution and then say BUT.  I was going to start today, BUT.  I will start tomorrow, BUT.  Why does there always have to be a BUT?  Why can’t we just do what we say?  Better yet, why do these new beginnings and resolutions have to start on New Year’s Day?  Why didn’t you start last week?  What BUT did you tell yourself that kept you from starting at all?  I entered December with the goal to run 200 miles.  I set a goal, and it didn’t start on January 1st.  I know most of you know me as a runner, but I have never come close to running 200 miles in a month, ever!  I’ve coined myself as a low yet quality mileage runner.  I wanted to be able to say I ran 200 miles, even if it was only once.  At first I didn’t want to tell anyone what I was setting out to do.  An average of six and half miles a day is a lot.  BUT, I knew if I started talking about it, then I would feel an obligation to finish.  I created a tracker and logged my miles every day.  The tracker updated my new daily average needed to accomplish my goal.  The tracker and the accountability kept me on track.  Not only did I run 200 miles in December of 2017, I crushed it!  I ended up running 236 miles, which is an average of over seven and a half miles a day.  I know I won’t repeat next month.  My progress on the bike suffered due to the miles, but I will keep my mileage well over 100, probably closer to 150.

2018 is the year of my Ironman.  I started the year with a solid run and registering for a race.  As part of training I decided I should complete a 70.3 Ironman.  Unfortunately the one closest to home, Racine, was discontinued.  After some research the only one close enough and after I come home is in Ohio.  I registered for the 70.3 Ironman in Delaware, Ohio on July 29th.  After registering I felt a little more confident in my ability to complete my full Ironman this coming October.  I know my training is on point, but it will be great to participate in an actual Ironman sponsored event prior to the big event.  We will make a little family trip of it, and there is a kid’s race the day before, so of course Timyra will be running!

I want to leave you all with one simple message for 2018, stop saying BUT!  Whatever the BUT is you are using as an excuse, stop.  It is ok to start any day.  Do yourself a favor and start right now!