It is what it is

As 2009 draws to a close, I can't help but think about many of the things that I did not accomplish this year. It would be much more positive to focus on all of the accomplishments instead, but as Kate would say, that's how I roll. I am way too critical of myself. Perhaps writing this blog post will help me change that focus a little bit.

Most importantly though, it's been another wonderfully blessed year with my family. Taylor and I just had our 15th anniversary earlier this month and I still can't believe sometimes that I'm married to the man who has been my best friend since we were children in elementary school. He is truly my soulmate and there is no one else in this world I would rather share my life. Kate and Will are two incredible, unique, wonderful children. Sometimes it's difficult dealing with Kate's constant stream of talking and Will's never-ending motion, but watching them grow and mature is a blessing from God. My most sincere desire is to be the best wife and mother possible. Without a doubt, it's the most difficult job I have ever had but is also the most rewarding.

Since this blog was started primarily as a place to capture my feelings on this running lifestyle I'm trying to incorporate, I need to write a little about that. I'm still enjoying running but continue to be a little disappointed that I'm still so slow and don't have a lot of endurance. But after looking back at my running log, I can see that some progress has been made during the past 12 months. January, August and December are the best months out of the year with a little effort made in February - June, September and November. I didn't run any at all in July and only did the 10 miler at Medoc in October.

Realistically, I can't expect to make a whole lot of changes with that lack of consistency. On a positive note, I am close to hitting 200 miles for the year and should reach that mark. My average per time per mile is also faster now than it's been all year, so I need to focus on that progress. I'm still slow at a little under 12:00 miles now, but that's better than the 13:00 plus in January.

Well, that's enough for the past. Let's look ahead to 2010 and I'll put my resolutions on the 'net ...

• Lose weight: realistic goal is 20 pounds, so-happy-I-would-probably-pee-on-myself-goal is 40 pounds
• Total miles: run 400 miles before January 1, 2011
• Race different distances: complete at least one at each of the following distances - 5k, 10k, 10 miles and half-marathon

The key resolution of those three is the first one. Losing weight is going to make running much easier and much more fun.

I guess that's it for now as my lunch hour is over. I'll be back a little later ... perhaps with another resolution or two.