2017: A Look at the Year Ahead
Happy weekend everyone! I hope everyone made it through the first week of January. I got hit by a flu, which was not how I wanted 2017 to start – but by overloading on every remedy I could get my hands on, I’m coming out the other side now.
At the end of 2016, I provided you with a wrap-up of my year. However, I wanted to do a separate post for looking at my goals and plans for 2017 – both in life and in running. I also needed to make that intentional break in my mind between the two.
A lot of substantial transitions happened in 2016 but I feel like I ended the year on a high note. Now I’m going into 2017 facing new challenges in running, but also in life. The beginning of this year has brought along with it a new job. While I look forward to the change, for me change can also be stressful and overwhelming. One thing I really worked on in the latter half of 2016 was letting go of the things I cannot control, and focusing on the things I can. I want this mindset to continue in 2017. To that end, I want to dive into some of the goals and plans I have for this year.
Goals for 2017
Stay Healthy: Firstly, I need to focus on overall, all round health. Although I started off the year with the flu which was a bit of a downer, I had ended off 2016 really setting myself up to be successful. I’m going to continue to the most part to follow a Whole30 style eating plan that I was doing for the last two months of 2016. This doesn’t work for everyone – but for me it has given me incredible energy and focus – not to mention dropping a few inches. Basically for me it was about getting back to cooking and eating whole, real foods. Staying healthy also includes doing everything I can to avoid injuries this year (which ties into the next goal). I can be a bit of what I call a “spiraler” – if something goes off track I spiral along with it. I had a bit of a fairly stressful last couple of months in 2016 and had some important decisions to make. Normally this is something that could derail me in other parts of my life (ie. healthy eating) – but I worked hard to stay focused and to the plan and ultimately it helped me get through that too.
Get Strong & Cross Train: This is another goal that I started to implement at the end of 2016 in our “off running season.” I signed up for a 6 week ‘Strength Training for Runners’ class taught by Michelle the Runner. In doing so, I felt pain in parts of my body that I have never felt before. It was great! So great in fact, I’ve signed up for another 6 week session starting on Monday. (If you are interested, click here). Along with that, I have started introducing weight training and getting in some spinning for cross training. In addition, I’m looking at other cross training – and fun things – including going for a skate, snowshoeing (if we have enough snow in Toronto) and more. In October with the help of my friend Vanessa, I purchased a new bike. I’m ready to become a cyclist in Toronto this spring – with very cautious baby steps that is. Any suggestions of cross training are welcome! All this and more needs to stay at the forefront this year with my running, because without it – I’m not going to be able achieve what I have set out to do ….
Mount Hood 50K, Oregon: This is the big one folks. My friend and regular running partner Vanessa and I made this official with our registrations on January 4. I am training for my first ULTRAMARATHON. And I am nervous! I have only completed 2 full marathons – so this feels like a fast leap, but I also feel ready to take it. My blog will follow the build up to this race. It takes place in early July – so I have a solid number of training months ahead of me.
Other Races: I have a number of other races I’ve already registered for and this list will continue to grow over the course of the year (see list on the right here). This includes: Chilly Half Marathon, Around the Bay 30K, Pittsburgh Marathon (probably), Niagara Women’s Half Marathon, B&O Yorkville 5K as well as purchasing a 5 Peaks Trail Racing Series Seasons Pass that includes 5 awesome trail races of varying lengths and locations. All my races leading up to Mount Hood will simply be training runs with some hardware – I’m not looking for any PBs here. The one exception to this may be the Chilly Half as suggested by my coach. After the 50K is over, then we will see what the fall racing season brings.
Supporting Friends: One of the things I really loved in 2016 was getting immersed in the running community. This year I want to continue that trend. In saying that, it’s not just about running races with your friends – but being there to support your friends even when you are not racing. I want to do more of that this year. As Michelle talked about in her recent blog post – lots of #BabesSupportingBabes … and of course, supporting the dudes too. So friends, what races are you doing? Under this also falls lots of fun runs with the community including JP's Team, RunTOBeer, and linking up with more Oiselle Runners.
Be a Race Ambassador: I have seen plenty of my friends be Race Ambassadors and Digital Champions for various races. My goal in 2017 is to do this at least once. It looks like lots of fun.
Do more creative stuff: As many of you have seen, I’ve dabbled around with some video making. I want to do a LOT more of that in 2017 around training and races. If anyone wants to work on any projects together, let me know! Along with that, I want to continue to expand this blog to follow my training, races, review some products and more. All in all, I want 2017 to be a consistent blogging year. Along with blogging and videos, there are some creative type endeavors I’ve been eyeing including taking another silversmithing course which I loved before.
Mindfulness and Embracing a Minimalist Approach: This is a change that has been on my mind for awhile now. I don’t really count myself as a huge consumer – but like anyone, I can get caught up and carried away when something strikes my fancy, or I’m having a down day. But if I’m being realistic, there is actually not one thing I can think of that I am in desperate need of right now. In fact, there are days when I am feeling bogged down by “stuff.” I want to make a conscious focus shift from “things” to “experiences,” and consciously consider what I value, and what adds value to my life.
Plan of attack: Through the month of January, I want to go through my apartment room by room and eliminate things I am not using/wearing etc. and donate them to charity. I will also draw up guidelines of things I am allowed to purchase (ie. new running shoes when required). I am going to attempt to stick to these guidelines throughout the year. I will check in every month and let you know how I am doing with this challenge and how this mental shift is taking place.
Don’t be a “Spiraler”: This does follow in the steps of being mindful. As I mentioned further up in this novel of a blog post – I can be a spiraler. One of my goals is to note when I feel like it’s happening, and make a conscious shift to push against it.
Let’s see what 2017 brings! Leave your comments below and let me know what your plans are for the coming year.
