2012 - Looking Forward

Like a lot of you,  a new year gets me thinking about what I want to accomplish this year.  We often hear of resolutions, but to me a resolution has to do with something that we are determined to do.  It can have a negative connotation to it.  To me it sounds like something that we think we should be doing and by will power we will get it done.  I can get excited to do something and make a great start at it, but it's easy to start when enthusiasm is high, but when the adrenaline wears off, will power seems to wane.  The concept of  New Years goals seems more on how I am geared.  It is usually something that I want to do and it will help me in some way that I want.  Not just something that I should.  I won't lay out all of my goals here, but here are my health and activity challenges I want to at least start this year.

Seven Peaks Challenge

Mount Nebo (http://utahpictures.com/images/atlanta_salt_lake/smPB190101.jpg)

I live in Utah County.  Most of the population in the county lives in a geographic area called Utah Valley.  It is lined on the east by the Wasatch Range which is part of the Rocky Mountains.  We have a local resort called Seven Peaks.  I have been trying to find out what those seven peaks are that they refer to and finally found out which of the mountains are part of the "seven."  I have written several post about Mount Timpanogos and had my trash kicked by Cascade last year.  I knew that Lone Peak and Mount Nebo had to be part of it as well as Provo Peak.  I just wasn't sure what the last two would be.  I found out that they are Santaquin Peak and Spanish Fork Peak.  Mount Nebo is the highest at 11,928' and Spanish Fork Peak is the lowest at 10,192'.  At first I was going to make it a goal to climb all seven this summer, but I don't want to over reach here.  I have only been to the top of two of these (Timp and Cascade).  They are all a challenge to climb so I get to the top as many as I can this year and hopefully finish up next.

Ogden Marathon

Ogden Marathon

This is the granddaddy of all of my goals. My goal is to continue to train for this marathon to put myself in a position to finish my first marathon.  It still scares me a bit to think that I am already registered.  But with my other races that I have entered, I trusted my training plans and they all got me to the finish line.  I am still trying to decide which of three training plans I will follow.  I am building my base back up, but I need to make a decision soon because some of the marathon training plans kick in in a couple of more weeks.
One more thing about this marathon makes me nervous.  This statement on the website.

For safety reasons, runners that have not entered Ogden Canyon by 11:30am will be required to board the bus and be transported to the finish line - No Exceptions!

But then a quick calculation says that would be a 15.40 min / mile pace.  I would deserve to be taken off the course I guess.  More on my marathon goals and concerns in an upcoming blog.

Earn Those Stars Back (and then some).

I do not want to go back and do this all over again!

Michele left a comment last week that made me realize that my sidebar wasn't accurate any more.  About a year and a half ago, I made it to within 20 lbs of my goal weight.  Many factors including (surprisingly so) training for my first half marathon chipped away at that weight loss.  I need to update those stars by taking a couple away and working to fill them back in.  I will get that done by next week and make some definite plans on how I will get those stars back.  It is really hard for me (and for others I have talked to as well) not to eat more as the miles start increasing.  Sorry about not keeping that up to date.  I will think this through a bit more and post on my plans to make this a highlight this year.

How About You?
I have read some of your goals for this coming year.  Please comment on what some of your plans are for the year.  Let's make 2012 a great one!

Hang in there and I will too!