So I Ran A Race....

Yep, you read that correctly.

Let me backtrack.  So my company signed up for the Chase Corporate Challenge, which is a 3.5 mile race.  Of course, we were all encouraged, but not obligated, to participate.  I could have easily said no.  But so many others were doing it, including friends of mine who work for other companies.  Ah, peer pressure.

Anyhow.  On one hand, I like to think I'm in pretty decent shape and live an active lifestyle, but something about being good at running has always eluded me.  Now, granted, for this race, all that was required was participating, but a small part of me secretly wanted to do well.  I'm not sure why.  I was convinced, in my mind, with a little discipline & consistentcy, I could do decently.

So, in short - I made a point of running at least twice a week - somewhere between 2-5 miles.  I didn't really concentrate on speed at all; I just tried my best to run the entire time.  The first couple runs were rough; after that, I quickly got in a habit and was able to get on a pace and stay on it comfortably.

Come race day, I achieved my goal.  I finished the 3.5 miles in 34:48, with a pace of 9:57/mile.  I finished in the middle of the pack of my coworkers (and, most likely, somewhere around the middle amongst all the participants).  Most importantly, I ran the entire time and felt good (not close to death) at the end of it.

What I took away from this (in lieu of some cheesy comment along the lines of 'you can do anything you put your mind to') - it felt good to be working towards a goal.  Now, don't get me wrong, I have plenty of things in my life that are a challenge for me (my job, dance class, maintaining this blog, etc.) however, sometimes it feels really good to be working towards one specific goal (and then accomplishing it).  I think, in adulthood, after we're out of school, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and not be working towards 'something' specifically.

I think I will write some goals for myself.  How about you, readers?  Do you have specific goals you are working toward?

Putting A Goal Down In Writing

So, the other day, I was having a conversation with someone where it was addressed that it helps to publicly tell people about a goal as a means of a) being more committed to it and b) having others help keep one in check and lend support.

Anyhow.  With no further ado.

One of my goals is to have a good side tilt.  It's a dance move.  It's pictured above.  Mine right now is REALLY not good.  Especially for my flexibility.  I know this is something that is going to take time, training, and patience.  The main reason I don't have it is I haven't put the time into training it yet.  And, as an adult, sometimes it's easy to just let these things go and accept defeat on some things.

Hence, me creating this blog post.  My goal is to, by the end of October/early November, have a side tilt much like this dude in this picture.   I will post an 'after' photo.  The before picture is too embarrassing.

Please help keep me in check, dear readers.

Goals For 2012

So last year was a year of a lot of changes for me.  I went in with some goals, as I outlined in some previous posts.

Anyhow. They saying putting one's goals down in writing and/or telling people about one's goals makes her more likely to achieve them because it makes them seem more definite.  That, and there's the fear of public failure.  Other people knowing and, mayhaps, 'watching' one will better keep that person in check.  Kind of like having a weight-loss buddy.  Or something like that.

Anyhow.

My goal for 2012....

I have a short story that needs to be written.  I've dragged my feet on doing so for a very long time.  By the end of 2012, I should have a hard draft done.

There you go.

Keep me in check.

Hopefully this goes better than my promises to blog more.

Getting off to the Right Start

I just downloaded the blogger for iPhone app. I am not sure how good the app is, but at least I am attempting to be a woman of my word.   This will, hopefully, help in my quest to be a better blogger.  

My Goal....

More public followers.

Please help me make this happen. If you like what you read, sign up! Or, even, if you just plain read.

Please.

The Stalking Resumes....

Apparently, the Chicago Dianetics Center knows about my book goal for the new year and would like to get one of their titles on my 'to read' list:

Subject Line: Here is a book that does what you don't expect a book to do

It tells you HOW. It tells you the basis of things, and the most basic of
things is life itself. This then is a book about life.

THE PROBLEMS OF WORK

By L. Ron Hubbard

Just get it, read it, try it, and you'll never be the same again.

Call 847-824-62** for your copy today.

DO IT TODAY

The Secret - Revisited

Ok, so two good friends brought up the subject of the book "The Secret" this past week.  I OBVIOUSLY can't resist revisiting it.

Ok, so I have some definite problems with the book/way of thinking, which I have outlined before in multiple posts, I know.  However, to summarize briefly - I have three main problems with the book.  1)  The notion that an individual has that level of control over one's own life.  2)  The absurd, arbitrary, ridiculous suggestions it makes as realistic steps toward achieving one's goals (i.e.  writing fake checks to oneself at a time one wants to better her own financial situation).  3)  The notion that the above suggestions actually work.  

I won't get into it any further.  I already have more than enough.  

Also, a several good friends have mentioned to me they've heard critiques similar to mine from various other sources - such as radio commentators, Amazon reviews, etc.  So my campaign is working.   I guess a combination of a couple things happened:  1)  People who think 'The Secret' is a load of crap got the courage to speak up and come forward.  2)  People who originally bought into 'The Secret' have reconsidered and reanalyzed the situation.  3)  People tried 'The Secret' and it didn't work (look at the general state of the country SINCE 'The Secret' has been on the bestseller list.  I rest my case.)

However - there is something I agree with about The Secret.  I agree with the idea of envisioning the life you want.  I agree with the notion that actually believing something can happen for you is an important step toward the goal.  So maybe I will take that away from this book for 2009; everything happens for a reason, and I didn't waste a couple hours of my life reading this book for nothing.  :)

Makin' Some Resolutions

I remember back in high school, I had a teacher who insisted all good goals were specific, achievable and measurable.  He also felt it was ok to tell a group of high school students that his ideal spring break consisted of him locking himself away alone in his basement with his favorite illegal substances.  But anyhow.  I think he was on to something with the first point.

For example, last new year, I made the resolution to start working out with hand weights.  There were some points when I did, indeed, work out with these hand weights, but it was very sporadic.  There were sometimes I did a good couple times a week.  Also though, there were some points I probably went a whole month without doing exercises once.   I wouldn't consider this a great success.

However, technically my goal was do start doing exercises with hand weights.  Technically, I did.  Since the prior year, I had done these exercises a grand total of 0 times, it was an improvement.  

My book goal (reading 16) fits the above discussed criteria pretty well.   It is challenging and it is easy for me to see if I am on track.  Since I decided I am celebrating New Year's full out, I have decided to make at least five resolutions/goals.  (Maybe the resolution to make the resolutions can count as one, because the goal fits the criteria.)

Anyhow, I'm rambling.  This year, I made my goal to be doing weight workouts twice a week and ten push-ups twice a week - it's not a huge move but it's something I'm not currently doing,  and I'll know if I'm on track for or not.  Now for at least three (well, I guess maybe two) more resolutions....

Goals

Ok, I know I have raised several questions in the past about making new year's resolutions - however, one resolution I usually make it to read a certain number of books in the coming year (and I encourage others to make this goal as well - the number of books depends on the individual).  I do believe last January, a study came out that said one in four Americans did not read a single book the previous year.  

This past year, my goal was twelve books - I happened to luckily exceed it by one book.  Obviously, I should aim a little higher this coming year, but I don't want to overdo it.  However, I do want to challenge myself.   Hmm.    

(This reminds me that I am supposed to review my books from this past year - still working on that one.  Maybe a better resolution for me would be keeping my blog promises.)

What would be a good new goal?  Fifteen seems too small (I almost did that this year); eighteen a little too large.  Seventeen is too odd of a number - I don't like it.  Maybe I'll go for magic sweet 16.  

However, I am NOT at a shortage of reading material - I got seven new books and a Borders giftcard for Christmas.  That, and I have a large quantity on hand from the beloved Sun-Times booksale.   I have a ton of books that I am excited about reading, which is always good.   In fact, I started reading one of my new books (see above).  

My only problem is I'm almost a third of the way through it and I fear I may finish it before 2009, which cannot happen.   This book needs to be counted against 2009, NOT 2008.  I CANNOT have a budget surplus - that will only penalize me for the coming year.