Run-Down Forums

[whitney]

Just wanted to say happy new to everyone, hope it's a god one.

[whitney]

happy new year, I apologize for the typo... lol

[Micah Ward]

Happy New Year Whitney and everyone else.

Any one have any new year goals they are willing to go public with? How about:

1. Train injury free.
2. Lose 35 pounds!!!
3. Run 5K under 20:00

Whitney, I remember you posting as a beginner. Do you plan to race this year? If so keep us posted on your results and good luck.

Micah

[Dan]

Those are some pretty specific goals.

I don't believe I've ever made a New Year's resolution... I'm not sure why, but I view it differently from regular goal setting. My gut feeling is that, if you have to rely on a socially scheduled goal, you are setting yourself up for admitted failure before even beginning. Why set a goal in January and not in March? All it does is give people the excuse to put it off until January rolls around and then quickly break the promise to themselves because no one sticks to their New Year's resolutions...

On the other hand, if you set those same goals any ol' time of the year (which I believe you already have, Micah), then they are more internalized and meaninful to you, which would seem to indicate a much better chance of realizing their success.

Ok, I'll climb down from the soapbox now.

Dan

[whitney]

No racing for me, I dont think. All training.

[Micah Ward]

Dan, I think most people set goals or resolutions at New Years because the beginning of a new year tends to bring a certain amount of hope and optimism that things can be different and better. Maybe even a spirit of renewal. Kind of like being a Cub's fan every spring training.

Whitney, please don't rule out racing. It is a world of enjoyment and camaraderie that is hard to match. Please give it a try. You will find great support and encouragement whether you are the first or the last runner across the line. And at the end of almost every race there is something that is near and dear to my heart:

FREE FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dan]

I agree with the common reasons you listed for setting goals/resolutions this time of year. What I question is the effectiveness. I have no data to support this, but I would guess a much lower percentage of New Year's resolutions come to fruition than do similar goals made other times of the year. Not just the total number, but the percentage.

To me, most such resolutions are a way of saying, "I'm not strong enough mentally to do this on my own, so I'll rely on a socially acceptable gimmick to get me there and blame it (instead of myself) when I fail."

Dan

[Shaun Fox]

I agree with dan the time of year you set your goals, targets, aims should have no relevance choosing new year as a specific date to do this kind of adds pressure to sticking to the task in hand.

[Micah Ward]

I tend to agree that a lot of those New Years goals and resolutions fall by the wayside. What determines whether someone reachs their goals or not isn't the date on which they are set, but whether or not they have the "gumption" (as my grandfather would say) to do what is necessary to reach those goals. If you got the gumption then you will reach them whether you set them Jan 1, Mar 22 or Oct 8...if you ain't got the gumption then it's all just wishfull thinking.

Had a magical run yesterday. We had that rare and unusual combination of cold and precipitation in south Georgia that produces a coating of ice on the trees and bushes. Add to that some small snowflakes falling and whirling in the breeze and it was like running through the "winter wonderland". I know ya'll up north won't see anything special in that but it was unique for this part of the country. Now I have to decide if those were really snowflakes or frozen sand gnats.
Micah

[Dan]

[Micah Ward]

Sand gnats are very plentiful on the Georgia coast during spring and summer. They are too small to see but their bite can't be missed. Luckily I live just far enough inland that I am not bothered by them.

Trivia: The minor league baseball team in Savannah is called the Sand Gnats.

[Conway]

Well I don't know much about sand gnats, but my New Year started off with a new child (Jordan Renee) who was born on New Years day .. So now that she is home a fine I can get back to the topic of track and field !!! .. Hope everyone else has had a good holiday ....

[Dan]

Congratulations! I was curious why you hadn't been heard from for several days...

Dan

[Micah Ward]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!! Hope Mom and Jordan are doing well. No better way to start the year.

[Conway]

Thank you ... Everyone is doing fine .. So on to a great year of track and field ...