New Year's Resolve

St. Anthony's Retreat Center, Three Rivers, CA

A new year is dawning...in five days to be exact. 


I love new beginnings and beginning new things. I especially love beginning something new on the first of something. First day of the week. First day of the month. And the big whopper...first day of a new year.


This only comes around, well, once a year...so I want to get this right. I know that there is virtually no difference beginning something on the second of January than the first, but they don't call it Day After New Year's Resolution for a reason. 


Another thing to know about me is that I love overcoming challenges. I'm not the type to make or keep resolutions that are vague or unmeasurable, like be healthy, be nice, help others. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't plan on drowning my 2011 woes in chocolate, letting my inner-grouch rule, or start tripping old ladies crossing the street. I do want to be healthier, nicer, and more helpful in 2011, but I also want something more specific to pursue.


I want to approach 2011 with some resolve, literally. To come to a definite or earnest decision about something. Resolve. To be determined to do something. Resolve. That's what I've got.

A few days ago I got an email from Rob about running races in 2011. Among the 5k's, 10k's and half marathons, there was a full marathon on Dec 4, 2011. 


While I plan on running the 10k and two half marathon's next year, it's the full marathon that jumped out at me. I like that it's in December, giving me a full year to train. I like that it's a huge stinking goal that's on my bucket list. Finally, I like that I can begin training on January 1, 2011.


So, I've resolved that I want to run a full marathon in 2011. 


My hope in doing so is that I will become stronger, both physically and mentally, become a better runner, and maybe somehow I'll become healthier, nicer, and a more helpful person in the process.