TOTR: 2018 Goals and Bling

By | December 17, 2018

I really love Tuesdays on the Run in general, and the look back at 2018 medals in particular. I was sad to miss it, so combining it with this week’s prompt of looking back on 2018 goals. I was also sad to learn that this linkup is wrapping up as there have been some really fun prompts in the ~six-nine months I’ve been reading it. When I saw that I was doubly glad I managed to get this one done.

Linking up with: Erika at MCM Mama, Marcia at Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and Patty at No Guilt Life.

My 2018 goals were all over the place and one goal as I lay out 2019 I know I need to simplify. For the purposes of this post, I’m looking at them through the lens of the medal races. This is in date order for simplicity, but there is no ranking of these medals – I’m proud of every single one.

Medals, bibs, books and coffee

January: Fred Lebow Manhattan Half Marathon

Engraved medal

Actually, I lie. This will probably always be my favorite medal. It isn’t the most photogenic, or my first. But it represented so much. It made me a HALF MARATHONER! The race it represented wasn’t even explicitly mentioned in my goals because I was so afraid of failure even though my blogging audience at that point was myself and Liz. I know why I didn’t make it Facebook official until after the race and didn’t even tell my closest friends & family until morning of, but not sure why I was so blog shy. I’m doing this race again in about a month and am cautiously excited. I want to enjoy it without the stress of OMG, First Half, but I know I’m once again undertrained.

February: A1A Fort Lauderdale Half Marathon

I <3 this medal. Has now joined the others

Funny, I went to take a photo of this medal before realizing I had all of these in my blog posts and I did not have the same reaction as I do in the caption, which copied over from my race recap. One of the reasons the A1A (Half) Marathon is so popular is the medals, and I find them just meh. It doesn’t excite me.

The race was fun, and like Lebow I’m repeating it in 2019. How can you dislike running along the oceanfront for sunrise? I actually had a worse time than I did in Lebow because Florida humidity led to a lot of walking. I don’t have a set goal for this one yet beyond avoiding gel-induced nausea.

April: CUCB Cherry Blossom 10M

Cheese ball! So glad for the heat wrap

This was interesting. The medal and tech shirt were ala carte purchases and the medal further had an option to have a strip sent with your time. I did that, but would probably skip that in the future as the excitement of it wore off by the time it came. This race was fun, beautiful and one I’ll probably do again but not in 2019 as I’m spending race funds on some other races/destinations and DC is expensive during Cherry Blossom season.

In some ways, I see this Expo moment as an unofficial medal for the weekend

Book plate! “Believe and achieve!”

 

There’s a reason I tucked this into the front of my bib holder. That used to be chronological, but Lebow went to the front and I can’t see much of anything ever going in front of that bib. Although I didn’t love her book as much as I thought I might, listening to her speak at the Expo and later at an NYRR event and while waiting to have my Brooklyn Half medal engraved is really inspiring. And this quote, so true! I believed I could run a Half and I did. Three times.

May: Brooklyn Half

medal back and front

Oh this race. Cold, wet, fun! A major PR. Another oceanfront finish although race day was far from a beach day. Popular is an appropriate sponsor given how quickly this Half sells out. Although I’m not sure about running it again in 2019 due to schedule, I’ll definitely do it again in the future. It’s one of the NYC ones I highly recommend as it’s a nice course, good time of the year.

June: Women’s Mini 10K, Queens 10K

Grandma always asked, “What, do you want a medal?” “Yes. Yes I do”

I didn’t love the race, but I love the medal

Two races I did not love, even though I know without a doubt I’ll do the Women’s Mini again in 2019. Queens was colored by the fact that I was getting sick, but I really struggled during the Mini. There is something about the 10K race distance even though it’s a distance I enjoy running in training. I do love the Queens 10K medal and really all of the Four of Six ones celebrate wonderful elements of NYC/NYRR. I really think a goal for the 2019 Mini is to run the course in that direction in practice to handle the disorientation element of it.

September: Bronx 10M

Best finish ever

4/6 Five Borough Series

Since I didn’t do the Staten Island Half, September/Bronx 10 M marked my completion of the 4/6 race series. I look forward to adding to this collection with the 2019 NYC Half medal as these medals earned me that entry. I’ve talked about the Bronx 10 in depth. In hindsight I don’t know that I’ve softened enough to want to repeat this race, but I think time may heal pride wounds.

On Goals

So I didn’t hit my A goal of 780 and won’t hit my B goal of 700, but pleased with my running goals. I’m still way ahead of my 2017 totals and have grown as a runner.

I really liked something Kara Goucher said on Morning Shakeout about not letting go of goals, but not letting goals define happiness. It is so true. Stopping worrying about minutiae made me a lot happier and I’d say I met my goals, even if I didn’t, If that makes sense. I’m a better runner than I was a year ago, even if I still haven’t run a sub 30 5K.

In Closing

2018 has been a hell of a year. I’m really proud of myself and the runner I have become. I look forward to seeing what 2019 brings.

Enjoy the Journey

I have been… and I will.

26 thoughts on “TOTR: 2018 Goals and Bling

  1. Liz Dexter

    I’m glad you’re proud of your achievements, you’ve done beautifully well, and those mileage things don’t matter as much as the strength and joy and tenaciousness gained. I’ve loved being your audience of one and then seeing it grow and having you on the weekly wrap at weekends with me when I was worried about blogging about running myself. Onward and upward and let’s hope one day I get to do a race with you over there!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yes, hopefully sooner rather than later. Or we find a 3rd city to run in because destination races!
      Thank you for being awesome cheerleader

      Reply
  2. Wendy

    Look at the year you’ve had!!! It’s been fun getting to know you through your blog and following your NYC adventures. You make me want to run the boroughs and I’m not even a New Yorker! I’m looking forward to seeing what 2019 brings for you.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Likewise! So glad our paths cross and looking forward to learning more from this great group of people in 2019. And stealing reading ideas from you
      You should absolutely run New York at least once. Even if not an organized race. It’s just… Magic

      Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Mantrabands or Gone for a Run, I think. They have so many awesome ones that fit little wrists

      Reply
  3. Laurie

    Wow! 2018 was a stellar year for you! Lots of fun races. I love Kara Goucher’s idea too. It’s good to have goals, but external goals (some of which we have no control over) should not define our happiness. On to 2019!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Not sure if you’ve read her book yet or not, but while my initial take was “too much pink/woo”, but hearing her talk about it made it grow on me.

      Reply
  4. kookyrunner

    Loving all of your bling from this year! You’ve done a lot of awesome races. Isn’t it nice to look back on all the bling and remember all the good and bad from those races? Running is definitely a journey!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      It really is! IN some ways it’s an overall race recap
      Such a fun journey
      Hope to meet you at a 2019 race

      Reply
  5. Chocolaterunsjudy

    I like to set goals (obviously). I like to work towards them and I do take training seriously. However, I’m also well aware that things happen in races, often beyond our control (I’m looking at you crazy weather!), so it’s best to love the process (see how I snuck that in?).

    Here’s to a great 2019!

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      I think my 2019 goals need to stay as top level bullets. Otherwise it’s just too much to manage. But yes, weather is such a crazy factor especially in the north east

      Reply
      1. Chocolaterunsjudy

        Well, you do need to have those small steps to make sure you get those top level bullets. Just sayin’.

        I get where you’re coming from though. I don’t know how people train for long distances and work at the same time!

        Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Likewise. So many amazing people
      do it!
      And Iowa is on my bucket list for Field of Dreams so maybe a racecation would work out too

      Reply
  6. Darlene

    I didn’t tell anyone about my first half either. You’ve come so far. I think you’ve had an awesome year. I don’t set goals because then I look at them, am I supposed to feel sad if I don’t meet them. When in fact it doesn’t matter. If I run and am healthy, it’s a win win. Plus I have gotten to know and meet so many inspiring people. And you are one of them. See you later.

    Reply
    1. cari Post author

      Yep, I had a year when I first joined the #GoTheDist challenge that I realized my goals were out of reach and I quit. That was not productive. I soon learned to set them so they’d require some extra bush, but not be so out of reach they were demoralizing. Since then the only time it has bothered me if I didn’t make it was if I was so close that I should have. Like less than a mile.
      And wholly agree re: people, so glad work has you in my world so often.

      Reply
  7. Melissa

    Wow- that is some great bling! You had a really good year. And a great attitude- I love what you shared about Kara Boucher (and I love her). Great reminder!

    Reply

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