Tag: running goals

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Reflections on My 1,000 KM Running Goal: Lessons and Adjustments

Written December 15, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

So, I checked my progress toward my 1,000 km running goal again to ensure I wasn’t wrong the other day. I reconfirmed that I will reach my goals within this year. All I need to do is do another round of 10k runs. 

While checking my logs, I analyzed why my total distance run was much lower than the prior year. After all, I aimed for 25k per week, so I should have hit 1300k. Then, I realized I started using this app on February 23, 2024. Then, we went on a vacation. Missing nearly 2 months makes a massive difference in the distance, approximately 200 km.

Additionally, before I adopted my early morning running schedule during the hot summer, there were days when I skipped running due to the heat. I figured out how to deal with the summer heat in Tennessee, and it will be good for next year. Some days, I shortened my 10k runs to only 5k due to excess heat.

Since I know I ran during January and early February, I suspect I have already run over 1000 kilometers this year. However, since I’m using my app as my official record, I still want to get those numbers to meet my goal.

Why am I doing this? My wife calls it variance analysis. Variance analysis analyzes the GAP between goals and the prior year. It helps me create realistic goals. During 2024, I learned many things, such as switching my running schedule to extreme weather. 

I will shave off 1 minute from a 5km run for the following year. I am considering mixing my run with long and short runs to improve my speed.

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Pushing Through Challenges: My Journey to 1000 Kilometers

Written December 13, 2024

reviewed 12/21

Hello Dear Readers,

It has nearly ended with my last-minute goal adjustments. The change was in effect only for one month, but it was more challenging than I initially thought. 

We are having chilly weather, which is my biggest obstacle these days. Seriously, running 10 km can be daunting. I don’t even remember how I managed it since I used to do it regularly last year. , even though

Today is chilly, so every breath hurts my nose as if I were eating horseradish or Wasabi. I don’t mind this type of nose shock when eating delicious food, but it is not as pleasant when trying to run 10 kilometers. Despite the chilly temperatures, I succeeded in completing my scheduled 10-kilometer run.

At this point,  I think I’ll only need to do one more week of 10km to achieve my 1000-kilometer goal for the year. I’m glad that I’ve already completed my speed goal for the year since I find it very difficult to run faster when I’m pacing myself for a 10k. Once I complete this goal, I will accomplish one or two. 

My general plan is to try for speed again next year and shave a minute off my time for a 5-kilometer run. It was difficult to shave off 1 minute this year, so I expected it would be difficult again. I am also considering doing more 10-kilometer runs than this year. A regular 10-kilometer run will help me increase my lung capacity. I will consult with my body and log all I can do. 

Before I had a brain stroke, the first year I started dating my wife, she introduced me to running. I was never a runner, but my wife introduced me to the Couch to 5k program. By the end of the program, I learned to jog 5k. Then, my sister started doing the Couch to 5k program. I stopped running, though.

This was my 2nd attempt at developing a serious running habit. I know how not to complete my running goals. While learning how to run in my 2nd effort, I realized something more substantial: consistency and persistence with your decisions. Don’t be a perfectionist when it comes to your goals. If you fail at doing it a day, return to it the next day. If you don’t do very well, then adjust your goal. Just be consistent with the goal. Even with some improvement, it can be significant after several years. 

I will consult my running with my wife and a friend to see if it makes sense or get their advice. For now, I will be happy that I am about to complete my 2nd running goal for the year.

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Chasing Milestones: How Running Transformed My Life and Goals

Written December 11, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Since I adjusted my running goal for the year, I’ve increased my routine running to 10k. We had cold weather for several days, and it’s taking a bit of extra motivation to start my regular run. On a day like this, my 10k can seem more daunting.

Here is a thing: I am within 100 km of my 1,000 km run goal for 2024. If I follow this schedule this week and next, I will reach the goal even if I switch to 5k again for the rest of the year. As the goal is near, I’m pretty confident in achieving it.

Since 2024 is nearly over, I must set my goal for 2025. I don’t think I will drastically change my goals, though. I just want to make 2025 a little better than 2024. Since 2024 is almost over, I will need to think about it before the end of the year. Fortunately, I also have a friend who runs, and I will ask him whether my goal makes sense.

Achieving goals makes me feel good, mainly because I must invest hard in them. My goal is an endless journey. I will never stop working out. I never thought I would be committed to running when I started it. I even used to tell my wife that I ran for her. However, I know she seemed to get disturbed by those comments. Things changed once I started. My wife gave me the proper running equipment because I initially ran with an everyday shoe. I still remember how much better running is with a proper pair of shoes. I was still running for my wife. I don’t know when, but the running goals became mine. I improved my running much better once I internalized the running goals. 

When I started to see the difference between myself, I understood the importance of setting goals. You will only reach your goals if you want them to be achieved. My wife likes to go on adventurous adventures, like hiking in the Grand Canyon or exploring nature in Key West. I hiked well when we went to the Grand Canyon, thanks to all my running. I don’t think I have a healthy kidney anymore. But I want to maintain my health. We want to do many things, such as going to many other national parks in the United States. I want to enjoy such activities instead of getting tired from the adventure. Running helps me with that.

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Tweeked Around My Schedule To Achieve My Running Goal

Written December 1, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

When you have a strategic vision, it is vital to check your progress status. To reach my goal, I still need to run an extra 38 kilometers on top of my regular 25 kilometers weekly. So, I recalculated how close I was to achieving my goal to run 1,000 kilometers by the end of the year. If I increase 8 of my runs to 10km over the next 4 weeks, I’ll make 1,000 km. However, that would mean running a 10k on Christmas day, which might not be possible.

My sister and mother plan to celebrate Christmas at my other sister’s house. They invited us as well, but my wife couldn’t take so many consecutive days off as she had to prepare for the upcoming year’s end. So it looks like we are going to spend our Christmas by ourselves. My sister will also be moving by the end of the year after returning from the trip. They may need our help. So, I don’t want to have a too tight schedule. 

After tweaking my goals, I concluded that I’ll need to increase all my runs this upcoming week and likely do so again the following week. My plan is still tight. I’ll need to recalculate my weekly progress and update my plans as more information becomes available.

I like it around this season, but it can be challenging, especially if you adjust the goal at the last minute like I did. My wife started to post book reviews on Goodreads. She started updating what she read in July this year. Since it was only 6 months left when she started, she wanted to read four big books, each containing over 1300 pages. So, she initially made the goal 50. She ended up adjusting to 60 in November. 

My wife has long-term goals and vision but adjusts her tactics and goals weekly. I’ve never done this as frequently as she does with her visions, but maybe that is why she generally completes whatever she decides. She also ditches something that does not work very well. She said that sometimes, you don’t know if the goal is feasible until you have tried it. If you have too many goals running simultaneously to the point you have no time, it is important to let some of them go, especially if the goal is not attainable due to a lack of resources. She tells me that she made a fair number of mistakes in the past by not letting go. 

I usually schedule my time according to priority. I consider running a high priority and will maximize my running time. Then, I get into trouble when higher priorities than running, like spending time with my family, pop up. I do not manage my schedule like my wife, but my method works for me. That is the most important thing about strategic management.

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Staying Positive on My Running Journey: Celebrating Small Wins

Written September 4, 2024

Hello Dear Readers,

Sometimes, reaching a target requires more effort than expected. Recently, I’ve been working diligently to increase my running pace, aiming to hit my 5km goal. I do not set unrealistic expectations for myself, but I believe in challenging my limits with monthly targets. I strive to improve each month, even by a small margin. Progress keeps me motivated and focused on my goals, no matter how incremental.

Today, I came within 5 seconds of my target pace, but I’m still falling short of where I want to be. Part of the struggle may be that I haven’t fully recovered from last weekend’s intense deck-building project. That physical exertion and my running routine have taken a toll on my body. Perhaps I’m pushing too hard. With compromised kidneys, my energy levels tend to dip quickly, and it doesn’t help that I’ve been struggling to maintain my protein intake. This lack of proper nutrition impacts my stamina and overall performance.

My wife often reminds me to ease up on myself and not let the numbers be a source of frustration. She’s right when she says that getting hung up on disappointing results can trigger people to lose motivation and give up. It’s easy to fall into the trap of obsessing over numbers and feeling like you’re not progressing fast enough. But I try not to rely on motivation alone, as it can be fleeting. I choose to look at it differently: being just 5 seconds off means I’m close, and with a little more effort, I can achieve that target on my next run.

Chasing after goals can be challenging, especially when progress feels slow or stagnant. There are moments when doubt creeps in, and I start questioning how long it will take to see the improvements I want. How much longer will my slow improvement continue? When those thoughts arise, I remind myself to shift my perspective and review my progress over a longer timeframe. In doing so, I can see that my pace is gradually improving. Although it’s not happening as quickly as I’d like, the improvement is there, and that’s what matters.

I’ve learned there’s no need for drastic course corrections. What I need is patience and persistence. My wife calls that discipline—and I couldn’t agree more. Discipline keeps me lacing up my shoes and heading out the door, even when the numbers aren’t where I want them to be. It’s about trusting the process and believing that consistent effort will eventually yield the results I’m aiming for.

While my running hasn’t been as smooth lately, I’m noticing improvements in other areas of my fitness journey. I’ve started incorporating daily stretching into my routine, and the results have been remarkable. My flexibility has increased dramatically compared to a month ago. I’m now able to perform stretches that were previously challenging for me. It’s a reminder that progress comes in many forms, even if it’s not always where we expect it.

Ultimately, it’s not just about reaching a specific pace or achieving a particular milestone. It’s about the overall journey of self-improvement, pushing through setbacks, and celebrating the small victories. Whether it’s a faster run or greater flexibility, every step forward counts. And with that mindset, I’ll keep moving forward, one run at a time.