As the new year approaches I can’t help but think of where I’m currently at and what the future will hold. When the new calendar year rolls around I think it’s always important to do some reflecting on the previous year. A few things that I do is reflect on the different areas of my life and if I have grown in those individual areas as well as what good and challenging things that happened in the year. The areas in my life that I look into are: my faith, my marriage, my relationships with family and friends, my athletic goals, my job, daily habits, etc.
But for this blog post reflection, I will be writing more about my running. Specifically about what I accomplished in 2023 and what I hope to accomplish in 2024. Before going any further I have to note that when I do my goal setting and move forward with my goals I always do my best with keeping my hands open to God’s plans. When I do my goal setting I try and take time to spend time in prayer to partner with God to do what He wants to do through me. Further down in the blog post I will have my thoughts and goals about 2024. As a follower of Jesus my main goal is to continue to follow Him. Over the last few years I have learned and am still learning to have open hands to His path. With that being the case I know that the goals I have written down may not happen or not be in the timing I think. But I have learned at the end of the day if things don’t turn out the way I worked and hoped for ultimately it is ok. I have the most important thing firm in my life, and that is my relationship with Jesus. With all that being said, let’s get into some reflections and goals!
2023:
For the most part 2023 was a really solid year. I made the goal at the beginning of the year to be able to run a 5k with no pain and that led me into my running journey. I started running at the end of March and even though my first run was 20 minutes around the Chelsea Piers Track I fell in love with how I felt during the run. Quickly after running I told my strength coach that I wanted to switch gears and start training for my first race. The six weeks leading up to my 10k race was so fun! Everything was new and much of my headspace was about running. After a fun 6 weeks of training the race ended up being one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. With the combo of going out too hard, having too high of expectations of myself, and my first time running in humidity it was a super tough day. After that race I knew I wanted to continue running and entering races even though that 10k race was brutal.
Through the summer and fall of 2023 I trained and ran in two 5k races due to specifically wanting to work on increasing speed. Both of my races went incredibly well and before going any further, I have to give praise to God for my performances. If you know me or have read my previous blog posts you know that I have struggled with chronic pain. But God truly worked through me on both of my races. I ran one minute faster than expected in both races, ending the year with a personal best of 23:01 in my 5k race on November 4th. With only running consistently for nine months and with my chronic pain I know what I have accomplished is all because of God.
Now looking forward into 2024 I am both excited and nervous for what is to come. I am signed up for my first half marathon on March 17th. I have already started training for that and training is going ok. Still dealing with chronic pain but believing God will provide for me. I am excited to be running with team “Tunnels to Towers” to help raise awareness and funds to the military veterans and families they support. Right now I’m a little over two months from the race and I have a lot of work to do with the goals I hope to accomplish. With that being said I am going to go into my athletic goals for 2024:
2024 Goals:
- To complete the NYC Half Marathon and run it in sub 2 hrs. Would love to be able to complete the race between 1:45-1:50 but with where I am in training I might be setting unrealistic expectations of myself. So I am holding somewhat loosely to the time goal and just focusing on what I can do now until then.
- I want to continue to work on both my speed and endurance to be able to join a competitive running club in NYC.
- In the fall I want to beat my PR in the 5k distance or half marathon. Or I may run my first marathon.
- Not scroll as much on instagram to stay present in my own training. I will be taking the whole month of January off.
- Stay disciplined and prioritize my sleep, nutrition, strength training, and recovery to stay as healthy as I can and manage the pain I experience.
With all of that being said I am super stoked to see what 2024 holds. I’m grateful to have a space to write and process all of the things I am learning and hopefully motivate you to partner with God and work towards what He has for your life! 2023 you were the beginning of a new beautiful journey. I’m excited for the next chapter. 2024 let’s go!
-Shara