While last year went pretty well for me reading wise, my physical life was a bit of a disappointment. I ran, but not with the regularity, or speed, I would have liked.

This year is going to be different. This year is all about consistency… and maybe a little speed.

My goals are simple: 2,000 miles for the year, PR at the marathon distance, get back on the bike, and do a whole bunch of pushups.

Run 2,000 Miles for the Year. Year after year I set this as a goal and year after year, I fail. This year, for the first time in a very long time, I’m starting off the year motivated and uninjured.  If ever there was a year I could do this, it would be this year.

I know what the key is to getting this done – consistent mileage over weeks and months. But even though I know this is what it takes to get fast, and dozens and dozens of BQ(Q)s have born this out, it has still been a real struggle for me.

Take the last week, for instance. I was cruising right along, averaging 30-40 miles a week, and then a late night of work, and poof –everything went out the window. I haven’t run in almost a week, and I won’t be running tonight, either.

This is the central problem in my running, and it’s the central, physical/mental challenge I will address this year.

Tomorrow, it’s back on the horse for the 10,000^th time.

PR at the marathon distance. I’m signed up for the Vermont City Marathon this spring. It will be my first full marathon in more than three years. I’m terrified, and excited. If I can stay healthy, there’s no reason I can’t set a PR.

Bike 1,000 miles for the year.  I’m looking at perhaps doing a triathlon this summer, or perhaps not, it depends on a lot of different things. Either way, I’d like to fit in some more cross training. Bike commuting is an easy way to get that done.  So I plan to put some miles on the old Pista this year, if I commute in most days, it shouldn’t be too difficult to hit 1,000 miles.

Do A Whole Bunch of Push Ups. For the 1,000^th time, I’m doing the 100 push up challenge.  Strength training is important as we age, you know, and my son thinks it’s hilarious when I do pus ups – that’s a plus.

In previous years I’ve set up complex goals involving bodyweight feats, climbing, lifting and so much more. I hope to do better this year by setting simpler, if perhaps more time consuming, goals. I’ll be tracking these in the weekly training totals I post here. Stay tuned for various forms of failure!