Column by Kym Klass
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I didn't make any running resolutions last year. I was injured ar the beginning of the year and focused more on healing than allowing myself to look too far ahead.
It's hard to "resolve" when it hurts even to walk.
I didn't start running again in 2009 until around March, after a four-month healing break for a suspicious tear in my medial meniscus.
Last year, I focused on goals: Heal. Get back in shape. Allow myself the time to improve training and race times. And start over with long weekend runs -- for me, I started with mile 5 and worked my way up mile by mile almost every weekend.
If last year taught me anything, it was to be thankful for injury-free days. I don't take any of those days for granted. That sort of "thanks" should be an every-day resolution for every runner, not just a Jan. 1 resolve.
This year, I'm coming off the Chickamauga Half Marathon in November uninjured, and currently am training for the Feb. 14 Mercedes Half Marathon under a completely different training plan (one of my new challenges). I feel good, and hope you, too, are injury-free and aiming for new goals in 2010.
I hope you embrace those challenges set before you, and that the time on your roads is well spent. I share with you my resolutions. If you've made yours, I wish you the best.
2010 RESOLUTIONS
I resolve to continue telling you to go to a specialty running shoe store to get fitted for shoes. Kohls does not sell running shoes. Trak Shak in Birmingham and MAC Sporting Goods in Montgomery do.
I resolve to wear lighter-colored clothes on early-morning runs.
I resolve to eat better. I started that this past year by cutting out red meat from my diet -- although I will still eat the occasional cheeseburger. I resolve to respect my body and to give it the nutrition it deserves to receive the results I want. I resolve to not have to touch base with a sports nutritionist again because I ate too little and lost too much weight, resulting in poor, exhausting why-am-I-so-tired training and race performances.
I resolve to run a half marathon with someone training for his or her first 13.1-mile race, if anything, to serve as encouragement.
I resolve to quit giving my friend James a hard time for wearing shorts while running in 18-degree weather. That's his business. I resolve to be there for him when his legs turn black.
I resolve to maintain my new running blog: www.runkymklass.blogspot.com
I resolve to continue not wearing my iPod while running. I have been able to tune in more to myself without worrying about which song is coming up next or forwarding on to different songs. I have been made more aware of my surroundings and my body in the six or so months I've gone music-free.
I resolve to gain more confidence in my racing. I have no problem with confidence training, but for several days leading up to a race (doesn't matter if it's a 5K or a half marathon), I doubt I can do it. Even 3.11 miles. Strangest thing.
I resolve to train smarter. I resolve to listen to my body, and to take it easy on recovery days and not push the mileage when sticking to a training plan. Running "one more mile" will sometimes only hurt. Not always, because we all sometimes find ourselves "done" with a workout and having to run an extra mile or so to get home or to our car. Last year, though, I "accidentally" ran 13 miles instead of 9. Long story (got lost), but my Achilles and calves hurt for two weeks because I wasn't ready for the 13 miles at that point.
I resolve to help at least five people find their running roads.
I turn 39 in March. I resolve this year to enjoy my last year in the 35-39 age group before moving into the "Masters" category. I resolve to quit making fun of my friends for being old.
I resolve to get more children running.
Finally, I resolve to use this space I've been given once a week to encourage you to find your spirit, to not give up, to focus on the finish line and ultimately, the prize: the feeling of accomplishment, success, of setting challenges and meeting goals. And even of accepting failures, because it is how we learn and is a key way we move forward.
Kym Klass is an avid runne, a metro reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser, and an R3 member.
