My 2013 New Year's Resolutions = Completed

9.03.2013

A few weeks ago, I completed my last resolution for 2013. Considering how lame last year's resolutions went, I am really proud of myself for getting these knocked out just over halfway through the year. Three of my four resolutions were running related. I'm sure this doesn't shock you. The fourth was book related. 

1. Run a half marathon under 2 hours

In February, I finished my fifth half marathon, the Fort Worth Cowtown, in 1:56. My brother Austin ran this one with me, and it was fun to share that moment with him.

Sidenote: My turd of a brother ran a total of THREE MILES before running this half marathon and still finished right beside me. It kind of makes the year I spent training for a sub 2-hour half seem pointless, no? My brothers = freaks of nature

2. Run a marathon

In April, I ran my first marathon in Oklahoma City in 4:14. My dad also ran his first marathon (5:05), and it was such a special day to share with him.

3. Run 500 miles in 2013 (<-- the one I might be most excited about!)

On August 17 I did a 10-mile Saturday run and passed my 500-mile goal. In 2012 I ran 359 miles, so I felt like I was setting a crazy high goal of 500 for 2013. I completely underestimated the insane amount of miles that marathon training can add up. Can I possibly hit 600 by the end of the year? We'll see....

Take a look at the months so far. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell when I was marathon training and when I wasn't.

(Stats as of 9/01/13)


 4. Read 12 books
[via]
Last year, my goal was 30 books, which I hit in October. But I just really didn't like the feeling of having to read a book just because I set a goal. I also knew this year would be crazy, so I set a goal of 12 books--one book a month.

Apparently I got into the reading mode quicker than I thought, because a few weeks ago I read my 13th book for the year! And I'm still going, because I've got my Anne of Green Gables series to finish. I just set a new goal for 20, and I think I'll be able to hit that no problem.

I posted on Twitter that I had hit all my resolutions for the year already, and someone responded and said maybe I should have set higher goals. That made me think. Should I have set bigger goals for myself?

But I realized that when I set these, they seemed like big goals. I don't feel lame for already finishing them. In fact, it just gives me more confidence that I can complete the goals I set for myself. I'm also proud of how this year has gone so far. It's been nothing like I expected, but I'm trying to make the most of it and stay positive.

How are you doing on your New Year's resolutions? 
Have you completed any or are you close to completing any?
Michelle said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What an achievement!

Anonymous said...

So awesome! And, more time left in the year! Congrats!

Julie @ A Simply Sweet Blog said...

No way, I think its awesome that you set goals and achieved them. I think most people give up on even making resolutions bc they make ones they probably can't achieve. That's totally true in my case! It's defeating to not be able to complete resolutions, but totally motivating when you do :)

Tara said...

Congrats! That is so awesome! :) I also love how your family runs with you. It's great that you can encourage each other! I also think there is a fine line between making goals either too easy or too overwhelming (still trying to figure this out for myself...), but you obviously worked hard for this so I think you did great!

Anonymous said...

Run 500 miles? I am tired for you! Good job girl.

Tracy said...

Do you read real books or books on a kindle?

Congrats on all that running. Major accomplishment in this Oklahoma weather.

Becky said...

Congrats!!! That is awesome you completed all your goals! I don't think you needed to set them any higher. I've been thinking about signing up for my first marathon next year so reading your recap and the details was really helpful. We'll see if I'm brave enough to go through with it!

Abbey said...

Congrats! With things like these, I think it's difficult to know how high you're shooting. I remember thinking I would NEVER run a 5k in less than 30 minutes. It wasn't even something I would set as a goal because I was sure it wouldn't happen. And then it did. It's fun to surprise yourself that way!

Niken said...

congrats Amanda! that's awesome. ugh, i still have no effort in working out department. hhaa.

but so far in this year i've read over 34 books. i call that improvement for myself.

Christina @ The Murrayed Life said...

Have I ever, ever, EVER known someone who completed New Year's resolutions?!?

Who knows. But probably not.. And either way, you GO GIRL! :)

Unknown said...

Those goals seem pretty on target to me! Hooray! Congrats on finishing them! Maybe we should start doing half-year goals instead of whole year ones.

Michelle @ Mishfish13

Anonymous said...

This is awesome well done you super woman!

Your bro is super speedy but do you know you're pretty epic too :)

Woohoo to this happy and positive goal hitting post I love it!

Em
x

Rachel Sedaker said...

Wow, that is amazing that you have completed all of these goals with 4 months left in the year! Go you!

Unknown said...

amazing! congratulations!

Susannah said...

Wow girl! How wonderful! That's awesome that you were able to complete all your goals! :-)

Anonymous said...

Awesome awesome awesome! Great job :)

Rachel said...

That is a LOT of miles--and you really completed your resolutions way ahead of time, that's awesome!! Now you'll definitely surpass your expectations for the year.

Kate said...

Oh, I think these goals were plenty lofty! Very impressive, lady!!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

Look at you, you over achiever, you!

Anonymous said...

Ugh, that's how my ex is, he can just run any distance & pace with no training. It makes me sick.

Sarah said...

This is amazing!!! You are a champ!!!

I didn't even set goals for myself this year - failure HA!

Sarah Smith said...

Those are some seriously impressive accomplishments! Congrats!

Katie said...

you are a superstar. :) guess you need to make some new resolutions!

Katie said...

I love that your brother ran 3 miles for his training and still kept up. Total freak of nature:) I had a friend in high school who loved to rub in my face that he was a smoker and still had better lungs than I and could run farther and faster. It drove me nuts.

Aleshea said...

Yes ma'am to all of these goals and completing was in advance. Heck, big congrats for completing them. In college I decided I want to pick up running and it failed. I could wake up and do the runs with my roommate. It was the changing of diet so I could keep up with all the working out I failed at.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on smashing your new years resolutions AND for running a marathon! You go lady!

Kate - diariesofanessexgirl.com

Betty said...

Way to go...even with months to spare! Nice work!

Unknown said...

Congrats on completing your new years resolutions! I think it's more important to finish what you say you're going to do rather than make resolutions so impossibly big that you feel like crap when you can't finish them. You can always add another goal after you've completed the first one...but the important thing is that you completed one.

sagegrayson.com

Sarah said...

Congrats!! These are all super awesome goals!! You should be very proud of yourself!!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness A marathon?! Amazing job!! I've always wanted to run one, but wow. It's difficult to get out of bed and in the gym in the morning ;)

Allison said...

Wow!! I'm so impressed. Congrats!!! :)

Unknown said...

Wow! You're tackling 2013 like a boss! :) Congrats! PS - I loved your list of things you learned in your first 3 years of running, and as I read each one I was "Oh yeah, that's so true" or "That's so me!" :)

Allison @ Mrs. Southern Mama said...

Congrats on completing your resolutions!!!

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

I tend to re-evaluate my goals and if I complete them early I may add another goal or two. Great job on meeting all your goals!

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