This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are you looking forward to this year?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

A new year and a new word.  I am definitely looking forward to this year.  These past couple of years have been interesting; hopefully, things will pick up and become more exciting.

Here are a few things I am looking forward to this year:

❇️ Travel.  My last trip was last year when I ran the NYC Half Marathon.  I am planning to go again in March and am excited about it.  My nephew is getting married in March in Mexico and that is in the plans to go there.  If that doesn’t work out, there will be another reception in Minnesota.

❇️ Read more books.  Not because of my goal, but because I like to read.  My goal this year is to read 24 books.

❇️ Running more races.  I want to run a race in all distances except the marathon.  I would love to PR in one or two race distances.

❇️ Self-care.  I have to do more things for me.  I can’t help or take care of other people (and pets) and I don’t take care of myself.  I am important too!

❇️ The end of the school year.  Is it too early to think about it?  Every year it gets more and more difficult and exhausting.  I can’t keep up with all of it.  The end of another school year means another year closer to retirement.

Next week is a FREE topic.  Feel free to write about any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s your plan to achieve your 2024 goals?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

In December I wrote about my 2024 goals.  Let me tell you how I plan to achieve these goals. 

➡️ Read 24 books.  I read 23 books last year.  24 books is 2 each month.  I think I can manage it.  I am impressed with people that read 50, 60, 70 books in a year.  I guess I can do it too if I didn’t watch so much TV.

➡️ PR in a race distance.  I haven’t decided if I want to work with a coach this year or train “properly”.  I know if I strength train that will help me be a stronger runner.

➡️ Run a half marathon in a different state.  I still need to run a half marathon in South Carolina, Kansas, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Idaho, New Mexico, and Hawaii.  For now I have my eye on the Fargo Half Marathon in North Dakota and the Garmin Olathe Half Marathon in Kansas.  With these states (except Kansas) I need to fly with an airline that is not Southwest and out of O’Hare.  Logistics is a bit complicated and more expensive.

➡️ Don’t procrastinate (too much).  I guess I will do what I have to do and not wait.  But there have been times in which I did procrastinate and the end result was better.

➡️ Switch retirement plan and add more money to it each month.  I’ve been wanting to do this for years.  I think I signed up for my retirement plan during my 1st or 2nd year teaching.  Since then I’ve met the financial advisor/agent maybe 2 or 3 more times.  I plan to retire before the age when I will receive 100% of my benefits.  I am OK with that so I need to make sure I save as much money as I can in the meantime.  I am not waiting till I am 65 to retire.  That means I need money for insurance too.

The topic for next week – What are you looking forward to this year?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your Winter running plans or race schedule?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Winter is my least favorite season/time for running, but it still needs to get done.  I cannot complain too much about it because this Winter has been mild.  Below are my running plans this Winter.

❄️ Be consistent with running.  I am am following Hal Higdon’s plan to train for the NYC Half Marathon.  I would like to run various race distances this year again.  Last year I did all except a 5k.

❄️ Run the NYC Half Marathon and the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. I am excited to go back to NYC to run the half marathon.  I plan to be better prepared for this race, but my goals are to finish and to have fun.  The Shamrock Shuffle is one of my favorite races and am looking forward to it.

❄️ Continue/start walking again.  As if training for a half marathon wasn’t enough motivation,  I also signed up for the Run The Year Challenge.  My goal is to run and walk 2,024 miles this year.  I know, I know, I said I wasn’t going to set a goal for me.  I like this challenge because both running and walking count towards the goal.

❄️ Recover and stretch.  I have to take care of myself and my body.  It is one of my least favorite things to do but I know I have to do it.

❄️ Strength train.  The NYC Half Marathon is hilly.  Last year I did better than I expected but I know I can do better if I train for it properly and also strength train.  Plus, this will help me be a stronger runner and avoid injuries.

The topic for next week – What’s your plan to achieve your 2024 goals?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Welcome to the first edition of Tuesday Topics for 2024!  Jenn and I have fun topics for this year and are excited for you to join us every week.  We will continue to have the last Tuesday of every month to be a FREE Topic.  

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What’s your word for 2024?  You can write about this topic or post any running-related blog post.  Remember to link up with Jenn and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

Below are the words I’ve had in the past.

2023-Balance

2022-Patience

2021-Joy

Last year my word was “Balance”.  It wasn’t easy but I think I did well last year.

For 2024 I decided my word to be “Self-Care”.  It was hard to pick a word because there are so many great ones.  However, once I saw this word, I knew it was perfect for me.

Self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed.  It’s all the steps an individual can take to manage stressors in his or her life and take care of his or her own health and well-being.

I feel like I take care of many people and tend to ignore myself.  As I teacher, I am responsible for 20+ students.  They come to me when they do not feel good, when someone bothers them, etc.  My sisters and I take care of my mom.  I take her to her doctor appointments and make sure she has what she needs.  I even have 2 cats to take care of!

Who takes care of me?  No one.  I am responsible for myself.  This year has taken a toll on me and more than once I’ve felt angry, unhappy, and resentful.  I do not want to feel like that anymore.  I am the only one that can make changes (another great word).  I also know I need to make for time for self-care.

Ideas for self-care:

• Get regular exercise.
• Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated.
• Make sleep a priority.
• Try a relaxing activity.
• Set goals and priorities.
• Practice gratitude.
• Focus on positivity.
• Stay connected.
• Listen to music.

The topic for next week – What are your Winter running plans or race schedule?  Feel free to write about this or any running-related topic.  We hope you’ll link up with us!