Be It Resolved

I love New Year’s resolutions. I believe in their magical power the way some people believe in Santa Claus. I make them every year feeling completely confident that I will keep them, even though research says that 75 per cent of resolutions fail.

 Sometimes, I beat the odds and my resolutions succeed. I have lost weight, read classic novels, and improved my dental hygiene. I have returned phone calls more promptly and eaten more fruit. I have significantly reduced the frequency of cuss words in my vocabulary. I have run a marathon.

 

I’m not perfect, though. I still interrupt people (2008 resolution). I haven’t learned to sew (2006). I forget to unroll pairs of socks before putting them in the washing machine (2000 – present). Still, it feels important that my good intentions are out there, representing new levels of self-improvement I might achieve someday.

 

So, in keeping with the season, here are my running resolutions for 2009:

• Try a new race distance (30K at the Around the Bay race in Hamilton, Canada)
• Idiot-proof my locker at work by filling it with extra running gear for all the times I forget things.
• Find out what I'm actually supposed to be doing on those days marked "cross-train" on my running schedule. I think it has something to do with exercise.
• Run a half-marathon in 1:55 or less, and if I can do that ...
• Qualify for the Boston Marathon by running a 4-hour marathon.

I have a plan mapped out in my head for how I’m going to take a run at a Boston that goes something like this:

 

March:Run the 30K race

May: Run the National Capital Race Weekend half marathon in 1:55

September:Try for a 4-hour marathon at the Scotiabank Waterfront marathon in Toronto

October: Try again for a 4-hour marathon in the Toronto Marathon (3 weeks later)

November: Quit and never run again (Unless I BQ, in which case I will keep running until April 2010. Then I will quit and never run again)

 

I’m really nervous about setting this goal, because it’s one I’m not really certain I can accomplish. Am I actually willing and able to put in the effort needed? Do I have enough natural ability to achieve a really challenging time goal? I just don’t know. It’s scary – and exciting.