The Year of the Half Marathon!

2017 is all about the half marathon!

My running goal for this year is to complete the Cardiff half marathon in under 2 hours. Yep you read that right, I'm going for a sub 2 hour half marathon!

My last half marathon was Cardiff in October 2016 and took me 2 hours, 23 mins and 28 seconds so that means I need to knock about 24 minutes off my race time. Ok then...

That about sums it up!

In order to achieve this I am going to have to push myself harder than I usually do. I'm going to have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and with it hurting. When my brain says "WTF are you doing? Stop!" I'm going to have to find the strength to tell it to shut the f**k up and just keep going.

I know I can do this, I know I can push myself further. I've been smashing my PBs since last August, I'm getting stronger and faster so this is doable. I just need to face the fear and not let myself get intimidated or defeated before I give myself the chance to try.

I'm signing up to do 4 half marathons this year so I can keep an eye on how I'm doing as I go, the races are:

Newport on 5th March

Swansea on 4th June

Severn Bridge on 27th August

Cardiff on 1st October

I'm also going to try to blog more often as it's a good way to keep myself accountable and on target. I should probably also draw up some sort of training plan then not really stick to it and end up drawing all over it when I don't follow it. That sounds sensible.

Wish me luck!!

Goals for 2016... Better Late Than Never!

This year has been the hardest of my life but now it's time to take it off hold and start living it again. The rest of this year is going to be all about becoming stronger, both physically and mentally, and more confident. It's about kicking my low self-esteem up the butt and remembering how amazing I am. I feel as though I have a few pieces of my jigsaw missing and I want to change that. I've set myself three goals so that I have something to focus on and work towards, they are:

1. Improve to my running
2. Start on the pathway to my new career
3. Fall madly and deeply in love

The first goal is a bit vague so here's breakdown of what I would like to achieve:

• Complete my first marathon and have fun doing it without worrying about time
• Run a sub 2:15:00 half marathon
• Run a sub 55 min 10k (current record is 62 minutes something)
• Reduce my short run average pace to 9 min/mile

This means I need to actually run more often, I'm only running 2-3 times a week at the moment but want to aim for 4. I also want to include doing hill repeats, speed work and strength training. I already know that I should be doing these things but most of the time I completely forget once I start running and other times I'm just too lazy to bother.

I also want to start doing yoga at home and maybe a spin class one or twice a week.

Looks like fun...

If I start incorporating them into my weekly routine then I'll be fine, I just need a bit of motivation.

*wipes drool from chin*

Once my marathon is over and done with, I'm going to start running with my dog Winston. The first thing will be to train him not to trip me up then it'll be getting him to actually run by my side. The first time I tried running with him we both ended up on the floor. The second time he shot off and then decided he could walk as fast as I could run... this did not make me look good!

The second goal is to finally sort out what I want to be when I grow up.

If only it was that simple!

I have a few ideas but am going to keep them to myself for now. I've sent a couple of emails out asking for advice so will see what happens there.

The third goal isn't really a goal but is probably going to be the hardest. I've decided to stop online dating and try seeing what the real world can come up with.

I want someone kind, caring, honest and respectful. Someone to laugh with me, share experiences with me and support me in my life choices and goals. I also need someone who can embrace all the madness that comes along with me and I will do the same for him. I just have 2 non-negotiables, he must be 6ft or above (I'm 5ft 10" and like to wear heels) and a non-smoker.

The downside to offline dating is that you meet less men and then you don't know if they're single, interested in you or even actually looking for a relationship etc. Now I know what you're thinking, you don't know any of those things for sure with online dating either but at least you have a better chance.

This is where you guys come in. I am open to being set up so feel free to match me up with someone you know.

Maybe give it some real thought first!

Now I've said them out loud I actually need to start doing them and I'm sure my fellow Pegs will keep me to this and help me along the way. I always work better with structure and a plan to follow so it's about time I gave myself some realistic goals to work towards. Who knows, I might actually achieve one or two of them!

Here I go!