Do You Have Specific Running Goals for 2005?

I do. They're modest, but I have them.

I realize that I'm not going to make the huge strides that I've made the last two years. However, I still should have targets to shoot for.

If not, I should just walk for exercise and never run again. Let's face it: this is a competition! If not for a first place or an age-group finish, then it is about competing against yourself!

Here are mine for 2005:

1 -- Complete a running event in under 9:15 minutes per mile
1A -- Complete a running event in under 9 minutes per mile
2 -- Sub 8-minute mile
3 -- Sub 29-minute 5K
3A -- Sub 28-minute 5K
4 -- Sub 1-hour 10K
4A -- Sub 58:51 10K (9:30 minutes per mile)
5 -- Sub 2:17:27 half marathon (10:30 minutes per mile)
5A -- Sub 2:15:16 half marathon (10:20 minutes per mile)
6 -- Attempt and finish a longer duathlon (initial was 2m/11.5m/2m)
7 -- Attempt and finish a triathlon
8 -- Attempt and finish a trail run
9 -- Lower my initial marathon time of 5:39:06
9A -- Sub 5:12 marathon (12 minutes per mile)
9B -- Sub 5:00 marathon
9C -- Sub 4:48 marathon (11 minutes per mile)

Some of these I'm very close on and others will force me to really, really work in the new year. Two of the tougher ones? The sub 28-minute 5K and the sub 58:51 10K!

How did I do in 2004? I accomplished five (5), got close on another, delayed one and didn't pursue the last one (the weight issue).

I got really close to breaking an hour on a 10K (with the help of Power In Motion in the fall).
I a.) ran an event in under 10 minutes a mile, b.) ran a 5K in under 30 minutes, c.) ran a half marathon in less than 2 hours and 30 minutes, d.) attempted and finished a duathlon and e.) attempted and finished a marathon.

The most important things though? I made a countless number of friends in 2004 and know that I'll make more in 2005!