Ah Summer…It’s almost like New Year’s Eve in that, people set out to accomplish new goals after a long winter of hibernation. I always come up with lofty goals myself every summer. So this Friday, I am linking up again with the fabulous #FridayFive hosts: Cynthia, Courtney and Mar to bring you my 5 Summer Goals.
1. I plan to continue to come back slowly and smartly from my stress fracture. Now that I am back to doing 6 miles comfortably, I am going to hang there for a while and let my body adapt. It’s tempting to jump into races every weekend or add in extra run days when it’s nice out or friends want you come along. I have to keep my bigger goals in mind and focus on coming back safely so that I am healthy for Ragnar DC in September. That’s my big race goal right now.
2. Continue to try to eat cleaner and improve my diet. I eat a pretty well balanced vegetarian diet 95% of the time. I’ve been working on cutting out processed foods and eating more whole foods. I’m trying to reduce my sugar intake. Not as hard as I thought but not always perfect. “Confession”: I write this after I just ate a handful of jelly beans-LOL so clearly some work to do.
3.Step out of my comfort zone a little more-this is a tough one fore me. We are going to Aspen next month and my husband wants to go white water rafting which really scares me. I’m afraid of falling out of the raft and float away or something ridiculous like that. I tried stand up paddle boarding last year and would like to do that again on the Potomac. It was a lot harder than I expected but fun. Doing it in the Potomac would certainly be out of my comfort zone. I may not get this advanced but it looks really cool-a girl can dream!
4. Add in some nighttime runs to prepare for Ragnar. I am definitely a mid morning runner as that is when I have the most energy. I know I need to do a few night time runs to prepare. I think I will sign up for the W&OD 10k this year which is in the evening August 2. I imagine running at night will be one of the hardest parts of the Ragnar experience for me. I found some tips from Jenn at FitbottomedGirls for safe night time running.
5. Get more Sleep- During the school year I tend to get in the habit of staying up too late and waking up too early. I know we all do! I am going to really try to establish some better habits this summer. Plus, all of this blogging is exhausting!!!
Those are a few of my goals for this summer….What are your goals?
Oh, you have some fun things. And even if they scare you a bit they will be great!
I hope so that’s the plan. I keep forgetting to ask you which app you use for your cute graphics? I need some help in that area
Ragnars are so much fun!! The nighttime runs are definitely difficult to adjust to if you aren’t used to them. If I may offer some advice, practice running on different terrains at night. Depending on where your Ragnar location is, you might have to run on trails, gravel or another unstable surface. Check the Ragnar website for your legs and see if it mentions the terrain or pathways.
I got stuck running through the Everglades at night in thick muck-like dirt and gravel. I ran much much slower than usual because I was uncertain of my footing. It was tough, but so much fun.
Great idea Haley! I didn’t think about different terrains that’s a good tip. I am doing the DC race and I will check it out. Have a great day
You have a great set of goals for this summer–I love that the are quality driven (like staying healthy, being smart about your eating and running) rather than results (like hitting a certain number of miles, etc). So many people get obsessed with the numbers, but numbers are only that. And Ragnar will be amazing, so staying healthy for that is concern #1!
Thanks Susie-I’ve learned over the years that focusing on numbers is not healthy for me. I get too obsessed-who cares about age or weight numbers? Thanks have a great day
Nice goals. I need to get some nighttime runs in this summer as well. I cannot wait for school to be over!!!
me too! It’s been a long long year. Have a great day!
Good luck getting your night runs in. At least it will be cooler during that time. So fun that you are getting to be a part of the Ragnar race. That is one race I would love to do sometime. I think getting more sleep is something that we can all relate too:) ~L
That’s a bonus it will be cooler at night! We all seem to want/need more sleep. All this exercising is exhausting huh? Thanks for stopping by
Great list of goals! I need to…drink more water, stop eating like a plague, and get more sleep. The last one probably won’t happen, but I will definitely be working on the first two! :]
Ah sounds like we all need more sleep. In fact I think I might go take a nap-lol. Thanks for stopping by!
Those Ragnars look really run! Good luck ! Can’t wait to hear all about it!
Getting more sleep would be one of my goals for the summer too! I go to bed way too late (for me) and just recently have been waking up earlier than I care to, thanks to a certain 2 1/2 yr old :/
Have a nice weekend !!
I meant to say “fun” not run :/ I have been up to long already and its only 6 am.
Haha sounds like you do need more sleep! Darn those kids!
Ragnar is on my goal list too, but not until 2016! I like running at night, but it’s always been in a big race where I’m following a bunch of other runners. I’m worried about getting lost at night on the Ragnar course. Great goals!!
I’m worried about getting lost too! Hope you get to do your Ragnar one day too. Thanks for stopping by!
I would love to do a Ragnar race, but I would be afraid to run at night. The funny thing is, I run some of my morning runs while it is still dark outside. Good luck with the white water rafting…..I have stand up paddleboarding on my list for this summer.
I’m a little afraid to run at night too! I’ll probably get lost and run an extra 5 miles or something-lol. Let me know how your SUP goes. Have fun!
White water rafting is so much fun! And, while most of the time people don’t fall out, it’s totally ok if you do and the rafting dude (or dudette LOL) will have prepped you before the rapid on what to do in that rapid. I’d white water raft every weekend if I could.
And if you ever want to meet for a late night run, let me know!
You got it on the night runs! I’m so excited to do Ragnar with you and our team.
#1 definitely!! REST was on my list as I want to make sure the foot is really healthy before I tax my legs all over again with marathon training!
Yes make sure you are totally healed before embarking on that one. Looking forward to watching your training and progress this summer. Have a great day!
I’m stepping outside my comfort zone too and trying stand up paddle boarding. You are going to love Ragnar. The night runs aren’t that bad 😉
Let me know how your SUP goes. And yes definitely looking forward to Ragnar-unless I get lost at night running-oh something else to worry about! Thanks for stopping by hope to see you again!
Don’t be afraid of white water rafting, it is actually a lot of fun! People rarely fall out and even if you do they’ll pick you up down the river later. I actually have purposely fallen out before in the smaller rapids just to enjoy the solo trip more:)
Have fun on your summer plans!!! Very cute blog by the way:)
I am afraid but ready to face the fear! Stay tuned. Glad you like the blog hope to see you again soon.
Getting more sleep and eating MORE of the right foods is definitely on my list. Sleep is underrated – we NEED all 8 hours!!!!! 🙂 Can’t wait to read about your Ragnar.
Sleep is under rated! I’m aiming for more when my kids don’t have to get up for school in a few weeks. Good luck with getting more too.
Really great goals Deborah! I’ve always wanted to go white water rafting too. I bet you will have a lot more fun than you think! Not sure when I’ll get the chance to do that but I can see a girls paddle boarding trip o the Potomac in our future… sound fun? I can’t wait to do the Ragnar in September and I have been finding the evening running a little easier with getting out there with my boys recently so would love to head out on some evening runs with you too.
I am TERRIBLE I am at getting enough sleep too. Roll on the summer vacation is all I can say!
You’re on for paddle boarding on the Potomac! I was going to try to convince you!! Ragnar will be great indeed. And yes bring on the end of school!
White water rafting is such a blast! I’ve done it in NY and PA though..not Aspen! I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time!
I did it years ago and was so scared but I am going to face the fear! stay tuned!
Do the whitewater rafting! It’s SO much fun – very exhilarating and beautiful out there. And they’ll guide you through it!
I am going to do it I am just terrified that I am going to injure myself. Stay tuned for details!
Stepping out of the comfort zone isn’t easy. My husband is much more adventurous than I am, so I can relate. Once you get past the fear, it does usually end up being quite an experience 😉
I know I plan to conquer the fear this summer! Should be fun. Have a great weekend.
I like your goals! I’ve been trying to work on my diet as I prepare for marathon training in a couple of weeks and also working on getting in more sleep.
I definitely agree on coming back slowly and not rushing things after an injury–good luck to you and looking forward to reading about your preparations for Ragnar! 🙂
Yes we all seem to be wanting more sleep this week-common theme!
i always love your posts! i also love 10ks and am now putting that race on my calendar — thanks for the heads up 🙂
Thanks! I hope it’s not one of those 100 degree days or we’ll have to bail and go to dinner instead!
What a wonderful list of goals for the summer! Your plan for easing back into the longer distances after your injury is really smart. I am more of a night time runner myself, so it’s been tough for me to transition during the summer when it’s best to run early when it’s cooler out. Isn’t it funny how everyone is different?
It is! If you have any tips let me know. I fear I will have to run at 3 am and get lost somewhere-LOL!
Great goals for the summer! I look forward to reading about Ragnar. Sounds like a great experience.
I am excited for Ragnar too and a little nervous. Should be lots of fun! Thanks for stopping in!
Great five! I will have to add paddleboarding to my summer to do list. I was pretty nervous when I ran my second leg of Ragnar in the dark (for the same reasons you listed – rocky terrain, in my case the open road, its dark). I am not sure if someone already commented, but I really liked using my LED armbands (I know others just had the LED lights clipped to their sides or vest. In the end the night run was my favorite – it was cooler, and it was fun to see lights bobbing up and down for miles 🙂
good idea I hadn’t thought of the lighted arm bands. Thanks for the advice!
My goals this summer are mainly fun ones! After a doozy of a winter I just want to get out and enjoy! Some of this will be training for my first trail half marathon later this summer.
I like those goals too! Summer is all about having fun. Thanks for stopping by
Great summer list – these are really good goals and attainable with some effort! I applaud you!
Thanks! I think they are attainable too. I’m done setting goals that only make me feel bad if I don’t reach them. Have a great day!
oops, it’s already 11pm.
I can’t wait to hear about white-water rafting!
Me too! Stay Tuned
I continuously try to eat cleaner and cut back on sugar but I just love ice cream…. even more so in the summer. I have always wanted to go white water rafting but never gotten around to it. One day !
Great list. Taking #1 at the right pace is important to help #4 happen. I also went white water rafting once and it was a blast. I did get thrown (we may have went over one of the areas marked with an X to avoid) but even that was fun in its own right.
I’ve been eating better, with room for improvement. Confession: I write this after throwing a couple of Entenmann’s Pop ’ems in my mouth.
And now you have me looking up the W&OD 10K, since it sounds interesting. Haha
I won’t tell about the donuts if you don’t tell about the jellybeans! Sometimes you just need some sugar!! Don’t get me scared about whitewater rafting-LOL!
I love jelly beans! I am a morning person so the late night Ragnar runs would make me nervous but it sounds like so much fun! Nothing ventured nothing gained!
That’s how I look at it too! The night runs will be challenging but quite an experience I think
I’ve been trying to eat less processed foods too but honestly, it only makes me more hungry for the things I shouldn’t have! I need to work on that! I hear Ragnar is amazing and I was asked to be on a team but I’m not there yet – cant’ wait to hear your adventures!
I still need to have chocolate once in a while too. I think that’s healthy. I’m super excited for Ragnar but also scared. I am sure you will hear all about it!
Night runs and riding in a car as a passenger do NOT work for me…so I guess I will never do Ragnar! My energy level is ZERO after the sun goes down. I think white water rafting sounds fun, but I bet once I showed up and saw the raging water, I’d probably back out, lol!
I know there are a lot of things to overcome for Ragnar! I also do not like being a passenger especially in the back of a van. Sounds like you need to step out of your comfort zone too! LOL