Where I’ll be in 5 Years

I love to plan. It kind of drives my husband nuts. I’m not really happy if I’m not planning something.

So when the Friday Five crew, Cynthia from You Signed Up for What?, Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, and Mar from Mar on the Run, cam up with the topic of 5 Years from now, I thought it would be an easy post.

But where do I want to be 5 years from now? I spend so much time focusing on the next race (or state), the big picture kind of gets lost. And that isn’t a good thing!

10 More States
2 half marathons a year x 5 = 10 more states. Or so I hope. You never know. I could actually be at 20 states in 5 more years if I’m smart —  if I’m lucky, maybe I’ll actually be halfway through or further — I’m going for 3 states this year (4 if my body holds up to it).

I’ll also be 58. I have friends who are older than that and actually running way more halfs (and races) a year than me, so there’s certainly hope.

I was just thinking the other day that maybe I should save HI to be my 50th state. Sort of fitting, no? And then I worry that maybe I won’t get there (not HI, I’ve already been, but get to 50 states). I could be in my 70s by that point! Will I still be running?

Over ITBS
Yes, I’d love to finally get a handle on ITBS and not have to worry about when it will pounce or having to tape for a race or long run. That would be heaven.

Does that mean I need to see a PT? A sports doctor?

A little bit smaller
Technically I am at my Weight Watchers goal weight (most weeks, anyway — you can see my before/after photo here). You need to be within 2 pounds of your goal weight to be free, and I still really struggle with that. I have to admit, I feel like I’m forever trying to lose weight, and trying to lose weight and train for long distances isn’t really fun. I’ve been doing that for almost 4 years now!

So I’d like to lose about 5 pounds. More would be great, but 5 would allow me a little more leeway with my eating — like I wouldn’t have to worry so much when I’m on vacation. I’m only 5’1″, and those 5 lbs can make a huge difference to a vertically challenged person like myself.

One wrench in this is that fact that I am still not post menopausal. I know plenty of people that don’t gain when after menopause, but I also know plenty of people that do. In 5 years I definitely hope to be post menopausal!

Right now I am trying to focus on reigning in my sweet tooth. It has a habit of getting away from me. I really don’t need dessert after every meal — or every day, for that matter.

I was so proud of myself for not just reaching for some chocolate after dinner one night this week. It’s a bad habit. I told myself to wait. If I still wanted it later, I could have it. I had some string cheese before going to bed instead.

Running with a BFF
I wold love to find my running BFF. I enjoy running with Darlene from My First 5k & More, but let’s face it, we can only run together sometimes. Some of that’s scheduling, some of it’s just that our paces are so very different.

I’ve also spent the last 2 summers, on and off, running with one woman from my USAFit Albany group. We’ve never run together outside of the group, or socialized together, but we do have a lot in common and she has actually expressed some interest in doing VA Beach next year (one that I’m hoping to do).

That would be awesome. She’s just a little bit faster than me, but enjoys going my pace for long runs and is enjoying the same run/walk intervals too.

But who knows who I will meet in the next 5 years?

Or maybe I’ll even find a running posse?

I keep reading about these local blogger meetups or bRUNch meetups and quite frankly, I keep thinking we need to do that here! Except so far I only know one other local running blogger.

Faster
You knew this was coming, right?

Since most people slow down as they age it might be presumptuous, but I still just feel that there’s a faster runner in me. I’ll never be a gazelle, but I feel that I can improve.

 Do you have a plan when it comes to your running?