Some goals for the off season.

From now until January 5th, I get a reprieve.  That doesn't mean i get to just skip running.  (I did that all last week, and it was both glorious and traumatic to my waistline.) But it does mean that i am just running around all "willy nilly" with no goals, no target, and no plan.  Its a little scary to not have a paper schedule telling me what distance to run everyday.  I was (am) very tempted to sign up for the Schaumburg turkey trot half marathon this weekend.  VERY tempted.  But truth be told, the next month is about rebuilding and regenerating, and NOT signing up for races like a maniac.  

But, as someone who fails miserably at life without structure, i thought i could make a few goals to ride me through until probably February when my mileage will kick back up for spring marathoning. 

1.  Think up some goals for next year (yes.  one of my goals is to make more goals.  go easy on me.)  I need to make some realistic goals for next years running season.  Realistically, i think "PR at everything" will be part of it- one of the benefits of being mediocre at best is the room for infinite improvement.

2.  Focus on speed.  I spent all year making sure my body can handle the brutality of 26 miles, which leaves very little room (or energy) for speed training.  This winter i WILL crack the 8 minute mile barrier.  I don't know when;  I don't know where; but 7:59 - I am COMING FOR YOU!

3.  I know i say this all the time, but strength training.  It seriously has to happen.  I walked into a door this morning.  My noodle arms suck so bad right now.  

Wearing every piece of weight training gear my brother owned.

4.  Try somekind of new-fangled exercise class.  Last year it was hot yoga (which i love, providing it's just childs pose) but its time to expand.  Crossfit?  P90x? Barre? Bootcamp?  Quite frankly, they all sound terrifying, but if you aren't at least a little terrified, you aren't trying hard enough.

5.  Work-Life-Running balance.  Maybe this year i will get it right!  Or maybe not.  We'll see.....Either way, i need to at least try to find a truce between running as much as i want, advancing in my career, and keeping a clean house, with a happy and well fed Matt and Waffles.  

Ok, who am i kidding.  The last one is never gonna happen.  But i can promise you that they won't starve.  

Do you have an "off season"?  Or are you totally badassing it and marathoning all year round?  What is your game plan for the next couple months?  Do you want to run with me?  I am seriously lacking motivation to run in the cold dark world right now.