What is your next goal?

Over the summer, I had a goal to run a 5K, which I accomplished in June with an average of 11:58-minute mile.  I also had a goal to run 30 miles in 30 days, which I completed in late July. I’m not noting these because I want to toot my own horn; rather, I want to point out that it’s important that once you reach a goal, that you don’t just sit back and rest on your accomplishment, but that you continue to set new goals that challenge and motivate you.

So what’s my next fitness goal?  I’ve decided it’s going to be a combination of the two recent goals I set, but I’m upping the ante a bit. So for my ongoing goal, I’m going to increase my mileage, and run 35 miles in the next 30 days. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but for me, it’s either another 2 averages runs between now and 9/20, or it means increase each of my normal runs by about a 1/2 mile each.

Then for the 2nd half of my goal, I’m going to run another 5K, but improve my time to an 11:00-minute mile. I’ve registered for the PADS run here in Wheaton, which benefits the DuPage PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) program. This goal will force me to gradually lengthen my mileage again (I’ve gotten back down to 2 or 2.5 miles on an average run), and it will also mean that I’ll need to step a little faster if I’m going to make the 11-minute mile mark, too.

These are my fitness goals for the next month; before the end of August, I’ll re-post my 2008 goals in other areas, and let you know how I’m doing.

The year is nearly two-thirds over - what are your next goals, and how are you doing with your yearly goals? Are you 66.666% through them?