A Year in Review

I am looking back on 2014, as a runner and a blogger. I had successful years as both, although I had no goals. If you didn't set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based), can you really say you were a success? I think you can!

Why didn't I set goals? I'm not sure; maybe because so many parts of my life are already rigid and controlled and I want running and blogging to be fun. Instead I just focused on what felt right.

• For running: I wanted to build to mid-distance racing
• For blogging: I wanted to connect with people and share my journey

Running

I built to mid-distance racing, and accomplished so much more:

• I ran two ten-mile races (Cherry Blossom and Army Ten-Miler) and two half marathons (Nike Women's Half and Philly Half)
• I made incredible running friends - through Potomac River Running Training (=PR=), through Reston Runners Womens Training Program (WTP), through Moms Run This Town (MRTT), through talking to people during races:

A Pirate Run with =PR= Reston

WTP Takes on the Women's Distance Festival

MRTT Multi-Chapter picture from Mother's Day 4-Miler

I ran the Philly Half with Mary & Jane,
whom I met DURING the Nike Women's Half!

• And something that wouldn't have occurred to me in a zillion years to make a goal at the beginning of the year - I became a running coach! Helping others achieve their goals (SMART or not) is incredibly rewarding to me.

Blogging

I started blogging a year ago - December 27, 2013. I had applied to be a Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run Social Runner in 2013, which was kind of silly since I didn't even have a blog. I decided to create a blog and chronicle my training for Cherry Blossom even though I wasn't selected. Little did I imagine how fun it would be!

• Today, I am on the cusp of  reaching 20,000 page views since my blog started. Crazy, right?
• My friends have joked that when they run local races with me they feel like they are running with a celebrity because so many random people say hi to me or ask if I'm Kim.
• I wasn't selected as a Cherry Blossom Social Runner in 2014, but I was selected to be part of the Cherry Blossom Blog Team. I'd count that as a win!

With Social Runners Megan & Lauren at the
Cherry Blossom Kick-off Party

Next Year

I'm undecided if I will set SMART goals for next year or just wing it again. Winging it worked out pretty well for me this year. I just might do it again.