2014 Goals

I hesitated even writing out any "New Year resolutions" because they seem pretty cliche and just set you up for failure most of the time.  But I also know that in the past when I have put my goals out there for others to know, I feel more accountable.  Therefore, I've decided to type out some hopefully attainable goals for 2014.

Fitness Goals:
1. Run at least 365 miles in 2014.
   *I started this goal in April 2012, and have done pretty well with it.  In 2013 I was 12.4 miles  short for the year, so this goal seems pretty attainable for 2014.  My agreement with myself is that if by each Friday I have run at least 7 miles during that week, then I get to take Saturday off.  If not, then I have to make up the miles on Saturday.  Unfortunately, I had to run today (in the mud) to complete my 7 miles for this past week.  I think I need to replace my running shoes as well, they have about 375 miles on them.

Below is a chart of my 2013 mileage by month.  June was lowest because I took off a week for our Maine vacation.  August and September were low as well because it was hot as blazes outside.

2. Run a half marathon
    *I've done several 5Ks and a 10K, so the next distance to conquer is a Half-Marathon (13.1 miles).  I'm going to attempt to convince my mom to do this with me.  (Whadya say mom?!)
3. Try to do more strength training
     *Strength training is not something that I have ever really done, but I know there are benefits for runners and for changing the tone of your body.  Anybody have recommendations on this topic?

Bookish Goals:
1. Read at least 25 books.
    *This goal should definitely be attainable.  Currently I average about a book a week so 25 books might seem like a low ball number, but I have several large books on my to be read list that might slow me down.  I've also considered writing some book reviews on this blog.  Would any of you be interested in those?  Below is a chart of my August-December 2013 reading list from Goodreads.  I just started using this website in August to track my reading, so my 2014 stats should be more comprehensive.

2. Read at least 5 classics. 
     *This goal might actually be a little more difficult for me.  I struggle with reading classics because they remind me of mandatory high school reading lists and writing AP essays.  But I know there is a reason why certain books are considered classics, so I am willing to try to read at least 5.  I plan to pull from this banned books list.  I started 3 classics in December and couldn't finish any of them, which was pretty frustrating.  I am, however, looking forward to reading Gone with the Wind, which I got for Christmas.  At 960 pages it will be the second longest book I have ever read (right behind The Pillars of the Earth), so that should be fun!

3. Get my "to-be-read" list down
    *This one is actually pretty embarrassing.  I have waaaaay too many books sitting on my bookshelf that I have never read.  When I lived in middle Georgia I sold a lot of my books that I had already read (unless they were favorites), so now about half of the books on my shelves I have never read.  I'm going to try to curb my book buying until I can be less embarrassed about the to be read pile I already own.

4. Read more of the Bible
    *I've gotten in a bad habit of only reading Bible passages that are outlined in my Bible study, so I want to focus on reading through certain books of the Bible this year. What are some of your favorite books of the Bible?

5. Attend a book club meeting
     *There are a couple of book clubs in my area, but I haven't yet gotten up the courage to attend one.  My introversion gets the best of me and I get intimidated about being in groups of people where I don't know anyone.  I think if I could find someone that I knew to go along with me I would feel more comfortable.  Any takers (in the Cairo area)?

Other Goals:
1. Post on the blog at least once a week
    *I think one of the reasons I got burnt out on my blog last summer was because I demanded too much of myself and felt like I needed to write posts at least 5 times a week.  I realize now that this is just not feasible for me, and I don't want to feel like this blog is just one huge obligation.  So I am only setting a limit of at least once a week.  Hopefully I can find 1 thing a week that is interesting enough to post about! :)
As you can see, my blog posts over the last 2 years became fewer and fewer.

2. Attempt to make more friends around south Georgia.  
     *As I mentioned above, I'm an introvert by nature, so putting myself out there with people I don't know makes me a little anxious.  I want to try to meet more people around Cairo and focus on deepening relationships with people I already know down here.
 
3. Make more of an effort to communicate with my family. 
     *I used to be pretty good about maintaining contact with my family, but I destroyed my iPhone this summer and my replacement phones have not been group message and picture message compatible.  Hopefully that'll change when I get my new iPhone in April, though I want to make more of an effort now to let those that I love know that I'm thinking about them and care about how they're doing.

4.  Be more committed to doctors/wellness visits
     *I'd like to be more committed to going for yearly physicals, dentist visits, dermatologist check ups, etc this year.  I pay for insurance which rewards me for preventative care, so I need to take advantage of that.  I just haaaaate going to the doctor/dentist!

So what do you guys think?  Would you help keep me accountable?  Any advice for sticking to your goals?