A GIFT OF FITNESS.

That's one of the gifts I got for Christmas. Ironically, all the years I have been running or doing tris, do I get anything related to either from my family? Noooo. But I usually do get something along those lines from people I work with. This year was no exception.

One of the gifts was a "Gift of Fitness" which included three 5k race entries for 2008, a nice long sleeved T shirt, a discount coupon for one of two other 2008 races, and a 15% off coupon for shoes at the particular running store, Gazelle Sports.

I used my $5 off coupon for yesterday's race. But it got me thinking about goals for 2008.

Originally, I had all these grandiose ideas of things I wanted to do for 2008, but its looking like my first 2 months of the year will be altered due to Don's injury. Much as I wanted to do either the Missippi Blues half marathon or the Phoenix Rock N'Roll half, traveling right now is out of the question. Possibly in February, so Austin still is a possibility.

But with these three 5k race entries, it got me thinking more and more to trying to not just get by in my races this year but to actually attempt to be competitive again. Yesterday's race was a beginning, but looking back only 2 years, I see how far I have slipped in my competitiveness. I have SO much work to do if I really want to get my 5k times down. I don't expect to come close to anything I did even 5 years ago, but I thinkI can manage going back 2 or 3 years--with a LOT of work.

And I have to admit, I really prefer the shorter, faster distances, mainly because of the good feelings I have after. The longer, slower distances seem more suited for me because I really can go for a long time without running out of steam. But they do not satisfy my desire of accomplishment. Does this make sense??

So right now, I am re-evaluating my plans for 2008. I don't know where this will be going, but I do know I will be doing something!