Stay MOTIVATED!

January 2012 Palo Alto, CA

Little girl passing me at the end of the run

Last year I had a master plan to run 2 5K races every month. I was able to do it and feel proud I met my goal. (The truth is that in October and December I only ran once, but I ran a 10K and an 11K to make up for that!)

January 2012 San Francisco, CA

Running around ATT Park

The hardest thing about running 2 races a month is I work 3 weekends most months and then I would have to run both days of my off weekend or hope there were 5 weekends of the month. Last year was dedicated to this goal and I was very happy to achieve it.

February 2012 Campbell, CA

Finish line

I was ready to give up every month. I was ready to give up every morning before I got up for the race. I was wouldn't have gotten up if I didn't have to pay for the race, two races were only $5, but the rest of them were between $25 and $50.

February 2012, Monterey, CA

Many people came in before me

 I was ready to give up when I hurt for a week after the first few races. I was ready to give up when I realized I had no life except getting ready for the next race or recovering from the last race. I was ready to give up many time, but I didn't give up. The last month I really wanted to give up,

March 2012, Oakland, CA

and couldn't figure out a reason to continue.

Ran around a lake

Even the people that had supported me all year were telling me I didn't need to continue. My last race was the first time I met anyone I knew that also ran with me. My daughter ran with me at first then we didn't have the same days we could run.

March 2012, Dublin, CA

Through the residential streets

I was glad I could accomplish this goal that I thought was impossible. At first I thought it was impossible for me to even finish a 5K race. Then I thought it was impossible to run 2 5K races a month. Then I thought it was impossible to do it every month,

April 2012, Morgan Hill CA

My daughter passed me up and left me in the dust

especially when I realized I worked 3 weekends a month. I went on vacation to Idaho in August and Arizona in November and I even found ways to do runs when I was on vacation, including on Thanksgiving Day.

April 2012, Cupertino, CA (easter)

Finish line

So, I know this is possible now, so I guess it isn't a challenge any more. I am starting to think about what I want to do this year. I sort of don't want to run because I have never enjoyed it. I do know that the running has helped me lose weight, so why stop!

May 2012, Palo Alto, CA

I often felt I was running alone

I was going to join a volleyball or softball league and get my exercise that way, but I know I would loose interest and end up dropping out. If I continue to run 5Ks I will not stay motivated because I had shown that I can do that.

May 2012, San Jose, CA

Running the same route I drive to work

My last race was a 10K in San Francisco and it was really hard for me to do. I walked as much as I ran and didn't get a very good time. Time has never been important to me it is more important to finish. Because it was in SF it was up steep hills and even stairs. I hurt for a week after that.

June 2012, Santa Cruz, CA

Running in the redwood forest

I think what I will do this year is run once a month and I will run a variety of different types of races. In February there is a half marathon that I may run. My coworkers, Army soldiers, will run only 5K that day, and I will try a half marathon. The 10K was twice as far as I had run before,

June 2012, San Francisco, CA

Monster hill at the end

half marathon is twice as far as the 10K. It will take me about 3 hours to run/ walk it. I will prepare for this run by going to the gym every day. I should probably run another 10K, which I might do instead. I like to do things I don't think I can.

July 2012, Redwood City, CA

Spectators were waiting for the parade

So, this year I will run another 5K if there is something fun like when I ran the parade route on the 4th of July or running around ATT Park or running along the ocean on one side and golf course on the other side. I will also run a 10K this year, but not up hills like the last one.

July 2012, Idaho

Couldn't always bound over the obstacles

I want to find one or two 10Ks that are in the forest or next to the ocean. I want to enjoy the scenery since I know I won't enjoy the the running. I will also run a half marathon, and even maybe a marathon. I know I can't run the whole distance, but I want to finish.

August 2012, Pacifica, CA

Cold day in August

I want to also run another extreme 5k which isn't really fun because once you run through the water you have rocks and sand in your shoes. This year I will wear two pairs of socks to provide more cushion.

August 2012, Hayward, CA

Running in the marshes next to SF bay

I will also run in one of the Color Me Rad races where they pour color powder on you to make the whole race more fun and adventurous. I usually try to take my camera, but I don't think I will run with it in that race.

September 2012, Burlingame, CA

Residential streets

I might do a marathon, or at least half of it. I tried to do the San Francisco Marathon this year but I was only going to run it in a unique "San Francisco" way where you run all except 5K before the day of the race and then run a 5K on the day of the race. I didn't do it this year because I had to work.

September 2012, Palo Alto, CA

At night pictures don't work well

I also want to do a night run this year. I did one last year and it was fun. This year I will try to get one of the headlights many people were wearing and that would be fun. I will also try to run in a different state like last year. Maybe in Nevada since I haven't run there yet.

October 2012, San Francisco, CA

I was the only one not in high school and came in last

I will also be concerned with which charity sponsoring the races this year. Last year I ran for Multiple Sclerosis in one of my races and I ran for a couple of schools.

November 2012, San Jose, CA

My longest race was 11K on 11-11

I will run for as many schools as I can this year. I will also run for anything that helps military families and I will run for women's issues since I have 3 daughter. I look forward to finding as many running adventures as I can that I haven't done before.

Running on Thanksgiving Day

November 2012, Phoenix, AZ

This is how I will stay motivated. I like to do things I haven't done before. That is how I stay motivated at work and in my life. I hope I can find a small group to run with me this year which will also help me stay motivated.

December 2012, San Francisco

Killer stairs!