I am more and more realizing that fitness is what provides the foundation for whitespace in my life, and I have discovered this as I’ve worked my way through training for my first marathon and writing about it. When I pay attention to my health and fitness, I am generally a happy person in other areas of my life. If you have been a long time follower of my blog, you have probably noticed my blog posts have been leaning toward health and fitness and the lessons learned through fitness, how it can improve our lives inside and out. I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
All my life I have been a very active person, preferring the outdoors to the indoors on most days, and preferring activities that involve movement over those that don’t. I need to move. My brain functions better when I have had more movement throughout the day, my emotions become stabilized and I have a stronger sense of well being overall when I keep movement in my life. Fitness is fun!! For me, fitness activities bring out the child in me and it feels like I’m playing when I’m participating in fitness activities.
I might look serious here, but I was really making a goofy face. I love to have fun when I’m participating in fitness activities
As I have been looking around at other fitness blogs, one thing I’ve noticed is all the goal setting these bloggers do. As you know, I have a definite goal, one that hopefully I will achieve in October, but as I approach that date, I realize I need to set other goals. Otherwise, when the marathon comes and goes, I will be sitting there with nothing in front of me. It’s important when you have a big goal that you are reaching for, that you realize that when you’ve reached it, afterwards, you can develop “the blues.” All the time you invested into that goal and all the energy, now has nothing or nowhere to be invested in. It’s not post-partum depression, but maybe it’s post-event depression. I don’t want that to happen to me. So, I’ve been thinking about my goals and I want to share them with you. I guess this is also sort of my fitness plan leading up to the marathon and then just beyond.
Current Running Goals
- September 15: Run 15 miles
- September 22: Run 23 miles
- September 29: Run 18 miles
- October 6: Run 26 miles
- October 13: Run 18 miles
- October 20: Run 3 miles
- October 21 (Columbus Marathon): Run 26 miles
Current Weight Lifting Goals
There’s me lifting that 500 pound log again. Not! 
Just yet, I don’t have any weight lifting goals per se, because I’ve only been doing this one week and I don’t know enough yet to know what type of goals I should be setting. However, I do plan on, at this point, changing up my routine every six weeks. So, based on this, my main goals for weight lifting is this:
- September 14: Fat check! I will use the bod pod to get my baseline fat percentage. You would be surprised how much fat I have on my body, even though I run and look thin. I am excited about bringing this down and letting my muscles show through. I don’t want to be skinny-fat anymore!!
- October 13: The end of my first 6-week stint of weight lifting.
- November 24: The end of my second 6-week stint of weight lifting, this time, a new routine.
- November 26-30: During this week, I want to go back to the bod pod to see how much I have improved!!
Fitness Learning Goals
October 31: Sometime after my first marathon, but before the end of the month, I will register as a personal training student. I don’t know how long this will take yet, but this is when I want to get started on at least studying for it. I am very excited about this. This is a big goal for me, and one which will take the place of marathon training. I won’t stop running, but this will be a good one to keep my mind busy in the aftermath of the marathon, so I don’t develop post-event blues.
So, there you have it!
What goals have you been working on to give you more whitespace in life? Are they fitness related? Family related? Self-development goals?
My goals have been pretty simple since I’m trying to get my mileage back up. I made it three miles yesterday, but definitely felt some residiual pain from the injury. It’s a great idea to “ladder” your goals so you continuously have something to strive for!
Hi Dan! Thanks for stopping by.
I know after I broke my ankle, it took time for me to get over the residual pain. But one thing that was harder to get over was the mental fear of breaking my ankle again. It took me a while not to panic about every little twinge my ankles might have felt. Hopefully, you don’t have to go through that.
Goal setting is so important in whatever challenge you undertake. You sound so excited about yours! I’m excited for you too.
Aww, thanks Janelle. I am excited! But for now, my main focus is set on the marathon.
I think I could definitely do with setting some more goals. I tend to just see the end product of a massive project as the goal, when really this is too overwhelming and I’m more likely to give up. So I could definitely do with breaking the main goal down.
Love the photo of you lifting the log!
Pretty funny photo huh?!
Yeah, breaking a big goal into smaller steps is definitely the best way to reach the ultimate goal. Makes it more attainable.
Gosh. I do admire your goals and direction my friend. I love the laddering concept. I compete with myself all the time so that fits well with me. I have been a list maker and a goal-setter for what seems like forever. My goals are pretty simple in all respects: 1. To move everyday and keep at it. That means to walk at least 2 miles a day and do some light weight training. 2. to have a successful blog. 3. Learn how to balance my blogging, drawing, marketing and personal life so it works for all. You asked… LOL
and thanks for tweeting it too! I have to get back on the twitter bandwagon.
I never referred to it as laddering, but yeah, that’s exactly what it is. It is inherent in marathon training but it makes sense to do it with any goal.
And I like your goals, and it seems to me you are doing a pretty good job of number 2. You are the judge for the other ones.
Awe man… now I really HAVE to set some goals. Not the ‘some day’ goals, but the actual goals you put some real work toward – like you and your marathon.
I also really need that email subscribe because here I am late to the party again.
I tried to do the email thing but all that showed up was those reader things. I’m just going to google this and get ‘er done.
Yeah yeah, set some goals and then blog about them so I can see.
I love your site, Bethany.. seriously need to redo mine again sometime soon to make it cleaner – this is just so nice to read
And LOVE the header.
So happy about the lifting goals! And yours pics are super cute
I enjoy reading your articles – thank you.
Thanks John for stopping by and leaving that unexpected comment.
Awesome again. I find all your goals very inspiring. The best that I ever did was 12 miles and that too because we had to pass the test every 6 months. And oh yes we had to run in full battle order with a rifle too
Cheers
Dilip! Were you in the military? 12 miles is great whether you had to do it for a test or on your own. Pretty cool!! I’m not sure I could do that in full battle gear and a rifle on my back too. Whew!
Ya Bethany I and a long and wonderful innings in the Army. And reading your running goals I am inspired.
Cheers & best!
You’ve chalked out your goals so meticulously and what is more you are making sure you keep them. I had chalked out similar goals but could not keep pace.
However, now I have entered in the Dream Run for the Mumbai Marathon next year, which is a short run of appx 4 miles. Let us see how I fare. At least, I have begun with brisk walks and jogs over the weekend and am sticking to this schedule. Keep inspiring us, Bethany.
That log pic… I love it!
I’m so glad you have fitness goals you are excited about. Especially pumped you found joy in lifting, because I love spreading the good word. You go!
In late 2004, just before I turned 30, I started a life goals list which later became the basis of this site. My intention is to accomplish all my goals in ten years, just before I turn 40.
Wow! I wish I would have done that when I was 30. I’m also approaching forty and I’m just getting started. I will have to stop by and see what you have accomplished. Thanks for stopping in.