Not Wrong, Just Different - Sole Sister Goals for 2013

by Jodi

beautiful view from Parrett Mountain near Newberg, OR
Photo courtesy of Jodi Stilp Photography

 If you've read our blog even a little it's probably apparent that we approach running from very different perspectives.

Carissa is driven by numbers.  She loves research, training schedules, paces, speed, distances, and anything that can be tracked on her Garmin.  Carissa trains to race.  She always wants to run faster, stronger, and smarter and wouldn't be content with a race if it wasn't a personal record (PR).  Her drive and competitive edge continue to propel her deeper into the racing world and she is becoming very successful.

Tanya runs to stay healthy.  She is quietly competitive - primarily against herself - and processes her running more internally and privately.  She raced several 10k's this year that Carissa and I knew nothing about because she just doesn't tell anyone when she's racing.  Getting a finishing time out of her is like pulling teeth - even though she's very fast - especially at the 10k distance. Tanya does not own a Garmin, has never recorded her splits, and enjoys being surprised at her finishing times at a race. Tanya has battled several persistent injuries this year, but she is committed to staying active and finding joy in exercise even when she isn't able to run.

I (Jodi) fall somewhere in the middle.  I prefer to run for the simple pleasure of feeling the wind on my face and the sweat on my brow, but I am learning to appreciate the speed that comes with following a training schedule.  I love the thrill of racing, but don't like to be tied down to a specific time goal.  I don't like speed work or research, so I rely on Carissa to tell me everything she learns and how fast to run when we're on the same training schedule.   I will choose a tough, quiet climb up a mountain over a flat, fast run through the city nine out of ten times.

Three very different approaches to running and training.  The beauty of it?  None of them are wrong.  They're just different.  Carissa, Tanya and I learn from each other.  We appreciate the varying perspectives we offer and giggle at how vastly different we are.

It's not surprising that our fitness goals for 2013 are also varied.  Carissa's goals are precise, specific, and pace/performance based.  Tanya's list is focused more on general health and mental well being.  My goals are a little vague and somewhat undefined, giving me flexibility to morph with them as the year develops.

Favorite meadow on my mountain run.  And look at that winter sunshine!
Photo courtesy of Jodi Stilp Photography

Tanya's 2013 Goals

• Continue in Physical Therapy until the reason why I have various body pain and injury most of the time is discovered and corrected.
• Maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
• Continue to enjoy various types of exercise and maintain motivation just because working up any kind of a sweat daily makes me feel good.
• Enjoy the company and fellowship of friends and family during fitness activities.
• Encourage and support others to stay healthy and active.
• Get outside and enjoy nature as much as possible.
• Run for the love of running when my body allows.
• Stay positive and grateful everyday.

Jodi's 2013 Goals

• Run a marathon with negative splits.  I'd love to kick it the last six miles instead of die a slow, painful death every step of the last 10k.  I'd also love to finish as close to 3:30 as possible.
• Run a half marathon with my husband.  I know he can cover the distance.  I just have to convince him to want to.
• Run a 10k with my 10-year-old, determined and competitive daughter.
• Run a 5k race as a family.
• Race another half marathon and try to PR.
• Complete another round of Insanity.
• Be more consistent with strength training and stretching (yoga).
• MAYBE (that's a very loose maybe) complete another triathlon.  
• Continue to take time to see the beauty that abounds and stop to photograph it.

Carissa's 2013 Goals

• Run Boston Marathon with a target goal of 3:20.
• Run a fall marathon and set another Personal Record (PR).
• Break 1:30 in the half marathon.
• Complete a summer triathlon.
• Most importantly... the purpose of my running is the joy of running fast, strong, and the pursuit of discovering my unique personal best within the time constraints of my top priority: my family.

cool shadows on a mountain run near Newberg, OR
Photo courtesy of Jodi Stilp Photography

Now you know our goals.  What are yours?  

Running through life.... together,

Tanya, Jodi and Carissa