The word “resolution” has gotten a negative connotation in recent years — almost as if making “resolutions” guarantees that you won’t follow through. I don’t really buy that, though. “Resolution” is just another word for “goal,” and I’ve got several goals I want to accomplish in 2016, so I’m embracing the term.

Here are my big goals for 2016:

1. Get my gut health straightened out. This is the most awkward of my resolutions, so I’ll start with it and get it out of the way. I  don’t talk about this much here (because who wants to read it?), but long-time readers have likely read about my gut issues ruining a great race and about at least one of my attempts to fix them. I’m sick of not feeling well, and of being told by doctors, “You have IBS and you just have to deal with it,” so I’m determined this year to get it straightened out. Anybody have any recommendations for good GI doctors in Colorado?
2. Write every day. Every year — okay, every month or two — I make a goal to write more. “More” is too general, so this time I’m being specific.  I will write every day in 2016, even if it’s just for five minutes. Of course, the vast majority of that writing will be in my personal journal or another place that nobody but me will see, but that’s okay. Writing is writing, and if I want to get better at it, I need to do it consistently. On a related note…
3. Keep a daily gratitude journal. I’ve read a lot about gratitude journals and how they help people keep a more positive outlook on life. A sentence or two a day doesn’t seem like much work to increase positivity, right?
4. Do yoga at least twice a week. This is another goal I make often, but I usually make it too general — “Do yoga more.” As with the writing goal, then, I’m making a more specific and measurable goal. My flexibility is pretty terrible, and let’s face it: it’s not going to get any better as I get older unless I really work on it. Yoga has so many other benefits, physical and mental, that I really want to commit to doing it regularly.

   

   And one more general goal:

5. Have as many outdoor adventures as possible, including trying new things. I love to camp, hike, snowshoe, and trail run, so I plan to  do those things as often as possible.  I also want to expand my horizons and try things I’ve never done. Cross-country skiing? Stand-up paddleboarding? Backpacking?  Rock climbing? I don’t know, but I’m willing to try just about anything!

   

You’ll notice that none of my resolutions are running-specific. That’s because I’m not sure yet what my running goals are for 2016, and I certainly didn’t want to rush into any just for the sake of a blog post. I  do know I don’t want to run a spring marathon this year, because El Nino. Here are some races I’m eyeing right now; let me know if you’ve got any experience with or thoughts on them!

• Horsetooth Half Marathon. This one’s a long shot because the timing isn’t great for me, but if it works out, I’d love to do it.
• Run to the Shrine. This is a 10k in Colorado Springs that runs up a mountain for four miles, then back down for two. I’ve run it twice, and it’s an incredible challenge with beautiful views, followed by a free day at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Again, I’m not sure about the timing, but it’s on my short list, for sure.
• Skirt Sports 13er.  I got a free entry to this race last year and ran it as a training run… and was reminded that I despise running races as training runs. I’d like to go back this year and actually race it. Plus, I applied to be a Skirt Sports ambassador, so fingers crossed that I’ll be running it as an ambassador!
• Chase the Moon. Because it’s so much fun. I’m toying with the idea of running with a three-person team (instead of five like the last two years) or even, if I’m really brave, running it solo. I don’t know if I’m ready for a 12-hour solo run, though… which brings me to…
• Tommyknocker Ultramarathon 12-Hour. I just read about this one yesterday, and it sounds like a blast. After every lap, runners draw a ball from a bin, and the color of the ball determines the loop they run next. It sounds fun, but again, 12 hours of running is fairly terrifying.

Obviously there are tons of races out there, so these maybe-runs might change. I’m open to suggestions! Whatever happens, I’m really looking forward to 2016 being a great year.

What are your goals/resolutions/plans for 2016?

Any suggestions for outdoor adventures and/or races? Anybody want to go adventuring with me?