Welcome to Friday Free-For-All, where I talk about anything and everything on my mind. This is usually just a great big brain dump, so brace yourselves!
Blog giveaways are awesome–especially when you win! A couple of weeks ago, I won a fuel sample pack from Danielle at Live Run Grow. I’m still working my way through the goodies! And then last week, I won a Strut Your Stuff Sign Co medal and bib holder from Jess Runs Happy! It came in the mail on Monday and I cannot wait to hang it up in our bedroom and put my medal and bib from Sunday’s half on it 😀
Every day for the rest of November, I’m gonna post something I’m grateful for on Twitter. Two of my favorite blogs, Running Around the Bend, and Run Away With Me, are doing variations of Thankfulness posts throughout November, and it totally inspired me. The holidays can be really busy, stressful times, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and “Oh my gosh only xx shopping days left!” I want to remember that the real focus of the holiday season should be friends, family, and being thankful for all of our blessings. I’ll be posting once per day, and I encourage you to join me. I’m not using any special hashtags or anything, but feel free to tag me if you’d like to participate (@raeisadarlin).
I need a new goal. My goal all spring was to finish a half marathon, and I did it. My goal all summer was to hit a sub 2:30 half marathon, and I did it. I’ve also accomplished a sub-30 5k, and a sub-hour 10k. I’ve hit a bunch of great milestones this year, and now I need to figure out what’s next. I’ve already talked about how I’ll be backing off on distance racing for a while and focusing on shorter distances, but I still want to have a concrete goal to keep me motivated. I’ll be pondering this in the coming weeks, so that I can hopefully come up with something before Christmas. I definitely need to have a goal or else training is just gonna go right out the window.
What’s your next big goal?
Do you have a medal/bib rack?
Darlin' Rae 
What about a mileage goal, like running ten miles a week? Or if you want a time goal, how about focusing on a short distance, like PRing in the mile?
My next big goal? Get through another freaking winter full of snow and wind and -20F temperatures. Yuck. 🙂
Thanks for the shout-out, and despite the complaint I am forever grateful for the ability to go out and run – even in miserable conditions.
I want a medal/bib rack!!!! Lucky you!
Thanks, I feel super lucky! You should check out the company on Etsy, they have all kinds and they’re really nice.
Yes yes! When you achieve your goals, you have to create new ones! I’m glad you achieved what you wanted to do this year! I’m the same way – I need to have my eye on something in order to keep myself motivated. I did achieve some of my earlier goals for this year (sub-1:50 half marathon, and sub-24 5k) but didn’t get my sub-1:45 half for this season and at this point I’m not sure how possible a sub-4 marathon is next month (still trying to remain optimistic though!). However, if those don’t pan out, there’s always next year for that right? 😀
Exactly! I wish you all the best in achieving your marathon goal. You’ve been putting in the work, and I’m sure it will pay off.
Goals are key! I still want to get my 5K PR under 30 minutes, but haven’t been feeling motivated post-half marathon. Next week I’m hoping to get back into the swing of things. Would you want to get your 5K or 10K times even lower? Or aim for a certain number of miles per month/year?
I have a medal/bib rack and I love it! It’s pretty similar to the one in your photo, except that it just says “running.” It makes me smile though 🙂
I love the thankful tweeting idea! I may tag along!
I may go for a sub 29 5k first, and after that see how low I can get my 10k time. I will also most likely have monthly and yearly mileage goals for 2015, and I can’t believe how quickly the new year is coming up! Ahhh!
Very cool medal holder! I bought mine in New Orleans after a half marathon a few years ago. I bought a 3 hook fleur de lis coat rack for cheap in the french market. It works great!
Congrats on all your goal reaching! I did the same with PRs in the 5k, 10k and 13.1 races this fall. I’m now going to go for more!
You’ve had a great year for running, my friend! And your medal holder sounds awesome–I love the fleur de lis.
I want a bib/medal rack for xmas. COUGH SANTA COUGH. I realllly like that one. I might copy you so that we can be awesomesauce together.
Do iiiiiit!
Awesome! I love the display. I am in the middle of making something similar.
My next big goal = 10 miler!
Nice job in hitting those goals! My goal for the remainder of the year is to run consistently to build up a nice base for training early next year. But my two BIG goals are to run a sub-2 hour half and run a marathon for the first time. Here’s to 2015!
Woohoo! Those are excellent goals.
I love the thankful thing idea, I’m gonna try to get at least one thankful post up before thanksgiving.
As far as goals, I don’t have a race, distance, or time goal in mind right now. While I’m thinking about it and seeing what tickles my fancy, I’m planning on doing the runner’s world holiday running streak. I had a lot of fun with it last year, so I’m looking forward to doing it again.
Oo I’ll have to look into that. I’ve never done a streak before.