As you say hello to 2008, the big question is, Do you make resolutions? 

There are two schools of thought on resolutions. One, don't make them. You'll just break them, and that will make you more hesitant to set goals in the future. Who needs the disappointment? 

Two, make resolutions. The process allows you to focus and implement strategies to meet your goals as the year progresses.

I say, Go ahead and make 'em. But don't make them crazy. Be realistic. Put a "B" list in place for when you meet or exceed the "A" resolutions. 

Resolutions and goals are important to us as athletes, even if they change in intensity or difficulty as we get older. For most of my clients, they do their best and most committed work when they have races to train for and goals to meet at the outset of the year. 

Resolutions can be especially important in the early months of the year if you happen to live in a cold, snowy climate. It can be hard to get yourself out to train in difficult weather when you don't have something you are working toward. Races to train for and target times allow you to stay connected to how what you are doing in the moment will affect your longterm outcome. You need to stay connected to your long term goal. That is where many folks will fall off and break a resolution: They lose contact with the goal.

For me, I am healthy and rested going into 2008. One goal of mine is to get my 5k time back to where it was before I was hit with plantar fasciitis and anemia, in succession. I have about 60 to 70 seconds to chop off. And that is substantial. But I want it... And I am willing to do the work my coach gives me to get there. I want to feel that speed in my body again.

I also have vowed to spend more time on the bike this year. Every year I have spent doing base and intervals in the off season, has netted me greater results in my running than the years I decided to forgo the bike training. Plus I really love riding. And I missed it this year when it fell by the wayside and was replaced by other things I didn't enjoy nearly as much.

Taking care of myself is always a big priority. But I slipped a little last year. I neglected to give myself the rest I needed and pushed through some things I shouldn't have. This year, I start rested and will stay balanced in my work and rest so that I can train hard, rest hard and get good results from that training. I will sleep enough, continue to eat right and treat my body with respect so that it can help me reach the athletic goals I have set for myself this year.

And finally and perhaps most importantly, I resolve to plug into the joy of my athletics; of the peace that comes at the end of a hard workout, when those endorphins are flowing!

I also resolve to be grateful that my body gets stronger and my brain seems to get smarter as the years go by and I get older.  I just turned 43 this past Dec 20th.  And I wouldn't be a day younger for all the money in the world.  I feel deep gratitude for the wonderful people and opportunities I have in my life, and I want to stay connected to that as 2008 goes along.  I have so much to be thankful for.

If you'd like, take some time and share your resolutions with me.  Email me and if you have any questions you would like answered either here or in the article I write, please feel free to send them along.

Happy New Year to all you Masters athletes, senior athletes and geezerjocks out there!