There are bunch of things I'd like to do this coming year. Not really resolutions, and I won't beat myself up if I don't do them but I thought it best to put them down somewhere. I might add to the list as the year progresses, and I might refer back to this in thoughts later on.
- Do something with The SideProject. More on that some time soon.
- The Oxford Half Marathon. Ideally in less than 100 minutes.
- Lose weight. I'd like to knock off 15kg.
- Play cricket. Five games, average 20.
- Walk more. I mainly want to run more, but also walk longer distances. Maybe the coastal path down south.
The SideProject
I'm hoping to build this along with Maddie, a designer at work. I played around with a few ideas and ways to make the thing work a few months ago and then lost momentum. I think some kind of schedule or plan would be good. Maybe an early stage release in February or March. But I'll write more about it when I'm set on how it's going to work.
The Oxford Half Marathon
It's been a few years since I've done a half marathon event. Last time I did I managed 1hr 42minutes or so and I'd like to shave a bit of time off that. I think, realistically, this will be the last time I get quicker (if I succeed!) so to get one done under 100 minutes would be really pleasing. The Oxford Half is in October. I'm pretty confident I can get back to managing a run for 13.1 miles but I really need to sort out my consistency, and my snacking.
Part of the success will be down to being more reliable with the Long Slow Run (LSR). I really enjoy them but lately I've struggled to be bothered. If I get back to the LSR then generally the next aim is much easier.
Lose weight
I've been trying to do this for a few months. I'm currently the wrong side of 100kg and I know I feel better when I'm much closer to 90kg. That there BMI thing tells me I should be nearer to 80kg but I think aiming for 90kg would be the mid term goal, see how I feel if I make it there. 80kg would almost certainly be too far.
I need to cut out extra chocolate. I eat too much of it, and when I drop the LSR mentioned earlier I just don't lose weight. So eating better, and moving more is my BIG PLAN. I've also added a little perk of each 1kg I drop, I put £10 into my SBATOL Fund (Stop Being A Tub Of Lard). The plan is to use the fund to buy a new cricket bat, so 15kg would be ideal. I think.
Play cricket
I love cricket. It's one of the greatest things in the world. I love watching it on TV, following it through BBC TMS in whatever way possible, and watching it at a very local level for 40 or 50 over matches in a village or wherever.
It's so peaceful and enjoyable.
My family are all involved in one way or another too, my wife and daughters play quite a bit and my son is a scorer, soon to be umpire.
I've played a handful of games over the last couple of seasons. I know I'm not great, but I would love to play more. It's been tricky lately because it takes up a lot of time, and with an active family who often need to be at matches at certain times, my availability is poor. AND I find it really difficult socially to join things like Net sessions. But, I have options for this coming season.
My aim isn't too high, as family life won't really allow it yet, but if I can manage five games and average 20 with the bat I will be happy with this season. It will also, hopefully, put me in a place where I'm part of a team and somewhere to settle for a few years of playing before age takes it away from me.
Averaging 20 will be an improvement on my current 16 though!
Walk more
The final one (although, as I said, I might come back and write more, add more) - I love trail running, into the woods and on the hills is great. I had this idea to run more trails around the country but I'm not sure I'm actually that bothered about doing it. I will when the chance comes up, but I don't think I'll make it an aim anymore. I've failed a few times before and I just don't think my hearts in it.
However, I would like to walk more. I have hopes of a decent walk with my Dad. It would be great to spend some time with him in that way, good for us both, I think. And I reckon a few days walking with Siân, maybe a hotel overnight somewhere on the Coastal Path in the south would work. Get some proper miles done.
This one also kind of ties into moving more, and a sub plot is to not drive to work, I can easily walk, run, bus and bike it. So no more lazy car journeys.
That's it for now. Nothing too grand. Other things will come up, I'm sure, and I'll add them here if they do. I'll also come back and update this post as the year goes on. I'm looking forward to it.