A Slow Beginning in the Neighborhood

This evening, I decided to take a quick walk after coming home from work to get in the steps to make my daily goal and take advantage of the pleasant January weather.  I started alow because I was still a little sore and stiff from yesterday's pool aerobic workout.  I took a route close to home so I could walk and get home before dark.  As I walked up a slight hill, I was approaching an older woman walking her 2 dogs.  The dogs weren't big and didn't seem threatening or overly aggressive, so I didn't break my stride and continued on my path.  Well, the lady made what I thought was an unusual move - she stepped off the sidewalk and made both her dogs sit in place.  As I passed her, I looked over my shoulder to see if she and her dogs were still in that same spot or if she had moved on.  Well, not surprisingly, the lady didn't move - she continued to watch me  until I turned the corner - I guess to make certain this black woman dressed in typical exercise wear wouldn't double back and try to do her harm.  The area where I was walking is alongside a relatively busy main thoroughfare.  Additionally, the lady had the advantage of having the 2 dogs with her that she could sic on me.  At first, I thought to double back and graciously tell the woman she had nothing to fear about me. On 2nd thought, I chose not to because she may feel 'threatened' by my presence.  What was funny (at least to me) is that I saw the same woman on my way back home.  This time she started to turn.   As she slowly walking away, she looked over her shoulder to watch me.  I just shook my head in dismay.

Despite this woman's not so subtle actions, I met my step goal - even exceeded it.  No turning around.

REFLECTIONS

About this time last year (2012), I had a few goals for myself:

1) Lose 50 lbs
2) Look absolutely sexy in my Rock N Roll Goddess outfit
3) Sustain a sub-14:00/mi pace
4) Finish a marathon
5) Learn to swim

With a new year upon us, I'm taking a few moments to reflect on these goals:

1) Lose 50 lbs - I didn't, but I have managed to keep off 15 lbs since the beginning of 2013 when I joined Weight Watchers.  

2) Look absolutely sexy in my Rock N Roll Goddess outfit - Well, since I didn't achieve #1, I haven't attempted to try on this 'little' outfit.


3) Sustain a sub-14:00/mi pace - Serious knee problems during the year (coupled with the lack of weight loss) has not allowed to me attain this goal. 

4) Finish a marathon - I started training to run a half marathon in September (and even considered completing a 'trifecta' - 3 halfs in 3 months), but I had to cut my training short and do therapy due to my knee problems.  So finishing a marathon was not likely this year.

5) Learn to swim - Lessons at the Y aren't cheap (about $100 for members), but still I could have. Given the problems with my knees, this would have been a great workout alternative.

Conventional wisdom tells us to succeed at achieving goals a person may make those goals specific and achievable.  With the exceptions of #3 and #4, these goals would be achievable for me.  So how did I fail?  Another tip of conventional wisdom is to develop a plan to take on your goal. I had plans to achieve the remaining 3 (I joined Weight Watchers to lose weight and I joined the Y so I could get swim lessons at a reduced rate).  But I was not consistent in executing my plan(s).  Admitting to your defeats doesn't make you a failure - it makes you stronger and prepared for greater rewards!