Resolutions?

A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project, to reforming a habit, or to a lifestyle change. Most people do not think about these resolutions until about a week before the New Year. “"I haven't thought of one yet!” comments the reigning DII indoor pole vaulting Champion, Minnesota State-Mankato’s Katelin Rains. Don’t worry; there is plenty of time to think of a resolution. You can always go with the old standbys, like saving money, paying off debts, losing weight, getting fit or eating right. But, one should not pick out a resolution haphazardly; a resolution should be more personal.

Many choose a resolution to avoid hardship based on the previous year’s experiences, such as remembering to look behind you before you back up the car, always double knotting your spikes before a race, or perhaps always checking your bag before heading to cross country meet to make sure you have your uniform. These types of experience based resolutions can save you a lot of headaches. Current DII Cross Country Champion, Seattle Pacific’s Jessica Pixler, has chosen to save herself some late nights by “Not writing any essays the night before they are due,” she explains. 

A resolution based on an attitude change can also be a very good idea. The attitude change can improve other parts of your life. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs' Shannon Payne is thinking just that. "I resolve to not be a doubter" she says.

One of the other types of resolutions is, of course, the improvement upon previous resolutions. As runners, it is ingrained in our nature to set resolutions focused on new training and racing goals.  We aim to achieve new personal records, to become stronger, faster, and to essentially become better runners than the year before. These types of resolutions can be focused on improving on what you have already achieved, as well as learning a new skill. California University of Pennsylvania’s Chris Clark is determined to do just that. Jokingly, Clark explains, “[I resolve to] improve my Irish accent because Coach Caulfield tells me all the time how bad it is [and to] become better at the guitar thus becoming better at wooing women.”

So whatever your resolution is, I wish you the best of luck with it. I hope this upcoming year will bring you plenty of personal records and many good memories. As usual, I encourage you to comment and to post your New Year’s resolution.

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#4	Cara Hawkins   December 30, 2008 at 3:43pm Please Allison! reply
#3	Ryan Parker   December 30, 2008 at 10:08am Dear Allison, That is a resolution long overdue. Sincerely, Ryan reply
#2	Allison Palmer   December 30, 2008 at 9:21am Thank you, Cara for the inspiration. This year, I will use more deodorant. reply
#1	Ryan Parker   December 30, 2008 at 7:06am I know that a lot of people have resolutions to set a PR, hit a national standard, make the NCAA's, etc. but I feel that having a resolution like that is leaving too much up to chance. Even if you are in the shape to do it, bad weather or a set of slow-paced races could ruin everything you have worked for all year. As runners our goals need to be kept within the realm of our control, and to focus on the things that we can change. For example, my resolution is to average a certain number of miles per week for the entire year. Although that doesn't guarantee me a PR, I know that with the exception of something unforeseen, such as injury or illness, I will be giving myself the chance to run the times that I would like. Happy New Year! reply