My year of failure.

2018 could be labeled my year of failure. I set a big goal and did not meet it. I set a word of the year and barely kept at it. But you know what? I learned a lot. I did some fun things and some not so fun things.

Fail.

What did I set as my big goal for 2018? To finish a marathon. I didn’t do that. Instead, I ran the half marathon on the Vegas strip at night and it was tons of fun and an experience I will never forget.

Of course, had I ran a marathon I wouldn’t forget that either but shit happens. Instead of dwelling, I took some time to mourn my failure and moved ahead.

More fail.

My word of 2018 was consistency. I was going to journal, blog, and workout consistently. About the only thing I did consistently was run, mostly. I had my ups and downs there too.

My journaling stopped pretty quickly. Although, I’ve been working on it more lately. I’m keeping it short and sweet and doing it when I do my training recap. Blogging? I was hit or miss. Although, I think I’m getting better.

What is on the plate for 2019?

I haven’t set too many goals yet for 2019. I plan to keep my read 52 books in the year. I surpassed that this year by a few books but I really liked the discipline of one book per week. Sometimes I got ahead and others I fell behind.

I want to keep working on my workout consistency and add in weight training. It was pretty spotty this year. I’ve got a good handle on running so it’s the perfect time to add another component. I also want to PR the half marathon I am doing in May. My goal is 2:20. I got myself a coach and feel quite focused and ready to tackle this!

I’m not giving up on the marathon goal yet. I am planning to try again with an early 2020 marathon, meaning my coach will be building up my base over 2019. I will then start training in mid-2019. My goal is to finish but my bonus goal is to break 5 hours. If I don’t, no biggie. I mainly want to finish.

Push.

Push. That’s my word for 2019. I want to push myself to be better. To finish my goals. To go further than I thought I could, both physically and mentally. I am also using this word in my business to push my photography and grow my skills.

I want to push through the depression that has taken over my life. I lost my beloved dog, my dad, and my Uncle since August. Every day is a struggle, some days are better than others. I am trying to surround myself with things and people I love and nurturing those things.

I am trying to move forward as best I can. And that’s all we can do.

What is your word and/or goals for 2019?

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Jenna

Jenna Volden has a degree in business and has spent the last 10 plus years working for others. She believes it is time to start her own photography and writing business. She enjoys running, coffee and helping others achieve their goals. Gluten-free foods are a lifestyle, not a choice, for her due to celiac disease. She is currently based in Phoenix, Arizona.