Personal Best asked some of the athletes we have profiled over the last year to share their New Year’s resolutions. This is one survey of resolutions where you won’t find “work out more” or “join a gym.” – Cathy Gainor
Rick Amernick, McLean runner, 36
To continue maintaining good physical and mental health while improving overall fitness, along with expanding and supporting the mission of the D.C. Capital Striders Running Group.
Jeff Bedell, Arlington runner, 41
Keep healthy, run faster and beat the mayor. I found myself running next to Mayor Adrian Fenty twice this past year — in the St. Patrick’s Day 8K and the Jingle All the Way 10K — and in both races, he finished ahead of me. He is pretty quick and paces himself well, starting slowly and finishing strong. Of course, he has no idea who I am, but I figure it is a goal. …
2nd Lt. Bruce Blechl, Fairfax police officer, 40
I suppose my New Year’s resolution is to spend more time in the pool and weight room and less time in the kitchen eating. The holiday season food was a little too tempting to pass up, so now it is time to pay the piper. I’ve registered for my first-ever triathlon, the Reston Triathlon, and am perusing the 2010 racing calendar. My hope is to be in excellent shape come the 2011 World Police & Fire Games in New York City. I plan on competing in the cross-country and triathlon events there, so I have a solid 20 months to get ready.
Steve Chaconas, Mount Vernon fisher, 53
I don’t really make resolutions. To me that’s for people trying to quit smoking, lose weight or join a health club. However, I do make plans. My plan for next year is to introduce more kids to the sport of fishing, primarily through the Future Fisherman Foundation.
Scott Fuller, Arlington runner, 30
Last year, my goal was to run a half-marathon, which was accomplished and more. This year, I am targeting two possible goals: to complete a triathlon or regularly bike to work. But it is so very hard to commit to these right now in the dead of winter.
Instead, I am focusing on one and one only New Year’s resolution: I will exercise every morning before work.
My marathon training kept me motivated and active, and in a weird way it was easier to stay disciplined with such a lofty goal in mind than it was when there was no concrete end in sight. So, I am vowing to keep a regular morning schedule, not hitting the snooze button 20 times, and get a little sweat out every morning, if only for a bit (because it’s so hard to battle after-work inertia … ).
Whether this morning routine will include triathlon training or bicycle commuting I have yet to say, but what’s important is that in 2010 I will be up and at ’em.
Michelle Harburg, D.C. triathlete, 27
My New Year’s resolution is quite simple — to sleep more. I don’t get enough sleep and I figure this is because I go to bed and wake up at a different time every single day. Therefore, to coincide with my goal of sleeping more, I also plan to start getting into the habit of getting to bed on time.
Georgia Harris, 50, and Randy Motz, 59, Germantown hikers
Harris: Regular vigorous exercise so that we’re ready to do a backpacking trip on a moment’s notice (and enjoy it!)
Motz: To hike in at least six national parks that we have not yet been to
Kathy Kirmayer, Silver Spring swimmer, 45
1. Stop multitasking
2. Adopt bilateral breathing (breathing on both sides)
Tammy Massie, Germantown runner, 37
My resolution is to train more effectively and regularly so I can hopefully reduce my 100-miler time to sub-27 hours. Of course, this will include some additional core training (sit-ups) and arm strengthening exercises (push-ups). Perhaps this year I can keep up the sit-ups and push-ups for more than two weeks, as is historically the case. …
Van Moffatt, Chantilly triathlete, 44
To build on the training and experience I had at the Ironman World Championship, but refocus on the half-Ironman (70.3) distance to qualify for the 70.3 World Championship in Clearwater, Fla., in November. I am targeting 70.3 Providence, R.I., in July and 70.3 Syracuse, N.Y., in September as my qualifying races.
Rob Richardson, Gainesville triathlete, 38
I have three New Year’s resolutions for 2010: spend more time with my family (I’m taking a year off from triathlons); hopefully (repeat, hopefully) add to the family; and be a good training partner for a few close friends who are trying to qualify for Hawaii and the Boston marathons. It should be a fun year!
Shandra Richardson, Gainesville triathlete, 29
My New Year’s resolution for 2010 is to relax and hopefully have an addition to the Richardson family!
Cheryl Wagner, D.C. swimmer, 57
I hope to approach my swim training and racing (as well as life) more as a marathon, rather than a sprint. In other words, it’s better to show up and race uninjured than to be the fastest guy there.
