Real David H.

January hasn’t been the best month when it comes to overall health and how I feel with my fitness, but I can’t complain either. I finished the Disney Marathon, far and away the best non-racing race experience of my life. When something like that happens, I have no reason to look at anything negative from the first 31 days of the year.

As promised, I’m going to check in at the end of each month with my 13 goals for 2013, giving updates where necessary and giving additional thoughts when they come up. Here’s a look at how things stand after 31 days:

1. 5k PR – official or unofficial
I won’t focus on this until late spring early/early summer.

2. Run at least 2 races I’ve never done before
One down with Disney! There’s nothing on tap yet to cross this off anytime soon, but I hope to tackle a new race this summer besides being signed up for the Richmond Half in November.

3. Run a 5k – official or unofficial – with my friend Brandon
I’m trying to make plans to visit him this spring. He better be ready to run.

4. 50 consecutive push-ups
I’ve done quite a few push-ups this month, but only attempted a max once, hitting 22. As long as I continue to do push-ups and other strength training, I think I can get to this mid-year.

5. Ride at least 200 miles
So far a good 0 miles. My bike is still not with me in Richmond yet.

6. Weigh in at less than 180
This is something that’ll take some work. I’ve had better moments with eating this month, so I hope this starts to pay off in February.

7. Do a plank at least once a week
Right on target.

8. Run a race without a watch
I ran Disney watchless, but I did have my phone that had text alerts on 3 timing mats. It wasn’t a race for pace or time though, so this is kind of sort of marked off. I will say that going 26.2 miles without a watch was much easier than I thought it would be.

9. Run with my sister Heather
This should happen very soon.

10. Do an exercise at least once per month that I haven’t done the rest of the year
This doesn’t really start until February, but I’m excited to try new things.

11. Eat at least one salad per week
Easily on track for this.

12. Limit myself to one soft drink a month
I had a Coke on Jan. 1 at a stop on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I’ve had no cravings at all since then, but I’ll admit that I’m plotting out the best day in February to have something.

13. Run ON the beach
Whether this is Shamrock weekend or this summer, I’m really looking forward to this one.