New Goals!

We’re gearing up for an active summer! Find out what my goals are for this year and the activities we have planned for our summer

Hello, fitness friends! Just a few updates on my personal fitness journey. I have been working toward new goals since the beginning of the month after taking May off of high-impact exercise (including running) to let the tendonitis in my my foot and leg heal up.

Physical therapy helped a TON and I am back to high-impact training and hopefully I can stay injury free for a long time!

I created some new goals to keep myself motivated to workout this summer. I always need things to work toward otherwise my training gets stagnant and I can get bored with exercise. Some of my new goals are:

• Get certified to teach yoga (July)
• Do some trail runs in the Black Hills this summer (all summer)
• Run a half-marathon (September or October)
• Do unassisted pull-ups (I’m almost there!…so close)
• Spend more time outdoors!!

Our facility is hosting a YogaFit Level 1, Level 2, and Senior yoga workshop this year! I am interested in teaching yoga strictly as it pertains to athletics and fitness – I won’t be incorporating any of the spiritual components of yoga in my practice or classes, similar to Kimberly Fowler’s approach.

Some may argue that this kind of yoga isn’t authentic, but I am taking this project in my own direction. After all, isn’t that what being yourself is all about?

Last week I officially completed my first week of half-marathon training! I decided to do a beginner’s training program since I had been off of running for a full month and I needed to take it a bit slower so I can focus on proper form and avoid injury.

Here’s what last week’s running looked like. I am also teaching Zumba 3 days a week and weight lifting @3 days per week, and trying to do yoga 1-2 days per week, so my fitness schedule is pretty busy these days!

I am devoting 3 days to running per week: a long run once per week to build endurance, and sprints, HIIT, hill repeats, or tempo runs the other 2 days so I can build my speed work and stamina.

We are also throwing in some family activities like 5K’s, biking, rollerblading, and hiking this summer that will keep things fun and varied. At some point we hope to do another obstacle race this year with a team of friends!

I am trying to decide between 2 half-marathons to do…one is in September and one is in October. The first half is in September 17th and is part of the Center of the Nation Marathon Series in the western states (this one would be in Belle Fourche, SD).

The one on October 6th is at Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota and it sounds like fun! They have a kids K race and shorter distances and a relay marathon so anyone can join in the event.

There are also some great trail runs in the Black Hills and other areas in Wyoming that I am hoping to jump on board with – trail running is a blast and better for my body than pounding pavement. Running trails give me an excuse to get outside more as well.

Between housework, blogging, and my fitness classes last summer I didn’t get outside much and I missed relaxing in the grass and sun. This year I am committing to doing outdoor fitness more and getting my kids to a park at least 3 times a week for sun and exercise.

My allergies have been kicking my butt lately, but it is still nice to be outside before the weather gets too hot.

What are some of your goals this summer?

Sarah Jane Parker

Sarah Jane Parker is the founder, recipe creator, and photographer behind The Fit Cookie. She’s a food allergy mom and healthy living blogger based in Wyoming. Sarah is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Certified Health Coach, Revolution Running certified running coach, and an ACE Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist