Let's be SMART about this

As I've mentioned many times before, I work for a youth program.  We ask the people in the program to make learning objectives, and we ask them to make them SMART.  Being one to try to practice what I preach, I took a second look at my goals for the year and realized they are good, but they're not SMART. 

If you're not familiar with the acronym and are wondering what the heck I'm talking about, I'll explain. 

Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevant (or Realistic or Result-Oriented)
Timely

Looking at my running goals, I'd like to think that the first:  Finish the Vancouver Marathon faster than I finished the Victoria Marathon is pretty SMART.  It is somewhat specific, though I haven't said how much faster I want to finish, but I'll get more specific about that as race day gets closer.  It is measurable.  I'll either be faster, or I won't be.  I hope it's attainable.  I'll have more running experience and I'm hoping to run a better race mentally, but I'm starting with less of a base going into training.  It's relevant to me as a runner, and it goes without saying as these are 2011 goals, that I'm referring to the 2011 Vancouver Marathon (on May 1st).  If I want to get really detailed, I can say:  I will finish the Vancouver Marathon faster than I finished the Victoria Marathon by following a training plan with more weekly mileage (5 runs/week instead of 4), speed work and cross training for at least 30 minutes every week.

Actually, most of my running goals are pretty SMART.  But my diet and nutrition goals?  I'm leaving a lot of wiggle room for myself which doesn't usually add up to success.  Eat fruit every day?  A grape?  A banana?  3 servings?  What am I aiming for here?  I should say, eat at least one serving of fruit every day by always making sure there is a variety of fruit in the house, and eating it with my breakfast and/or for an afternoon snack.

Try at least 2 new recipes each month --> Make two new main course dinner recipes each month by organizing my weekly menu on Sunday and planning for the week ahead, using cookbooks from the library, my own cookbooks, and online resources.

Eat at least 3 meals a day (It's sad that I need to make a goal for this, but I do) --> Go to the kitchen in the morning to start the day with breakfast before going to the home office.  On busy days, set an alarm for lunch.  Prepare a balanced meal for dinner, by organizing my weekly menu on Sunday, planning for the week ahead, and leaving time in my schedule for grocery shopping.

I'm happy with my goals for the year, and will revisit them each month.  Monthly goals will be the baby steps in achieving the big goals. 

I started marathon training today, already shifting the running schedule around to fit with my work schedule.  I was excited to get started on the training plan, but my body was rebelling.  I took it slow and finished 5 easy miles.  It was a beautiful day, crisp but not cold, and there were a lot of other runners and walkers out and about which kept me going.  I'm always much less likely to walk if people are going to see me walking!