This summer has been one big party between trips and BBQs and nights out with friends.


Classic Metro shot with Megan before a night out in D.C. (photo from Megan)

I have been having an absolute blast, but my running has suffered a little bit.

Normally I spend my summer months hardcore training for fall races, but this summer I've backed off. I've been running when I can, fitting in some shorter mileage, and I've been happy with that.

But now that July is here and my schedule is hopefully going to settle down, I'd like to set some loose running goals.

July Running Goals:
Hit at least 15 miles each week. 
That's not a very big number, but I haven't been anywhere close to that lately.

Re-introduce weekend long runs.
It's been too long since I've done a dedicated weekend long run. Sometimes I fit in a quick three miler, but I want to get back up to 6, 8, and 10 milers. The key here will be to allow for flexibility. It doesn't matter to me if the long run happens on Saturday or Sunday. I'll play it by ear each weekend and make it fit where I can.

Find a better balance.
I tend to either be so dedicated to my running at the expense of a social life or so dedicated to my social life at the expense of my running and I want to find a happy medium. I'm hoping that by starting with lower mileage, I can adapt my life around my running, instead of diving head first into an intense training plan right off the bat.

Iron out my fall race schedule.
I have been waffling back and forth on several races for this fall. The only one I'm about 99% certain that I'm going to do is the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November. I'm also kicking around the Rock N Roll Half in Philly in September and a 10K in Maryland the week after Labor Day as well as some other things throughout the fall. For some reason, I just can't make myself commit to anything. (I'm sure there's a mildly inappropriate joke in there somewhere.) I want to have my race commitment-phobia under control by the end of the month, and fork over the dough for the entry fees.

None of these are super ambitious goals and I'm pretty confident I can accomplish them all, although I'm sure I'll struggle most with finding balance.

What are your goals for the month?