My Year of Personal Bests
What does my personal best look like in this season of life?
Last November, I turned 60 years old. So, my big question for 2019 is, “What does my personal best look like for this new decade of life?”
Let’s take running for example. The last time I set a personal record (PR) for any running distance was several years ago. Let’s be honest. I’m just not going to beat my time in the marathon that I ran in 2003.
Over the last few days, I went back through several years of daily running logs to put together a chart of my PRs. You can see my PRs below.
Personal Records (PR)
1 Mile, 6:55
Medtronic TC 1 Mile, May 17, 2012
5K, 21:10
Freeze Fest 5K, Marion, IA, February 19, 2005
4 Mile, 29:28
Lighthouse Run, Racine, WI, June 19, 2011
8K, 35:57
Shamrock Shuffle, March 23, 2003
5 Mile, 35:13
Run with Carl, Bettendorf, IA, September 1, 2003
10K, 44:55
Groundhog Run, Kansas City, January 30, 2005
7 Mile, 50:53
Quad Cities Times Bix 7, July 26, 2003
15k, 1:07:07
Steamboat Classic, June 7, 2003
10 Mile, 1:17:44
Clinton YMCA 10-Mile, November 10, 2002
7 Mile, 50:53
Quad Cities Times Bix 7, July 26, 2003
15k, 1:07:07
Steamboat Classic, June 7, 2003
20K, 1:34:57
Chicago Distance Classic, August 3, 2003
Half Marathon 1:37:40
Quad Cities Marathon, Half, September 28, 2003
Marathon, 3:25:40
Grandma’s Marathon, June 21, 2003
In 2019, I am resetting my personal record for a new decade of life. I don’t expect my 60-year-old body to do what my 40-year-old body could do. But I can do the best that I can for where I am in life today.
Here’s what’s interesting. While I was reviewing my running logs, I also noticed other information. Who was I with (relationships)? Where was I working (career)? Where did I run (travel)? How much did I weigh (health)? How did I feel while running (spiritual)? Running touches every area of my life.
New Project: My Year of Personal Bests
So, that started me thinking. What would my personal best look like, not just in running, but in every area of my life?
For example, on a scale of one-to-ten, what does my relationship look like with my wife, children, and grandchildren? What do I want it to look like? What would it take for these relationships to be my personal best?
The same question applies to my life in every area:
- Spiritual
- Emotional
- Physical
- Marital
- Parental
- Social
- Intellectual
- Vocational
- Financial
On a scale of one-to-ten, where am I? Where do I want to be? What will it take to get there?
It Doesn't Have to Look a Certain Way
I don’t know what life will bring me this year: cancer, the death of a loved one, depression. My personal best is simply that: my best in the moment, given any set of circumstances. The goal is progress, not perfection.
My best doesn’t have to look like someone else’s best. Your best may be different than mine. Good for you. And good for me.
My best will look a lot different than it used to. I’m OK with that. That’s kind of the goal. I want to live my personal best in this season of life.
Making Space for My Personal Best
In 2019, I’m exploring this idea of my personal best. But, for something new to come into my life, something else must go out. I can do anything, but I can’t do everything, at least not all at the same time.
So, in the first quarter of 2019, I’m taking a break from publishing interviews on the Social Entrepreneur podcast. I’ll publish an episode from time to time to update you on my progress. I have some big plans for what Social Entrepreneur can look like at its best. Follow this blog or subscribe to Social Entrepreneur if you want to be part of this adventure.