Howdy folks! (as they say in some parts of the U.S.A.) How y’all doin’? So, as we are two thirds of the way through January already, I thought we should have a little catch up to assess our goals for 2020. Did you make any new year’s resolutions?
If you read my previous post. 2020 Vision. you will know that my three main resolutions were:
- Run a sub 40 minute 10km at a specific race in Kladno in November (my current PB is 40.32, what’s yours?)
- Improve my Czech language with my new teacher and be able to use and understand all modal verb usage + learn and use 52 new verbs (one a week)
- No alcohol for the first two months of the year. (9 days in so far, so good)
Of course, you want to know how I’m getting on right?
Be alcohol free
Well, I’m still alcohol free after three weeks, so I’m well on the way to two months. However the thought of (and sight of on tv) a cold beer is pulling my coat tales on a daily basis. That said, I am enjoying the clarity of going without any alcohol. I’m sleeping better and feel like I have more energy. I’m not usually a big drinker but the regularity of it is good to keep in check. Anyway, I do this most years and it’s no problem to go for long periods without visiting the pub or the green and brown bottle aisle of the supermarket. The downside is that it’s probably not saving me any money as water is more expensive than beer in the Czech Republic!
Improve my Czech
I’ve had a big win already on this one as I have been proactive in finding myself a new Czech language teacher. I say ‘teacher’ but really she’s a language coach and works in a very similar way to me. How is a coach different from a teacher? I’ll try to explain that in a future post, but suffice to say that it’s my preferred way of learning as it puts the onus on me.
Run a sub 40min 10km
Ok, my goal here is to run the time I want in a specific race which isn’t until November, but that gives me 10 months of training to get up to speed. I have started the year strongly and structured my weekly training in a methodical way after reading a great book by Julian Goat
er called The Art of Running Faster. I highly recommend it. For the last three weeks I have incorporated a short hill repetition session and an interval training session as well as cross training (swimming). Added to my usual weekend long run and a few recovery/easy runs in between and I am already feeling like I am stronger and faster.
Your Goals
So what about you? Did you set any new year’s resolutions? Have you got some goals or target for the year? Do you have specific goals for your English? If you would like some help in setting your goals download this. It’s my guide to setting S.M.A.R.T Goals for your English journey.
And Finally…
If you are looking to make some quick improvements in your English and want to do it in a fun, relaxed way, take one of my online courses. They are available at a discounted price of just 499kč until the end of January. Better Your English Now will help you correct up to 30 of the most common mistakes you make and Master the Present Perfect does exactly what it says on the tin!
Ok folks, that’s all for now. Get your S.M.A.R.T. Goals guide here and Enroll in a course here.
Enjoy learning English the smart way and see you next time,
Richard.
