Twin Cities Marathon Goals

Throughout training, I had zeroed in on one main goal, to run a marathon under 4 hours. With about a month of training to go I started to PANIC and think about how hard that goal seemed, as we tend to do when we're training for a big scary goal. I really enjoy training and coaching myself, but this is the part of training where I think it'd be really helpful to have a coach talk through the confidence side of things with me.

As it is, I have goals for this Sunday's race. Of course I do!

A Goal: PR. I haven't ran a PR since my first marathon in May 2010. I ran a strong race, fell apart a bit in the final 10k and ran a 4:12. I want to have a new PR so badly.

Sub goal: Sub 4:10. Barring any major disasters, this should happen.

Sub-sub goal: Sub 4:05. I think if I'm having a really great day, a 4:02-4:05 is where I'll land.

I've had dreams all year long of saying, "I ran a 15 minute PR!" so that 3:58 is still in the back of my mind, but I'm also very nervous about going out hard enough to reach that goal that I fall apart and don't hit my ultimate PR goal.

So we'll see what Sunday brings!!

2018 Goals Check In

We are over halfway through the year (when did that happen?!?), so it's probably time to check in on my goals for 2018 to see where I'm at.

Running

• Run 1400 miles.--I'm slightly behind on this goal. This was my BIG mileage goal that hinged on staying 100% healthy for the year. At the end of June, I was a little behind the goal to hit 1200 for the year. Hopefully a strong healthy cycle of marathon training will make 1400 a possibility again, but I won't risk injury to hit it, so TBD!
• Run 100 miles each month.--Womp womp. March and June didn't happen due to some cranky knee issues.
• Run a Sub 1:55 half.--Not this spring, but I still have another shot in Dallas in December. I can say with all the confidence in the world that I was in shape to run under 1:55 for Grandma's, and that is a huge statement.
• Run a marathon PR. (EEPS!)--TBD.

Life

• Rescue another pug.--I tried really hard to make this work in April and had my heart broken.
• Read 150 books.--On track! 
• Do a check in with a nutritionist to reign in my fueling for BIG RUNNING GOALS.--I need to give Lizzie a call!

Yoga

• Re-establish my meditation practice.--YES! 
• Take 1-2 trainings toward my 500 hour certification.--maybe one this fall.

Capital G Goals

I love my BRF. Let me just preface this post with that declaration, although I'm sure it's not the first and probably not the last. I'm 100% a planner and she's 95% down with whatever I say. Haha, that maybe sounds like a dictatorship, but that's cool. We were spectating the Twin Cities Marathon and she asked what our "plan" was for next year when it was our turn.

J: Well, we run 26.2 miles. That *is* the plan.

T: But we always have a plan. Like what's the goal?!

J: It's your first, so you finish. I want to PR. Ideally I'd like to be under 4, but a 20 second PR would even make me happy at this point.

T: Well what if we ran it together and did sub-4??

And then I shrieked. We talked about it, and I said that at this point, I really think I could run a sub 4 in a year, but I don't know for sure.

But it's important to have BIG goals, right? The worst that could happen is that it doesn't happen, and then I try again.

#marathontimesthatstartwith3

#prparty

#sub4

BQ Dreams

A couple of weeks ago, a newer running friend sent me a text that said, "I think I'm crazy; I want to sign up for a marathon." She's currently training for her first half. To which I responded, "There's nothing crazy about that! I've been thinking a lot about my BIG goal of a BQ and according to my last marathon time, I have 90 minutes to take off my time!"

There's no goal too big. (<--new rule)

When I first started running marathons in 2010, I had visions of a BQ dancing in my head. So many of the bloggers I was following were chasing BQs and seemed to take about ten minutes off their marathon time each time they ran one, so I assumed that by my 3rd marathon, I'd be making my first BQ attempt as well. Lolz. My first marathon was a 4:12. My second was a 4:31, then 4:25. Seven marathons later, my first is still my fastest. By a lot, especially compared to my last few marathons, one barely sub 5 and a couple significantly over.

I purchased a Believe Training Journal last fall and I loved the goals section. I am such a goal-oriented person. When setting goals, I usually focus on ones that are attainable in the short term, my next race goal time, mileage goals, etc. But the journal gave me some inspiration to dream bigger. I know that if I can stay healthy, run consistent mileage, and build some stronger endurance on top of speedy legs, I can qualify for Boston. This is in no way a short-term goal, but it helps propel me forward on the days where I don't want to go out and do an easy 3-4 miler. What does it matter if I do 3-4 miles easy on any given day? Well it helps build that foundation of consistent running and mileage that adds up over time.

While running with Toni a couple of weeks ago, the topic of marathons came up. I told her that my next one would be in the fall of 2018. I hope to do some higher mileage training programs for the half marathon to whittle my speed down while building that endurance base for the next year or so before diving in to marathon training. She mentioned that maybe by then *she'd* be interested in running a marathon.

Bingo.

THIS HAS BEEN PRECISELY MY PLAN. MUHAHAHAHHA.

jk.

kinda.

I told her how I had hoped to smash my sub 4 goal for that race, and even offered to pay her race entry if she wanted to pace me to it, then realizing that she can't possibly pace *me* in her first marathon, because that would be craziness. (Um... now taking applications for a pacing buddy....) But then maybe the next go around, we can train for a BQ together. By that point, I'll have an extra 5 minutes toward qualifying, and for some reason a sub 3:40 doesn't sound horrific but a sub 3:35 sure does. Go figure.

Then I gave her the run down of what races we would be doing and basically planned out the next 3.5 years of running for her. Boston 2020 yo!

I was assuring her she could handle marathon training, because it's very similar to what we're doing but with a longer long run on the weekends. At one point she paused, and said, "You could be training me for a marathon right now and I wouldn't even know it!" with a nervous laughter. "How do you know I'm not?!" Surprise! Check your email for a race confirmation! jk.... for now.

yay goals and brf.

Milwaukee Running Festival Marathon

This past Sunday I was supposed to run a marathon. I didn't.

After my mom passed away in August, I wasn't sure what I would do about my upcoming marathon. On one hand I thought I might enjoy training for it, and give my brain a break from all the emotions and grief. On the other hand, I thought the stress of marathon training on top of the stress of my grief might kill me. I looked up the transfer policy and realized I had to the end of October to make a decision. Phew.

After marinating on it for a few weeks, I ultimately decided not to run the race. I knew I could do it. Complete the race. Likely in a 5+ hour time. But that wasn't my intention when I signed up for the race. When I signed up, I was falling back into l-o-v-e love with running, my mom's health was looking up, and I was ready to put in the work to run a decent marathon time, 4:20s-4:30s. I did NOT want to slog through another 5 hour marathon that left me hating running and marathons in general.

And so it was decided. No marathon in 2016. Meaning my last one was over two years ago. If i sign up before the end of the year, I can get my deferred entry to Milwaukee for $10. I'm still not sure if I want to run a fall marathon next year; Kyle kindly suggested that maybe I don't even do marathons anymore. To which I replied, "Yeah if I could just run ONE GOOD ONE, I could retire....."

26.2 TBD.

Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon Goals

Going in to this marathon, I have the least clear understanding of what my current abilities are. Yes, this has been a particularly crazy-making taper, thank you for asking. On one hand my legs might be incredibly fresh and loose for the first time in ages (thanks mega taper, massages and yoga) on the other  hand, the bulk of my mileage was in July and August. And it's now... October.

With that being said, these may be more loose expectations instead of goals. Who knows, maybe I'll surprise myself. Every time I've been confident in a finishing time for a marathon I've been wrong anyway, so what does it matter. :)

A Goal: Low 4:20s. A ten minute pace would have me in the low 4:20s. If I don't have any injury niggles, no walk breaks, and feel strong forever this'll be my unicorn goal for the day. My second and third best marathon times are 4:25 and 4:26, so I could surely use those times to prevent me from taking walk breaks toward the end when even the ends of my hair hurt.

B Goal: Sub 4:30. 10:20 pace is pretty close to what I ran my long runs at. I'm hoping the cooler temps will make that pace doable. The pace teams are 4:00, 4:15 and 4:30 so I might start with this group in hopes I can pick it up.

C Goal: 4:35. 10:30 pace. Anything 4:35+ means that I either had to walk due to injury or my conditioning didn't hold up with my spotty training the last month or two. If that happens I'll implement the "just keep swimming" chant in my head, and be thankful that I get to see my mom, Kyle, and his parents super frequently on the course to help propel me forward, and just be happy that I'm able to go out and run 26.2 miles at a time. Even if it's not pretty.

As far as I know, there isn't any tracking for the race. The site is here. It looks like previous results were posted here, so maybe you can get some splits along the way! And if I have your number and you'd like, maybe I can convince Kyle to text you along the way. Although I'm sure the texts would be something along the lines of "just saw her, she's wearing green" or "she gave a wave, I think that means she's going to PR" or something equally as unhelpful (I'm thinking of Danielle's husband texting me during a marathon way back when with information that didn't help me know how she was doing AT ALL, lolz.)

Philadelphia Marathon Goals

When I started training for Philly 6 short weeks ago, I knew that the race was going to be a lot more relaxed then previous marathons.  My co-worker joked that I would probably PR in the race because I was taking all of the pressure off myself, and my body wasn’t going to be super beat up like it is after normal 12-14 week training cycles. 

My training has gone… awesome.  My long runs have been strong, and I’ve felt pretty darn healthy (minus the monster cold from last week).  The weather forecast should be cooler and cloudy (ie:  jerbear running perfection), and I’ll be toeing the line with two of my favorite running gals.

Normally I’m mega-bitch during taper.  Obsessing, obsessing, obsessing.  Kyle commented that I should do more marathons “for fun” because I’m a lot less looney tunes this go around, and I must agree.

Our goal for the race:  have fun, run hard, and take a ridiculous hand in hand finishing photo.

Based on our cumulative training, I’m not sure what our finishing time will be.  I think a sub 4:10 is not out of the question for these legs of mine (PR is 4:12, so that would be STELLAR!).  Under 4:21:31 would put me ahead of Danielle in our challenge.  Primarily, I don’t want to have a body part fall apart and have to gimp run/walk the last 10-13 miles.  Spoiler alert:  that blows.

After this weekend marathon #4 will be under my belt!

Fargo Marathon Race Goals

I am packing my final green items in my suitcase and am getting ready to jump in my car to meet up with my racing/road trip buddy to embark on our trip north.  FARGO BOUND! 

But before I go, here are my race goals for tomorrow's ::gulp:: marathon.

Maximum Glitter and Sparkles Goal (Goal A):  In case you've been living under a rock, I'm trying to finish this puppy sub 4!  3:5x or BUST.  My race strategy, as previously mentioned, is to run 9 minute miles until I can run no more.  Hopefully this is after the 26.2 point.  ;) 

Rainbow Covered Unicorn Goal (Goal B):  PR Party, current PR is 4:12:00. 

Giggling Penguin Goal (Goal C):  Finish and take great race photos.  Whenever you're not running fast, you might as well look cute doing it.  My personal motto. 

See you on the flippy flip of 26.2!  Tweet me if you're at the expo and want to meet up.

Las Vegas Marathon Race Goals

Usually my race goals are my favorite blog post to write (behind race reports that is), but for some reason I'm freaking out a bit about putting my goals in writing.  Not that I've kept my race goals a secret, but it still makes them serious being typed out.  But anywhosits, without further adieu here are my race goals (sorry Neal, no sweet dinosaur inspired goals this go around [sad face]).  (Sidenote:  I just re-read my race goals from Green Bay, was I on crack back then or what?!?!?!?  Seriously...suffering from some MAYJAH taper brain at that time like whoa.)

Goal C:  Finish marathon #2.  Enjoy the race.  Burst in to "Vivaaaaaaaaa Las Vegasssssssssss" no less than 6 times throughout the 26.2 miles.  Avoid accidentally getting married at mile 5 with the masses.  Avoid accidental prostitution.  Avoid running off with a showgirl.  Avoid becoming a showgirl.  If a blue man is encountered along the course, make sure to ask him how look it took to blue himself.  [Perhaps I should have a separate post for these "personal" goals throughout the race. :p]

Goal B:  PR.  My current (and only) time is 4:12:00.  Assuming nothing goes wrong on race day, I should be able to crack this puppy.  I was a pretty consistent 9:23 pace for the first 20ish miles of Green Bay until my legs gained 900 pounds out of nowhere.

Goal A:  Sub-4.  I've gone back and forth all throughout training about whether I would or should shoot for 3:5x.  My biggest fear in the marathon is crashing and burning after going out too fast, I want to enjoy the race as much as I can.  It's doable, just dependent on whether I can quiet the wussy part of my brain down come race day. :)

See ya'll in Sin City!  Vivaaaaaaa Las Vegassssssssssssssss!

Green Bay Marathon Goals

Tonight I had a boring old 3 mile easy run to do.  To make it a little less boring, it has turned to winter around here.  Seriously it's cooooold.  I've had my heat on driving to and from work the past two days.  I swear to God I spent more time rounding up my cold weather running gear than I actually spent doing the run.  Interesting fact about the run:  at the 1.5 mile turn around point my watch said 14:11.  Finishing time 28:22.  Couldn't have done it if I tried fo sho.  My legs were pretty heavy, which is to be expected after a quick tempo run yesterday.  I usually let them rest after speed work, but wanted to make sure I had rest days on Friday and Saturday.

3 miles in 28:22 for a pace of 9:28.
_________________________________________

And now what you've all been waiting for............ (you have been waiting for this, right???)

Green Bay Goals
(in dinosaur terms, because, why not??)

I know everyone says not to have a time goal for your first marathon.  Apparently no one told that to my buddy BQoh1stT/TG (BQ on his 1st Try/Tri Guy) who did just that.  With that being said, I'm an extremely competitive person and cannot imagine going in to a race without a goal of some kind.  What I have come up with (while logging all of my long runs, I was allotted many hours of pure thinking and computation) is a rough time guide that I should be able to hit, whether it be on race day, or a marathon in the near? future.

Goal Triceratops:  Have fun.  Finish the race with a big ol' smile on my face (and more than likely tears in my eyes streaming down my face).  Seriously bask in the awesomeness that my body and hard work have provided me.  Also, don't die.  That would be...uh.... bad.

Goal Brontosaurus (aka Longneck):  This includes Goal Triceratops as well as a time goal.  Ooooh....pretty.  Given my pace on my long runs, I should be able to finish under 4:10, which is a pretty dog gone good time if you ask me.  This time goal would also mean that I have spent less time in the port a potties than I have running the course (this is a big fear for me, for some reason. :/)

Goal Velociraptor:  This also includes Goal Triceratops, as that goal is undisputable come race day.  In addition to the smile, would be crossing the finish line in between 4:04 and 4:08 minutes.  How do I get some a complex time frame?  You might ask.  Well 8 is my lucky number, and so is 4 (and also happens to be Brett Favre's number....weird) so both of these would be an acceptable time frames.  This would also be pretty spot on with my pace for my 20 milers, so would be great motivation to keep pushing the last 10k and not let myself walk.

Goal Pterodactyl:  Again this includes Goal Triceratops, but also a big kahuna:  Run a sub 4 marathon.  Whooooooa nelly!  That's a pretty lofty goal.  And I agree.  However, I saw someone's tweet the other day that I couldn't agree more with, it went something along the lines of, "If you're constantly hitting your A goal (or in my case Pterodactyl goal) you're setting your goals too low!"  Agreed.  Might as well shoot for the stars, yes?  Going in to the race, this will not be my goal.  However, at mile 20 if my legs are feeling good and it's a possibility (aka all stars are in alignment) you better believe I'll be hauling booty to do it.  Now if Brett Favre happens to be the 4 hour pace leader, than MAYBE this goal might be my time goal from the start of the race........ just sayin'.

**In case you were wondering, these are my 4 favorite dinosaurs in least to favoritest order.  I love dinosaurs.  Also, I am 5 years old apparently. :)  **