Earlier this summer, my coach asked all of his athletes to do a goal setting exercise regarding our short and long-term running goals. Admittedly, this exercise was harder than any physical workout he’s given me. I used to have no problem coming up with concrete goals, but the majority of those goals were likely very time specific. While I do have a couple time specific goals now, running is about so much more than racing and the time on the clock.
Somewhere along the way, I seem to have lost the desire to actually show up to races. As someone who used to run 10 races in a low year and upwards of 25 races in a high year, this is quite a change. As of today’s date (late July 2024), I have yet to toe the line for one single race this year! What?! Don’t get me wrong, I’ve still been training and working very hard. Why can I not get myself to an actual race?
Not to bring everything back to being a mom (I used to hate when people did this before I was a mom), but it literally changes everything. The logistics of getting to a race are certainly more complicated and that is whether I am bringing the little guy with me or not. I have also found that (for me), the race itself is so much more meaningful if I have my people there to support me (husband, child, parents, dog … bring them all!). At the same time, I feel guilty asking them to show up to race after race after race, so it seems as if I have basically just stopped racing altogether. However, I plan to change this!
There is obviously a nice middle ground where I ask them to come to races that are more important and I ride solo to ones that maybe aren’t as important or if I have friends running or something like that. I have also been feeling very disconnected from the local running community that I used to feel very much a part of and putting myself out there and showing up to more races will definitely put me back in the mix. Side note: I would also like to get to more group runs, etc., but I also don’t want to sacrifice time with my family on the weekends (such a conundrum!).
Here are the goal prompts that my coach gave us (numbered below) and my responses (bulleted below):
1) Long-term goals for your running career, including a process oriented goal:
- Train in such a way that I am able to achieve longevity in the sport
- Train in such a way that I am able to continue finding joy in the process regardless of if there is a race on the calendar or not
- Train in such a way that I am able to continue loving the sport regardless of the “outcome” (i.e., time on the clock)
- Take another crack at the marathon in 2025 or 2026
- Possible transition to trails and ultras in 5+ years
2) Short-term goals you have for your running in the next 3 to 12 months:
- Run some middle-distance races including 10k, 15k, 10 mile & half marathon
- Run a half marathon faster than 1:20
- Go after state records for 39 year old females (I truly only care about being my best on any given day, but if I can get some state records in the process, that would be cool!)
- Work on lowering my threshold pace (currently 6:04)
3) Macro-cycle goals you have for the late spring and summer:
Run a 5k rust buster at LuLu’s Hot Trot on 06/16 to get a gauge of fitness- Work on increasing my VDOT score (currently 58)
- Run a 2 mile race on 08/10
Look for a 1 mile race in late July/early August
4) Make a list of actionable step by step plans on how you believe you can accomplish said goals:
- Run 7-8 x per week (includes potentially one day off and one to two doubles)
- Strength 2-3 x per week (includes Pilates)
- Cross Train 1-2 x per week (includes elliptical, arc trainer and/or stroller walks)
- Adequate hydration & electrolyte use as well as adequate fueling every single day
- Sleep 8-9 hours per night
- Regular supplementation with Iron Ferrasorb + Iron Bisglycinate (1 of each on empty stomach (typically in the late afternoon))
- Bloodwork 2-3 x per year
- Massage 1 x per quarter
There you have it. I have some good goals to work towards, a good plan of how to get there and I am already doing a good job of finding joy in the process regardless of whether there is a race on the calendar or not! However, I do plan to race more this fall as I work on chasing some state records in my last year before maturing into the master’s category.
Happy running friends!