Tag Archive | 5k

Readjusting Goals and Expectations

Feb17

With all goal setting, it is important along the way to take stock of how things are going and how expectations are meeting reality.

This is where I am today.

goal

One of my goals for this year was to have a Bib a month.   I was very clear in my goals that Bibs would not carry over and only one a month would count on this.    Well it is time to readjust this goal seeing as I feel like I live in the Frozen Tundra and there are no races this month.   More to the point the races that were available, I could not do.   I wasn’t overly concerned because my MRTT group was hosting a Frozen Booty event.   I was going to do the 5K.    First we had a problem with the location and it was decided to be less formal event at a local park.   Then the weather took a sever dive and it was determined that everyone would run their own race and post their times.    I still did my 5K.   I even did it outside because I really, really, really dislike the treadmill.   My time was not spectacular, but I did it.   I finished in 31:03.   Actually not bad considering I walked at some points because I didn’t feel like landing on my behind in the snow.    But I did it.   I also plan to count this as I submitted my time to the National Chapter of MRTT.   Official enough for me.

One of my other goals for the year is to run a 5K in 25 minutes.   As I’ve said before, my PR for a 5K is 27 minutes.   I had hoped to know this goal out at the March 1rst 5K, but I really don’t see it happening.   I’ve been running on the treadmill, but I hate the treadmill.    This is not to say that I’m not going to try, but I think realistically I hopefully can reach this goal later in the year.   This is not the only 5K that I will run this year and this is only a goal at a local 5K.   If I don’t make it this year, I can always try again next.

As for my goal of qualifying for the NYCM, I do seem to be on track for that one.   I’ve already done one race and I’m registered for 5 more.    Along the way, my cohort and I are trying to make sure that we also run enough of the Borough series races to automatically qualify for the NYC Half Marathon next year.   Wouldn’t that be nice.    We’ve already got one qualifying event under our belt and are registered for others.   With any luck, things will fall into place and next year we can run the half and full.   That would be amazing to say the least!   So must keep on running to make sure that happens.

It is nice too that I can already say that I’ve reached a goal by running a trail half this year.   Thanks Dawn:)

So as of now, I am satisfied with where I am in my training and my goals.

and

No, I haven’t forget the 2 hour Half.   Just not sure of when.

How are you doing with yours?

Make It Happen

Feb4

Now yesterday I was saying how there are so many things in our lives and training plans that we can’t control and to give in to that lack of control by Giving Up the Reins.   I do need to clarify though that just because you accept that lack of control and go with the flow so to speak, does not mean you are absolved from everything.

It would be like expecting our children to do well on a Biology Test without every opening their books.   It just won’t happen without some good hard work.  So like the Boy Scouts Motto, we need to prepare for the things we want and that are  somewhat in our control.   No just because we prepare doesn’t mean that everything will go according to our plan, but without a plan you won’t every have a chance of meeting your goals (or at least for me it works that way). So, I know your shocked, I’ve got a plan.

Planning, Preparing, and Working Hard to Reach our goals are all in our control.   Now, right now I am doing all my planning, preparing, and working my butt off to reach my goal of running a 5K in 25 minutes.   I really don’t know that I will be able to do it.   My fastest 5K is 27:17.   Now to someone who is not a runner reading this (Hi Mom), shaving two minutes off a 5K sounds easy enough; but I know the reality of it.  Shaving those two minutes off is going to be hard work and even with pushing myself I’m not sure that I still will be able to do it.    I won’t know though unless I try.

You know I’m trying too,  when I’m willing to go run inside on a treadmill to do my speed workout.   Today’s run is going to be hard.   I would much rather run circles at my local park, but I know with the cold and ice it is not a safe or smart thing to do.   So I will lace up, go to my gym and push it.

Push it real good.

PushI’m not going to lie.   I am not looking forward to today.   Not only is it running on the treadmill 6 miles, but it is repeats.

Description: 1-mile warmup
3 x 1 mile @ 8:00/mile with 800-meter recovery jog
1-mile cool down

Doesn’t that sound like fun?

NO, not at all!

So why do it if it’s not fun?

Because if I don’t, I won’t have a chance of meeting my goal.   You get out what you put in which means putting in the hard runs in this case as every run can’t be an “easy” run.   This is especially true when you are a woman in your mid 40’s getting closer to not being able to say mid.   This is especially true when you were also not born to run like a gazelle like some woman I know.

The truth is if you want something to happen,

you have to also make it happen.

Go-Out-and-Make-Things-Happen

No all the planning, preparing, and Hard Work won’t necessarily mean I will meet my goal, but it will give me a chance.

and

All I need is a chance!