A few weeks ago, Amy wrote about her upcoming marathon on her blog, Run / Write / Hike. She talked about her marathon goals, how running is a stress reliever for her, and how for this particular marathon she isn’t chasing a particular time. Amy went on to discuss how blogging has impacted our running:
For better or worse (and mostly for better), I think the blog world has enabled this constant idea that we all have to continue to improve by getting faster and/or running longer. Each race is a competition with ourselves. I love that idea and support and encourage it. I completely understand the feeling of failure that comes when you do not PR a race you were expecting to crush. But I refuse to sit and wallow for days or weeks about a failed marathon.
Her post gave me an idea…..
At 56 years old, I don’t fit the runner-blogger “norm.” Actually, I’m about 20-30 years older than many of the people I’ve met in the health and fitness blogging community. Although I agree 100%, I chuckled when Amy said, “I think the blog world has enabled this constant idea that we all have to continue to improve by getting faster and/or running longer.” I know that I can no longer hit those times I ran when I set my marathon PR, and my running distances have gotten shorter,not longer.
1999 Steamtown Marathon PR
3:29:04 (7:59 minute/mile pace)
As I get older, my times are slowing down a little bit and I’m completely okay with that. It’s normal and to be expected. Have I sat back and said that I’m too old for this? Absolutely not! I’ve just adjusted my goals to be a little more realistic. Would I have reset those goals if I weren’t blogging? Perhaps in my head, but probably not on paper where I would hold myself more accountable.
Writing my blog has inspired me to strive to be the best that I can be and to set “new PR goals” that are appropriate for my age. On January 1st, I set the following two time goals and some softer fun goals.
Are these time goals realistic? I’m having second thoughts, but why set goals you know you will reach… then it’s just a plan. My 5K PR is 22:57 (7:23 minute/mile pace) which was set 15 years ago. Last Sunday I ran a 25:57 (8:21 minute/mile pace) without any recent speed work, but I’m not sure that I can shave two minutes off of my time and get it within a minute of my 15-year old PR. It will be a challenge that I’m up for, but I won’t beat myself up if I don’t reach it.
My half marathon PR is 1:56:38 (8:54 minute/mile pace) which was run on a very hot and humid day. My most recent half was run in nearly perfect race conditions and I ran a 2:06:45 (9:40 minute/mile pace). Again, it seems pretty lofty to shave 6:45 off my half distance, but I’m willing to try it.
Whatever happens, happens; but you can bet that I will push myself to be the best that I can be! Stay tuned!
- Questions:
- What are your racing goals?
- Do you feel you are close to reaching your racing PR’s?
- Who raced this weekend?
I like how you compare goals vs plans. That’s a good way to think about it. For me personally, being that I haven’t been a runner that long, I haven’t ever set a time goal. My two biggest goals this year are just to finish those two races I’ve talked about. That, in and of itself, is very lofty for me at those distances so I think I did well in making them “goals”.
I can’t wait to see how you do. I bet you can reach those PRs easily with some focus. I’ll be rooting for you!
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Face The Music Friday #21
Thanks! I’m hoping to focus on my speed after the snow eventually melts!
You have great goals for 2014 with two very cool races! I think after you have a few more races under your belt, you can think about setting some time goals (if that interests you).
Very interesting.
I’m in this for the long haul and am trying to define my goals accordingly. I started running in my mid-30s and with few to zero athletic abilities. While I am working every day to better myself as a runner, I am also kind of in tune with my own limitations and working around them as best I can. It’s frustrating at times, but I guess the good things are never easy.
Running the Donna 5K on Saturday to finish breast cancer. Pretty excited to be a part of that event.
I think you’re going to get that sub-2! That’s not so much to drop for a half, given the right weather conditions and some solid tempo runs during training (and maybe a lil speedwork). I bet you can hit that sub-24 min 5K too! I’m excited to watch you chase your goals this year!
My goals this year are centered around building a strong base, to where I can comfortably complete a 10 miler or half marathon anytime I want. And I’m looking for another go at the full marathon this fall.
Meagan recently posted…Weekly Workout Roundup – Feb. 10 – 16
Are you and Barry running the Varmint Half again this year? Bill and I probably will…
Yes, we are planning to run it again this year! It nearly doubled in size (I don’t know if that’s a hard fact, but it felt like it!) last year because We Run Events made the Varmint part of their “Beat Series.” It’s not as small a race as it used to be. Since this year is the 21st year, they will have black sheep for the age group and overall awards. They do black sheep every 7 years 🙂
Meagan recently posted…My epic fail win
My goals for right now is to stay injury free first and foremost, but as far as times….I would like a 1:50 Half marathon. I would also like to get a BQ, but I have a lot of work to get there. In the meantime, I would really like to do a 4 hr marathon. My first and only marathon was 4:46 which I was VERY disappointed with, although I should have been happy that I finished and I was….but after it was all said and done i was a bit sad about that time. So, my goal for MCM this year is to do a sub 4:!5. I think it’s possible if I continue to make sure I foam roll my calves constantly. My issue at MCM was post tibial tendinitis and extremely tight calves. I battled it all during training. I don’t consider it an injury per se, but regular maintenance that I need to work on!
Sue @This Mama Runs For Cupcakes recently posted…Mama Cupcake’s 12 Days of Super Swag–Day 1 Sweaty Bands and Honey Stinger Giveaway!
My big goal is to run forever, so I really like your goal to stay injury free. I guess that’s implied in my “run forever” goal!
I have great confidence that you’ll hit those numbers you’re looking at. Do you have a goal for the Reston Ten-Miler? Mine is just to enjoy the run.
If it makes you feel any better, your times completely crush mine! I usually make somewhat nonspecific goals… I don’t know why… maybe I’m scared of getting too specific and failing….hmm…
My big/lifelong goal is to set a good example for my son where exercise is part of our daily lives. I don’t want him to think running is something you do JUST to race. I want an active lifestyle to be the norm. My short-term goal is to complete my first half marathon. I’m thinking about doing a 5k in March to get me kinda in “race mode”… maybe setting a time goal for that race will be a step in the right direction with more specific goals. With each 5k I’ve shaved a bit of time off, so if I actually put some effort into it, maybe I’ll surprise myself!
I think this is a great post… I think it’s important to adjust goals based on individuals!
Caroline recently posted…My Son Has A Doll… & I’m okay with it!
You have the best and most important goal of setting a good example for your son, and I like the way you look at running versus racing. Of course it will be fun for him to watch as mommy kicks butt in a race, too!
Hi again, just wanted to say THANK YOU! Sorry-I was at work earlier and having my own phone issues on twitter earlier! Technology sometimes! Ha! I love your take on this and I appreciate it because I am getting older, too! Thanks again for this, Deb 🙂
Amy recently posted…Colorado Marathon Training: Week 5
I had been wanting to talk about life after PR’s and you gave me the perfect launching pad. Thank YOU! 🙂
Such a great post. I think, especially for runners, it’s easy for us to get caught up in the numbers and forget that running is just plain awesome. Right now, I feel like I have about 3 or 4 years left to really PR, so I’m working really hard at doing that! After that, I’ll definitely be adjusting my goals.
Carly @ Fine Fit Day recently posted…Scenes from a weekend #15
Thank you! Good luck chasing those PR’s! 🙂
This is why I love reading your blog, Debbie. Honesty!
I, too, am not in the same place as many of the bloggers I read. I’m about 10+ years older in most cases, have teenagers (not wee-ones), and I “just” started running. You mentioned that your times are slowing down, and I was thinking about that the other day. My times are still getting faster since I’m newer to the sport. Since I am still making improvements I wonder “how fast” I can go. However, since I have such a busy life right now I wonder if I really truly care “how fast” I can go. It’s interesting.
In 5-10-15-20-25 years and beyond I hope I’m still running. That’s my goal. 🙂
[email protected] recently posted…It’s like Walking Tacos and Sweet Girl is a fighter!
Aww, thanks! I’m very comfortable in my skin (albeit more wrinkled than in years past), so it doesn’t bother me to admit my age. Besides if I’m not honest, I’d never be able to post another picture! 🙂
Love this, Deb! I’m enjoying the thrill of new PRs after two pregnancies. I know I won’t keep dropping time forever, and I want to have a healthy attitude about it. It’s more important to me that I can keep running as long as my heart desires, no matter what the pace or distance. But, gosh, I’d sure like to crack 3:30 in the marathon some day. Maybe Boston next year?!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted…TrailHeads Headband Winner
I was almost 42 when I set my marathon PR, but then I didn’t run my first marathon until I was almost 40. I often wonder what my times could have been if I’d been running longer distances in my early 30’s…
I KNOW you are going to crack 3:30. You are one. fast. mama! 🙂
As a most definite non runner (unless it’s for a bus) I can’t share my running goals, but I do like what you said about not limiting goals to achieving specific distances or times. Sometimes – with any challenge – it’s easy to get caught up in numbers and forget to appreciate variety and tangent goals, many of which are just as important!
Claire recently posted…Stockholm Diary: Bootcamp Bunny
OMG! I am so behind on reading your blog, I don’t know how that happened! Age is just a number. I hope when I am 80 that I am still able to go out for a run. My hubby’s grandpa was running 3-5 miles daily up until he was 80 and now he just walked that distance. That is where my hubby got the running gene from. I think that is wonderful. My mom who turned 60 in January she is still running/walking and training for local 5k’s. I love it! I love that she was excited more about now being in a new age group for races that maybe she would be able to place in races than about turning 60. I loved hearing that!
Lindsey @ OneMotherofaDay recently posted…Saturday weekly round-up series #1
My big goal is to run forever! 🙂
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