There have been times when my goals seemed more like a dream, then something that is actually attainable. But, if I think back on a few things I never thought I would do – compete for Team USA, run for Oiselle, deliver healthy twins, be published in a book – I have to believe in myself. Even though I honestly have no lofty goal for tomorrow’s half-marathon, I always want to race well (meaning 1:29 or better!) and see others do the same. Because it’s no fun celebrating alone. Unless there’s wine and Ray Donovan involved, but that’s a different post.
Totally stole this from rungiarun
Training for a big race with friends is like being a part of a secret family. We have our own lingo (taper, Gu, fartlek), are own meaning of fun (speed work, long-slow distance, tempos), our own fashion (compression socks, glide, neon/reflective jackets) and all our months of hard work, culminates on race day. All the fears, hopes and dreams bubble up to the surface when you’re staring down that start line. When I pin a bib on my shirt, I have goals, whether I will admit them to myself or not.
So, instead of focusing on the fact that my left hamstring is kinda sore, or that it may be a cold rain for the race, I posted a call to action on Facebook. I wanted to reach out to my extended running family to get a vibe on what race day will mean for them this year. And (perhaps more importantly), what they were looking forward to after the race. For me, it will be seeing my friend Chrissie, who has trained like a beast, finish her very first marathon. And, I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be a BQ (Boston Qualifier) which is sick, for your very first marathon ever. That’s how she rolls.
Chrissie and I after a fast 5K!
Here’s how some of my favorite people are going to kick it in their upcoming races:
I love this guy and he always has a great perspective…even when I finally beat him in a local TRI (sorry James, I just had to throw that in!) plus he’s hilarious:
Mostly, people just want to have FUN! And, I have no issue with wearing your medal for days on end. After I ran the Boston Marathon I wore the medal all.night.long even though it was my slowest marathon time…well, not counting my first marathon…
Some get to run in some very cool places (read: not Hartford!) and are newbies! There’s nothing like a new runner in a race. They are definitely feeling the excitement and have those “don’t know what to really expect” feelings. I totally envy that! Plus, if it’s your first race at a new distance, it’s an automatic PR – BOOM!! BEST of luck to all the newbies out there. I’m cheering so loudly for y’all. That’s right, it’s so loud I now have a southern accent.
I have yet to run a race with my boys. Doing a 5K with them being only 5 years-old, seems like too lofty a goal. I may loose them in the woods during a 3-mile race, as they are easily distracted and tend to wander. Not so with my next racer…
I had to put these two badasses together. If I didn’t know them, I would think they were total a-holes. But, I have the absolute pleasure of knowing (and running/racing) with them both, and they are lovely. Lovely in a way that crazy athletic killers are. (*IMAZ is Ironman Arizona and Kevin is doing the FULL marathon)
Now that it’s on Facebook, it’s gospel. Go get it girl…
This next one sounds all sweet and nice, but really she’s getting out of running 13.1 or 26.2 by “paying it forward.” Come on Anne! Totally just kidding. Anne is an amazing running friend and has taught me so much about it over the years. She lives her life ‘paying it forward!’ xoxoxo
This next one is hilarious. I love being included in goals no matter how cray cray.
I have this shared goal after every.single.race I run! Most people want to hit the beer garden after the race, but you will find me in the FOOD TENT!
By the time you get to race day, sometimes you just want to get it over with! The funny thing is, no matter how much I look forward to the resting phase after the race, I always want another goal and another race. This next one may come off as she is ready to be done, however, after finishing this same race last year, I believe she promptly signed up for like five more in the coming months. And, in case you didn’t know, it’s Mary Shannon, and her bib will have her name on it. She’s a pretty big deal…
Last but not least, let’s kick it for the red, white and blue! Without freedom, there is no race.
To ALL the racers and spectators – GOOD LUCK! Have fun, race smart, get in some high-fives and then hit the food and beer tents like a boss. You’ve earned it!
What your race goal?
If you don’t race, what’s a personal goal you have for yourself?
My goal last year was to participate in my last year of cross country in high school this year but seeing as I’m in a very vigorous arts program, that’s not going to happen.
No matter–I made a PR this week! Get this: 3 miles in 24:43 on an incline of 0.5 on the treadmill. I beat my last time by two seconds and I’m thrilled! Might not be anything challenging for a person of your strength and speed, but this was HUGE news to me. At some point this year, I certainly want to finish a whole episode of Insanity without stopping inbetween sets. 🙂
That is fantastic!!!! Good for you! I don’t take anyone’s goals lightly. It’s all relative and there are a ton of people out there way stronger and speedier then me. I think you have some great goals, and I also think you will achieve them. Keep moving forward!
Aww, wonderful goals and as you know I don’t race and barely run, but still wish you and all the other racers a ton of luck!! 🙂
I know you do Janine and I so appreciate it! Thank you!!
This is awesome! My #1 race priority is making it to the starting line in a week. The outlook isn’t good…
You didn’t think you would race Zooma either and I believe that resulted in a PR! Maybe this will be a pattern for you…hmmmm. Don’t give up hope yet, and, there’s still Hawaii!
I totally enjoyed all of the responses!! It is so much fun being a part of this community that I honestly didn’t know existed until I started really running. It is such an incredible group of people and I love hearing other people’s goals and excitement for their upcoming races. I can’t believe I’ve been sleeping on this “secret society” this long! 🙂 good luck this weekend Allie, no sore hammies, NO rain (!!!!), and all the best! See you in a few days!!
Thank you so much Nellie and welcome to the family! We’re so happy you’re here 🙂
These are some really great goals…love the fun that people are having with it. Such a good roundup.
Now you: go crush that goal! I know you’ve got it in you. And who needs scenery when racing–you’ll be too focused anyhow!
Thanks Amanda!! I’m just going to go out and go for it! There’s no other way for me. And, you’re so right about scenery. Whenever people chose a race based on location, I’m always like “oh, you think you’re going to look up and take in the sights? That’s interesting!”
See you soon…hopefully with good racing reports!
I’m so pumped that I wish I had a race coming up! I love everyone’s goals for their races! Good luck on yours!
Thanks so much Kris. If I know you, you’ll have another race planned soon…and then you’ll just have to re-read this 🙂
Oh yay! Good luck to everyone! I love reading about everyone’s goals. It seems like such an awesome community! 🙂
It really is. I love being a part of it and, it’s so helpful to call to mind when you’re in the middle of a hard race! Thanks Britt.
Love Love Love this!!! Good luck to YOU and to everyone racing this weekend!! You are going to be amazing. I just know it.
You were right!!! I hit a PR by 40 seconds with a finish of 1:28:50 in the cold rain. I felt strong and, there’s something about racing in the rain that just makes you feel like a badass. Thanks so much Christine! I’m going to need to stop, drop and yoga when I see you!!
What a great post!! Love the goals.
Of course, when I read your title I started saying, “What’s your dream? Everyone has dreams…..” (Pretty Woman is one of my favorite movies!)
EXACTLY!!!! You read my mind… 🙂
My personal goal is to lose these last 10 pounds from the pregnancy.
How I’m going to do that? I haven’t figured it out yet, still in survival mode. Any ideas?
Stay in survival mode for a while. I think you’ve got all you can handle right now. Then, when you feel you can add it in, walk outside with the babies in the stroller (if you can??) because it’s good for them and you!
Fun round up…wishing you all fast feet! John has a duathlon today – in the rain. He totally makes me mental sometimes.
Hahahaha!! Thanks Tara. I hope John did as well as I did – PR!! 1:28:50 and third in my age group. Take THAT cold rain!
Fun seeing all the responses! I saw you got a PR at Hartford, congrats! That is awesome…and in that icky rain too!
Thank you! I seem to do well in the rain, and it’s infinitely better then heat!!
I’m so inspired by everyone’s goals! Especially since I know some of you.
And wasn’t Chrissie your friend who was completely NOT winded and vomiting from that really humid race? She’s my hero. So are you!
What the heck is fartlek? There’s all sorts of weird lingo in photography too, but I think I made most of it up myself. Like being dappled means that you’re partly in light and partly not.
Today I mentioned to Jennifer that she was in the wrong sky. Umm.. there aren’t two skies.
That is so funny about photography lingo. You could so write a post on that! A ‘fartlek’ is a German word that means “speed play” and is a workout when you do intervals of speed, without any rhyme or reason, just based on feel. It’s a pretty funny word to toss around to non-running friends 🙂
YES Chrissie is the one who had the great race in New Haven. She also qualified for Boston in the Hartford marathon with 3:39!!! She is amazing.
James totally made me LOL with the massage tent comment! Loved reading all these! 🙂 Hope the race went well and that you a chance to relax with a little Ray Donovan post race! ;)-Ashley
Thanks Ashley! I ran another PR and I’m so, so psyched!!! Sadly though, I already watched the season finale of Ray. I drank wine anyway though…
Hrrrmmmm. Personal Goal? I’m working on a book to submit to the editors of Amazon Singles — it’s an extension of a short story I’ve posted on my blog already (Beautiful Deception). I have a confident, gut feeling they will accept my book. 🙂
Well damn!!! That is a HUGE goal! I’m sure I’ll get to read all about it… 🙂
These were great – a little glimpse into the mysterious and strange world of runners!
It’s strange all right! Thanks for reading this one 🙂
What a nice dream you had! I hope that race went very very well, you deserve it girl! 🙂
It did! Thank you for reading and commenting.