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Marathon Goals

November 11, 2013 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC15 Comments

Well, here we are — in less than seven days, I will run my very first marathon. I have declared it marathon week on the blog and if you don’t come here for running posts you may want to sit this week out — it’s allllll about the marathon!

Today I’m gonna chat a bit about my goals for this Saturday’s run. Everyone says that you shouldn’t have time goals for your first marathon. I kinda don’t buy that — because even if you say you have no time goals, you probably secretly do!

keep-calm-and-set-your-goals-4

I have an A goal, a B goal and a C goal. My A goal is to finish the race in 4:45 or less. I think I am physically capable of this, of course I’m aware that everything could go off the rails at any point. Hence my B goal. B goal is a 5:00 marathon. This is definitely a goal that is within my wheelhouse and honestly, I’d feel pretty good if I came in under 5. And if things really don’t go the way I’m hoping, I’ll still have my C goal. C goal = finish happy and standing. Hopefully I’ll achieve A + B + C, but honestly, I’ll take just C. I’m just so excited to get this show on the road!

What were your goals for your first marathon? Did you set time goals? 


Comments

  1. Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course says

    November 11, 2013 at 9:59 am

    I didn’t really set a time goal for my first marathon before the race, but there were many goals during the race. It was a fun little mental game to keep me going, I guess. Good luck to you this weekend!!
    Clarinda @ Enjoying the Course recently posted…Marathon Monday #15My Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      November 11, 2013 at 10:53 am

      Oh I really like the idea of having lots of small goals throughout the race — I am willing to bet I’ll make up smaller goals as I’m running 🙂

      Reply
  2. Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons says

    November 11, 2013 at 10:02 am

    Go Courtney! So excited for you! I’m running my first marathon next year, and I have no idea whether I’ll have a time goal or not since I don’t really know what to expect. Good luck and have an amazing time!
    Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons recently posted…A Look Back at My 9+1 RacesMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      November 11, 2013 at 10:55 am

      Thanks Gabby! I’m excited for you and NYC next year now that you have a guaranteed entry! How fantastic 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    November 11, 2013 at 10:02 am

    You’re going to do great! Keep your head high and hopefully you’ll see yourself accomplishing all three goals!
    Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Race Goals for Tomorrow’s Veteran’s Day 5KMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      November 11, 2013 at 10:56 am

      Kathryn, you’ve been so supportive — thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    November 11, 2013 at 10:16 am

    I think you are so right about the time goal thing – everyone has one on some level whether they admit it or not 🙂
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…It’s National Running Safety MonthMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      November 11, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Yeah, I mean after spending so much time analyzing your training runs, it’s just hard not to, right? 🙂

      Reply
  5. Mar @ Mar on the Run! says

    November 11, 2013 at 10:45 am

    I’m gonna be squealing allllll week for you!!! So excited! 🙂 and you’re right, all the advice I’ve been given is to not have a time goal, but let’s face it we all do 😉
    Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…OBX Race Recap #1: Buccaneer 5KMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      November 11, 2013 at 10:57 am

      Hahaha, I’m totally just imagining you squealing and it’s making me giggle!! We always have a goal, right??? I mean, especially us Type A runners 🙂

      Reply
      • Mar @ Mar on the Run! says

        November 11, 2013 at 2:27 pm

        exactly 🙂
        Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…OBX Race Recap #1: Buccaneer 5KMy Profile

        Reply
  6. Anita says

    November 11, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    I haven’t run a full marathon … yet 😉 but I will be running my first half in 2014 and have set A, B, C and D goals for myself. Of course they are all subject to change.

    Best of luck with your marathon!
    Anita recently posted…Medals, Mizuno’s and Mmm Mmm Food – MIMMMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Betsy says

    November 11, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Haven’t run a full but for my half I did have a secret goal. I didn’t quite make it, but I was so happy with just finishing it didn’t matter!
    Betsy recently posted…365/310: 30 Days of Thanks Day 7My Profile

    Reply
  8. Amanda says

    November 12, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    Wishing you all the best! I know you’re going to do great. I did set a time goal (4:30) for my first. I agree with you that EVERYONE has a secret goal even if they’re all “don’t get goals.” Goals aren’t a bad thing!
    Amanda recently posted…My Victory LapMy Profile

    Reply
    • cdredden@gmail.com says

      November 13, 2013 at 9:23 am

      Yep – I 100% agree, Amanda. I just feel like it is almost impossible to train for so long and not have quantifiable goals 🙂 Thanks for all the support.

      Reply

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