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Race Goals for B&A Trail Half Marathon

March 22, 2017 By: Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC20 Comments

Well, after what has felt like a LONG winter of training, race day is just about here. I’ve said this multiple times but I am ready to race. I think I’m well prepared – I’ve run over 460 miles in training over the past few months and I’ve had success at hitting my paces in workouts. I’ve also had some pleasant surprises, like unexpectedly setting a PR in January. Of course, there have been set backs as well. I had some challenges over the past few weeks, with a medical issue and then a death in the family and those things were tough both physically and emotionally. However, I’m very confident in the work I’ve put in and I can’t wait to race on Sunday. 

B&A Goals

I like to set three goals for big races – A, B and C. My A goal is my perfect day goal. My B goal is an average day – what I’d expect to run. My C goal is not a great day and something may have gone wrong. While I usually set time goals, for this cycle, I’ve been focusing in terms of pace. So that’s how I’ll list my goals below. 

  • A Goal: 8:30 pace. I ran an 8:38 pace in January at Phoenix and that felt hard. However, I think that I am capable of racing at this pace and would be thrilled with this result. My speed work and tempo runs show that I can run 8:30 pace – the question is will everything come together on Sunday to allow me to average that pace for 13.1 miles. 
  • B Goal: 8:38 pace. I hope that at a minimum I can match my PR pace from January. January’s race was on a weird, challenging course and while B&A does have one hill, I think the course will be better overall. 
  • C Goal: Sub-9 pace. I’d be disappointed if I did not run a sub-9 minute mile pace on Sunday. I know that I am definitely capable of doing such so not doing so would be a tough day. 

Well, here goes nothing! Check back in a few days to see how it goes!

Who else is racing this upcoming weekend? What’s your weather? I honestly haven’t even checked the forecast yet! 


Comments

  1. Wendy says

    March 22, 2017 at 7:39 pm

    You’ve got this! You’ve put in the work and it shows.

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 22, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Thank you – I’m looking forward to it!

      Reply
  2. Tracy says

    March 22, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    I think you’ll end up surprising yourself! You’re more than ready for all of these goals. Best of luck this weekend!

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 22, 2017 at 9:25 pm

      Thanks Tracy – I’m ready to see what I can do!

      Reply
  3. Tara says

    March 22, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    I know you can do this, I know you can hit your ‘A’ goal, and I’ll be cheering for you no matter what! I think that the knowledge that I can do it, that I’ve put in the work and am capable of acknowledging my progress, is more important than any time on a clock; celebrate your badassery, my friend!
    Tara recently posted…Ten Books You Can Read in One DayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 24, 2017 at 5:09 pm

      Thanks Tara – I do plan to celebrate my badassery 🙂

      Reply
  4. Kimberly G says

    March 22, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    I’m so excited for you. You have really put in all the work to PR and I’ll be cheering for you virtually this weekend

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 24, 2017 at 5:12 pm

      Thank you – I’m excited as well!

      Reply
  5. Dodie says

    March 23, 2017 at 7:45 am

    Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll be anxiously checking Facebook and Instagram waiting to see how you did.

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 24, 2017 at 5:15 pm

      Thanks Dodie! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    March 23, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    I’m very excited to see how this goes, I know you’re gonna kill it!!
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Running 101: How to Build a Support System As a New RunnerMy Profile

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 24, 2017 at 5:20 pm

      Thanks Janelle – I’m excited as well!

      Reply
  7. Shannon @GirlsGotSole says

    March 23, 2017 at 7:30 pm

    Good luck on Sunday! Trust in your training!
    Have a great race!

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 24, 2017 at 5:21 pm

      Thanks Shannon – always a good reminder!

      Reply
  8. Coco says

    March 23, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    I know you’ve got this! You are so ready.

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 24, 2017 at 5:30 pm

      Thank you – I sure hope it all comes together this weekend!

      Reply
  9. Jennifer @ Dashing in Style says

    March 24, 2017 at 6:57 pm

    I’m excited to see what you’ll do. I have a feeling you’re going to do awesome! I won’t say good luck because you’ve put in so much work you don’t need it. Go out and be awesome!!!

    Reply
    • Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC says

      March 25, 2017 at 8:37 pm

      Thanks so much – I’m very excited and a little bit nervous!

      Reply
  10. Cathy says

    March 25, 2017 at 1:02 am

    That confidence in your training will get you to your A goal. As always, though, anything can happen on race day.
    Good luck! Looking forward to reading how you did.

    Reply
  11. Zenaida says

    March 25, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    I am so excited for you! You’ve done the work and it will all come together on race day.

    Reply

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