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.
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!
You’ve got this! You’ve put in the work and it shows.
Thank you – I’m looking forward to it!
I think you’ll end up surprising yourself! You’re more than ready for all of these goals. Best of luck this weekend!
Thanks Tracy – I’m ready to see what I can do!
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!
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Thanks Tara – I do plan to celebrate my badassery 🙂
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
Thank you – I’m excited as well!
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’ll be anxiously checking Facebook and Instagram waiting to see how you did.
Thanks Dodie! 🙂
I’m very excited to see how this goes, I know you’re gonna kill it!!
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Thanks Janelle – I’m excited as well!
Good luck on Sunday! Trust in your training!
Have a great race!
Thanks Shannon – always a good reminder!
I know you’ve got this! You are so ready.
Thank you – I sure hope it all comes together this weekend!
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!!!
Thanks so much – I’m very excited and a little bit nervous!
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.
I am so excited for you! You’ve done the work and it will all come together on race day.