Goals for this weekend are somewhat scattered as they were for my last half, but I also feel that having different levels of goals for each race is very important because honestly, if you set yourself up to succeed you will, but you have to give yourself the chance.
The first time I ran a half marathon I remember my only goal was to complete it. Now I know I can increase the goal with time and mile splits. I know that it’s super helpful once you sign up for a race to have the goal of completion. Whether that would be run/walk the whole thing, running the race, or just finishing the race. Once you have a goal and you set your mind to achieving that goal it’s so much easier to start running and complete workouts. You can start our with a goal of a 5k, or a 10k and just make sure you set attainable goals for yourself. You can even make fun goals, and then during the race think of your goals.
My last half one of my goals was to practice drinking more water on the course. Running and drinking water at the same time is a pretty hard task, but after trying different ways to grab the cup and drink it quickly and efficiently during the last race I feel that I can say I’ve definitely improved in that area. Its much harder than you think maneuvering through those cup throwing runners. Don’t believe me, take a peek at the pictures below. Look at all those cups. Now imagine them being hurled at you from people in front of you. Not good. The last picture you can even see the cup flying through the air. Too out of control for me.
Anyways as for this weekend, I’m feeling really good about the race thus far. I am starting to get a little nervous which I know is necessary and I actually feel ready to race. I know there are going to be a ton of people there, this may even be the biggest half marathon I’ve done thus far, so I know the first few miles might be a lot of dodging and weaving, which is annoying but at races, it happens.
My A Goal is : Finish time from 1:40-1:45
My B Goal is : Finish time from 1:45-1:50
My C Goal is : Work on racing more than just running
My D Goal is : Focus on finishing the race, pushing myself and the mile splits.
So in more depth, my A goal is to finish and PR by about 2 minutes. I think if I can finish in 1:45 I will be incredibly happy considering the mass of people that will be at this race and that it will be a new PR. I know I can do it, but I also know I’m going to have to push myself when I’m not feeling amazing.
My B goal is to finish roughly around my 1:48:xx PR that I have now, and I am pretty sure that this is pretty feasible. I wasn’t feeling amazing, and literally wanted to quit my last race when I ran this PR so to run that again would be somewhat disappointing.
My C Goal is to work on racing more than just running. This might sound weird but sometimes when I’m running I totally zone out and become a little space cadet. I know this cannot happen this weekend if I’m going to mentally be in the race the entire time. I need to focus on racing and keeping up with everyone and not be discouraged or let myself be hurting. I know running is an intense mental sport. Not everyone can continue to keep pushing themselves forward, it takes a lot of willpower to keep going and I know if I focus the whole race, I will succeed. So if you see me just tell me to stay focused! :)
My D Goal is also to work on my focus during the race but to focus on the splits and how I can improve my time and stay on the pace I’m currently running. I don’t want to let myself start hurting and then just slow down like I did at the last half I ran. I know if I stay on pace I am destined for good things, I just have to will myself to do that and keep pushing myself. I used to push myself during my races back in high school, but that was a lot different than today, it was only 3 miles, and I was averaging a 6:30 mile… yea not going to happen anymore. I know I can push myself to run hard throughout the whole race though and I can push myself harder than I have in the past races where I was just running for fun, or to complete a race.
Overall though, I do want to have fun in this race, it’s a beautiful course and the weather should be amazing which is always helpful. I have been looking forward to this race and it’s a part of the California Dreamin‘ Series that I’m working on completing so I know it will be exciting. I’m thinking of making a shirt that says MY FAMILY IS LAME, SO PLEASE YELL GO DANICA. I saw a picture of it on some one’s blog and I wish I remember who because it’s hilarious, if it’s you let me know!! So we’ll see, planning the outfit is my next big task.
As for a workout today, just going to do some painting of my desk tonight and then a biggest loser workout video, but not the one with all the squats, I don’t want to be killing myself before my race!
xoxo
42 Comments so far
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You are going to do AWESOME for this half chica!! I just know it ;D Now go out there and kick some serious A!!
By Marcy on 01.27.09 12:00 pm
You rock! GOOD LUCK! I am sure you will meet your goals!
By Jamie and Craig on 01.27.09 12:13 pm
Sounds like you have some great goals in mind. good luck!
By Allie on 01.27.09 12:21 pm
I have been in need of some serious exercise inspiration and your blog is it! I am so glad that I stumbled across it!!!
Good luck on your next race.
By The New Black on 01.27.09 12:31 pm
Just came across your blog..good luck this weekend (once again – someone much faster than me). You go!
By Run Mommy on 01.27.09 12:32 pm
Hilarious shirt idea :)
GO DANICA!!!
By joyRuN on 01.27.09 12:41 pm
You are totally gonna rock Surf City half this weekend. I think you’ll be exceeding your expectations, too! Good luck D!! :-)
By Julianne on 01.27.09 12:41 pm
you always have to rearrange your goals. That’s great! You are going to do great. I like those pics!
By N.D. on 01.27.09 12:44 pm
You’ll make that A goal!
My family has only come to one race…I know how you feel. At least my hubby is faster than me and waits at finish lines for me.
If I lived near the race I’d come to cheer you on!
By Alisa on 01.27.09 12:58 pm
1:44:59.
Now don’t let me down! ;)
By Burger on 01.27.09 1:11 pm
You’re going to do awesome in this race. I think it is great that you set up so many varying goals. I bet you can hit your A goal!
With regards to dazing out – I actually think that is great. As long as while you’re dazed out you stay at the pace you want to stay. For my race last weekend I tried really hard to get in a zone and just stay there. It totally helped me.
Good luck!
By Emily on 01.27.09 1:17 pm
You go-al gurl!
By Stuart on 01.27.09 1:36 pm
You will ROCK this half, I know it, homeslice. Just relax and have fun. The kicking ass part will follow.
By BeachRunner on 01.27.09 1:47 pm
LOL, love the shirt idea :-)
By Katie on 01.27.09 2:07 pm
Well said about the goals earlier in the post. You have some great goals set before you and I know your going to do awesome. I love the idea for the shirt! Somebody was thinking…
Good Luck and I can’t wait for the race report!
By kristen on 01.27.09 2:09 pm
I Just recently came across your blog. Good Luck on the upcoming race!
By Running Through Life on 01.27.09 2:44 pm
I’m so bummed. My goal would be 1:45 but not with this situation. I am just hoping to not have to walk at all. booooo
By P.O.M. on 01.27.09 2:59 pm
Sounds like a good game plan. I also like having various goals – I think it can help you push when the going getd tough, but also allows some wiggle room if it happens to be an ‘off’ day.
GO DANICA!!
By Marlene on 01.27.09 3:09 pm
You are going to do great. I love your comment about giving yourself a chance to succeed, so true.
By D10 on 01.27.09 5:06 pm
Good luck this weekend!
The photo from the Chicago 2007 marathon made me sad. That was a hot mess.
By ShoreTurtle on 01.27.09 5:17 pm
You’re going to do great this wknd! And I’ll be thinking of you from New Orleans!
By Denise on 01.27.09 5:25 pm
Great goals, good luck. I will be looking forward to seeing how it goes!
By Amanda on 01.27.09 5:35 pm
Oh man I am so jealous you get to run a half this weekend, especially in weather that is not below freezing!! Have fun – I am sure you can PR – just keep thinking those positive thoughts!!
By J on 01.27.09 5:51 pm
Good luck on the half. Those goals are completely attainable as long as you believe you can. We all have the strength deep down!
By Anonymous on 01.27.09 5:54 pm
Good luck this weekend! I know your going to rock that race! If you believe you can, you WILL.
By Matt on 01.27.09 5:55 pm
you’re going to have such a good time and good race, im getting race jealousy. i think the course is gonna be amazing.
funny shirt, you should def make one.
By skinnyrunner on 01.27.09 6:00 pm
Those all sound like great goals. I tend to space out when I run too and slip into the same pace I’ve been running for years.
Good luck this weekend! Look forward to reading all about it.
By X-Country2 on 01.27.09 7:13 pm
Good luck this weekend! You have several great goals and I’m sure you’ll meet at least one of them :)
By jaime on 01.27.09 7:48 pm
Your gonna kick it on your half girl! Those are awesome goals and i cant wait to hear how you do! Be sure to take pics and post pics of your outfits. Its fun seeing what everyone chooses on race day!
GOOD LUCK!
By NiC on 01.27.09 8:28 pm
Good luck, hope you make your “a” goal.
By Marci on 01.27.09 9:13 pm
Wow. Keep going!! You are amazinggg woman!
By jlc on 01.27.09 10:07 pm
Go Danica. Get that A goal!
By Donald on 01.27.09 10:07 pm
Your goals are really good for this race. It sounds like you’re both physically and mentally prepared for the challenge. Have fun and go for it!
By The Laminator on 01.27.09 10:12 pm
Aw… good luck this weekend! You will do awesome!
And I am horrible with drinking water during races while running – I have to walk it for sure.
And love the T-shirt saying! I’ll cheer for you from up north…
By audgepodge on 01.27.09 10:26 pm
Good luck this weekend!!! I’ll be yelling GO DANICA from over here, okay? :) Whoo-hoo!
P.S. Make sure to post a pic of your finished desk!
By Marathon Maritza on 01.27.09 11:02 pm
Good Luck this weekend. It’s an awesome race and I wish I could’ve made it down to race. Alaska is so far away from all these cool races! Prices of plane tickets are too much for me lately. Gotta stick to your goals!
By Tom Ritchie on 01.28.09 1:14 am
Those are great goals! Good luck!
By Jess on 01.28.09 6:26 am
best of luck on the race…great that you have goals set out there…love the shirt idea, you should totally do that…
By Oz Runner on 01.28.09 6:32 am
Nice goals. I think it is great to have four tiers. I’ll send some positive vibes for goal A!
By The Happy Runner on 01.28.09 7:51 am
I’m your family, and I am not lame! GO DANICA!!!
I’ll be thinking of you as I run my 5K :)
By Jodi on 01.28.09 12:12 pm
I love the multi leveled goals. I’ve always been told that you should do that, but have always been really bad about actually DOING it.
You’ll do great! sounds like you are getting in the right frame of mind already.
By Adam on 01.28.09 3:29 pm
those are awesome goals!!! good luck!!!
i am doing the same thing right now for the half this weekend. i know what i want to run but i dont know if i can run it right now so we will see :)
YAY for racing this weekend!
By aron on 01.29.09 9:56 am
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