Marathon try 2.0 goals
Thanks for all the words of encouragement on my marathon decision. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared for trying the marathon again. But I am also really excited 
Before my DNF, I had big, SMART goals for the race.
My main goal for this marathon should be pretty clear: to finish. I cannot wait to cross that finish line, wear my medal, and have marathon-sore legs for days. Seriously, one of the most heartbreaking things about DNFing was no sore legs. I want to earn them!
My other primary goal is to enjoy myself. I want to catch myself smiling during the marathon. I definitely felt this way the first few miles of the DNF (obviously, who doesn’t feel good the first few miles of a marathon? 
), but I also caught myself smiling during the latter part of my 16 miles on Friday. I genuinely enjoy running, and the race is supposed to be a celebration of your training. I need to remind myself of that at mile 22
If I can meet these 2 goals, I’d be a happy girl.
But I’m still Jen. And just because I DNF’d does not mean I lost my desire to run fast.
I’ve wavered on how I’m going to set time goals. I’m not going to try to qualify for Boston (a 3:40:59 marathon). Boston 2011 is closed. And even if the Boston Athletic Association doesn’t change the qualifying standards for 2012, I hope to be gestating or lactating during April 2012. So there’s no way I could run it. Yes, it’s still a huge accomplishment to BQ even without running the Boston marathon. But I want to BQ and use my BQ to run Boston. I still plan to BQ one day, just not this week.
And, my training plan was thoroughly screwed up with the DNF. I essentially tapered for 3 weeks, had one hard week of running, then tapered another week before this marathon. So an impressive time goal is probably not likely.
Time goal A: sub 3:50. Still very ambitious. I chose this goal because the pace (8:45ish) is basically 20 seconds per mile slower than what I needed to BQ.
Time goal B: break 4 hours. Chosen because in my brain, I associate sub 4 with hardcore This is a 9:09 minute/mile.
If I don’t meet either time goal, that’s fine. I’m looking at this race as a set point for my marathon training next Spring. Yup, I don’t even have the marathon down yet and I’m already looking ahead. I’m glad the DNF didn’t shatter my spirit
How do you pick time goals for races?
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October 24th, 2010 - 19:14
Hey Jen,
You may have already considered this and ruled it out, but have you ever thought about Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance as the culprit for your stomach troubles?? The thought came to my mind when I read the latest issue of Runner’s World when they discuss gluten free runners.
Just wanted to throw it out there. Good luck this weekend! I really think you will ROCK it!
October 24th, 2010 - 19:17
Thanks Sarah! My BFF has celiac disease, so sadly I know a lot about it. I’m pretty confident I don’t have it
October 24th, 2010 - 22:14
I thought the same thing, Sarah! Jen, your symptoms sound similar to what I went through before finally finding out I have Celiac. My friend and I both have a gluten intolerance, and we had complete opposite symptoms (one’s digestive system was over active while my system was under active). Plus I couldn’t associate my illness to a particular food, while she was able to pin-point it right away. So I wouldn’t completely go off of your symptoms compared to your friends, since in my experience we were opposites!
I would recommend getting tested or even just trying a g-free diet for several weeks. I’m not trying to contradict your beliefs on whether or not you have it, I just know I was miserable before I was diagnosed. I want to help anyone else that is suffering!
Good luck this weekend!
October 24th, 2010 - 19:18
Great goals, Jen! Your drive and determination is what makes you awesome. Regardless of what happens next week, I think you’re pretty hardcore.
Get lots of rest this week and enjoy the marathon experience. On Monday, those legs will remind you of every trying step!
October 24th, 2010 - 19:33
you’re goals are perfect! smiling is hard during those last 6 miles, no matter how trained/prepared you are
that might be the most challenging of your ambitions…
i pick both time and non-time goals for my races. this past one, i wanted to BQ, but i also wanted to have a marathon where i didn’t walk AT ALL. even when i did my first sub-four marathon i walked for almost a half a mile… and i probably pick my goals completely backwards. i decided what i want to do, then train to reach it. i’m pretty sure it’s better to train and base your goals on how the training has gone. oh well…i’m a little mixed up anyway…
October 24th, 2010 - 19:34
This is such a great post! I love how positive you always are!!! Any of those goals will be amazing… breaking 4 hours is a huge accomplishment but just finishing one is the best! Especially if you can do it with a smile on your face. I can’t wait to hear all about it…. then will you come up to NY and run with me?!?!
October 24th, 2010 - 19:45
Great post. It is inspiring to hear about your drive to finish a marathon so soon after a DNF! To me, it seams such a balance between the physical and mental, and you seem to have them both down for this next race.
I am running my first marathon in January, and want to run it for time, despite not having competed in a half before. I am so torn between other peoples advice and my belief in myself and what I can do. But hearing about your DNF, and drive to finish one so soon after, shows me there are others out there with that mental tenacity to not give up, and believe in themselves. Good luck on your race!!
October 24th, 2010 - 20:06
I think those are very reasonable goals. You can do it! I know you will be so happy when you cross that finish line! You can do it! I am rooting for you always!!
you have plenty of years to go to boston. maybe one day i cna go and be your cheerleader
October 24th, 2010 - 20:13
I love your new goals and I’m totally rooting for you to have an awesome race experience. The positive attitude you’ve maintained throughout your experience has been admirable. Way to go on not beating yourself up and revisiting your goals. Go out there, have fun and kick ass! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
October 24th, 2010 - 20:41
I set goals according to test training sessions. I have no idea how do you say it in English, we call it “apronte”. It’s the same thing that they do with horses, you clock the mile to get an idea of race pace. I clock the km, actually. Or 4 or 6 km, depends on the race.
I also set goal A, goal B and a non-time specific goal, which is pretty much always the same: finish strong!
Totally agree with sub 4 being hardcore. That’s why I set my Half goal at 2 hs tops. I felt that -for me- arriving after the 2 hr mark would be lame.
October 24th, 2010 - 21:09
You can so do it, Jen! Best of luck to you!!!! :0)
October 24th, 2010 - 21:24
Congrats on getting out there for another race! I mint see you there. I’m running my first hake and am so excited!
October 24th, 2010 - 23:11
Glad to see your running spirit is back in full force! I think your goals are reasonable, which is important after your heartbreaking DNF. Feel good about this next marathon!
October 25th, 2010 - 03:11
Woohoo- I’m hardcore! Sound like some awesome goals- go rock it and have fun!
October 25th, 2010 - 08:14
Good Luck on Saturday!! I’m running this race also but I’ve been too slack in my training to have any goals other than finish. I think you’ll end up being faster than you expect because of your strong base. It will be a very nice run on the Swamp Rabbit trail.. Remember to just have fun!
October 25th, 2010 - 10:13
I’m so excited for you! I think you can hit 3:50 because you are an awesome speed demon
I’m actually a little lost when it comes to setting race goals. I am estimating based on my time for long runs, but I feel that post-taper and with the crowd’s support I should be able to run a little faster than my last long run.
October 25th, 2010 - 10:37
I have a time goal for the 5k this weekend! It’s based on 1: what I know I can handle w/o getting injured and 2: what I think is respectable at this point in recovery from my injury.
I’m glad you’re running the marathon & excited to be there for it!!
October 25th, 2010 - 11:25
These sound like great goals to me! I think finishing will be huge for your confidence.
(though I’m super glad to see you haven’t lost your spirit!)
I actually was thinking about you this weekend, because I need to set my own SMART goals for my race on Sunday. I think it’s such a great way to frame it.
And I love your perspective on enjoying yourself during the marathon. It IS supposed to be a celebration of your training, but unfortunately that is something I sometimes lose sight of. Thanks for the reminder!!
Hope you have a restful week!!
October 25th, 2010 - 11:36
Your goals sound great – my favorite is the one about enjoying yourself and smiling! I usually smile like an idiot when a crowd is cheering for me!! I’m convinced that smiling gives me more adrenaline
I usually set time goals using the running calculators online in combination with how I’m feeling in my training and the times I’ve been able to hit during tempo runs.
October 25th, 2010 - 12:33
Great goals! I choose mine based on what my previous times were, how this training session has gone and where my body is at, injury/strength wise. Next marathon, I’m going to really focus on positive thinking for my race day strategy.
October 25th, 2010 - 16:17
Great attitude about your race. I always set a very ambitious goal for myself based on a recent P.R. and then I adjust it two or three weeks before my race based on how I am feeling. I ran a half yesterday with a cold, so my goal was readjusted with that in mind.