Inspired in part by my friend Claire W.
[tweetmeme source=”luau” only_single=false http://www.URL.com%5D
Goals.
Ideally, you set them high, you work hard, you knock them down. As we entered the Taper Phase of Boston Marathon Training a couple weeks ago, a number of bloggers and dailymilers posted their goals for Monday’s race. The goals ranged from finishing in under 2:40:00 to just plain finishing. ALL good goals, and based on what I read, appropriate for the runners in question.
So what are my goals for the 2011 Boston Marathon? Like most marathoners, I have a tiered set of goals:
- A+ – a 3:10. This would require perfect conditions, both in terms of the weather, how my body felt, how the pack moved. If everything falls into place, this is what I will shoot for. The likelihood of achieving this goal is probably less than 10%, largely because seldom do the stars align just perfectly.
- A – a sub-3:15. I really do feel like this is within reach, based on how my training has gone and how I have felt during my long runs. If I can hit sub-3:15 I will be over the moon!
- B – A PR – that would be anything better than the 3:19:19 I posted at Smuttynose. I feel like I’m in better shape than I was in October. Still, I have to keep in mind that Boston is a much harder course than Smutty.
- C – Beat my New York Marathon Time – I should be able to beat the 3:26 I posted in New York, unless, like New York, I get nauseous and cramp up during the race.
- D – Finish – ’nuff said.
- E – I don’t crap my shorts – this may seem like a silly goal, but you just never know what the body will do to you over the course of 26.2 miles. Don’t believe it can happen? Google “runner craps his pants” and take a look at the first image that pops up. I am warning you in advance that the image is NOT for the faint at heart or those easily offended – you’ve been warned.
So, those are my goals. I have to admit, looking at this list, it is somewhat similar to my buddy Claire’s list (sorry Claire!).
What are your goals for your next race?
Run Luau Run 
The question for me is whether to google ” runner craps his pants” and we know what the goal is for that. You gotta believe. You just do.
I’m hoping I can meet or beat my last marathon time of 5:25. Yeah, it’s dreadfully slow for most, but it was great for me. I’m also really hoping I can far exceed my fundraising goal of $5k for Nashoba. If I can help get one kid with autism off their wait list I will have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams… 🙂
You are a hero to so many of us!
Yeah. “D” is pretty much my “A” goal EVERY race!
As far as a PR goes for Tom, that’s easy because our last marathon was 7 hours and 49 minutes but it was an incredible experience. I know that Tom wants to go out slow, pace himself and enjoy every minute of the journey. My goal is to go over $10K for our fund raising and we are only $861 away from that goal. My goals as a marathoner’s wife:
To not make a fool of myself with hysterical blubbering when I put him on the bus for Hopkinton
To be able to find a bathroom when I need it throughout the day
To stay hydrated and fueled – it’s exhausting watching a marathon
To make it from the finish line to the Westin Copley hotel – it’s easier for Tom to get from Hopkinton to Boston than to get from the finish line to anywhere else.
I think there is more bubbling up so if it’s okay – I’m gonna do my own blog post about the goals for the marathoner’s wife! Sounds like fun – latah!
And no matter what happens – you are A+ in my book
I look forward to reading that post! In the meantime, people can link to Tom’s Fund Raising page on the right side of this blog under Friends Running To Change The World.
Thank you so much Luau!
Glad I could be part of the goal setting process, my friend! Here’s to an A+ Monday!
Here’s to an A+ Monday!
for both of us!
I googled. That’s some phenomenal stuff. Good luck Monday, see you Saturday!
Looking forward to it Sam!
Great list! I hope you achieve your A+ !
I personally find it hard to have more than one time goal as I need to know how to pace myself. Will you be going out at a 3:26 or a sub 3:10 pace? I am currently torn whether to pace myself for a sub 3:00 or a sub 3:10 time for a BQ. Going out too fast or slow can jeopardize any time goal.
Boffyflow – I will probably go out somewhere between my A+ and A goal and then do self-diagnostics every 5 miles. The reason I like the multi-tiered goal is that we all have good days and bad days and I don’t want to psychologically kill myself if it becomes obvious I won’t hit 3:10 or even 3:15 on race day…if I run a 3:19 will I be disappointed? To be sure! But I will also know that I gave everything I had that day. You’re right though about going out too slow or too fast. I think that if you are shooting for sub-3:00, you head out a little slower than sub-3:00 pace. The beginning of Boston is tough on the quads…treat your legs right and you’ll make up the time on the back end. Good luck!
Thinking of you, check out “From Glass City to Boston, with a little tongue-in-cheek love” – http://www.chuckcova.blogspot.com
Dude, that’s a funny post man.
Good Luck!!!!! 😀