If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you already know that time goals are not my thing. I run because I need to run, so anything that takes away the enjoyment of running is something I don’t do. Speed work is not my jam and tempo runs kind of suck. You also won’t find me out there running for 4 hours on a training run (unless that training run happens to be a race).
So my goals don’t generally focus on pace. I run to finish. To have fun. To see my friends. To do a certain number of states in a row. But to actually hit a number on the clock? Nah, that hasn’t been a huge priority in a while.
But (you knew that was coming, right?) this year, I have some goals for the Marine Corps Marathon. I know I can finish (this is marathon #7). I know I can break 5 hours (I’ve done that 3 times so far). I know I can have fun while doing both of those.
I want to PR.
There. I said it. I’ve been working hard all summer to end up at race day able to run a 10:30 pace. My goal all summer was to run faster than my Marine Corps Marathon PR from 2008: 4:50:13.
Then I plugged 10:30 into a pace calculator and realized that put me with a finish time of 4:35:06.
More than a minute faster than my current PR of 4:36:34.
Well then.
Can I do it? I don’t know, but I fully plan to go out there and give everything I have that day. My friend told me tonight that he expects to find my ass lying on the course somewhere. Why? Because he expects me to run my ass off.
Challenge accepted.
You’ve GOT this!! Can’t wait to read about your PR!!
Thanks! And hopefully even if I don’t PR, I’ll run my fastest MCM.
I am rooting for you Erika!!! I know you can do it! Trust your training and run a smart race and you will get that goal!!!!
Thanks. I should be able to hold that pace, but we’ll find out on Sunday LOL.
Good luck! Your goals sound like mine for Vegas. I always run to have fun, and to cross the finish line… BUT I feel like you do.
Thanks!
Good luck, Erika! I hope you get your PR (and that the toes heal up quickly).
I find I do best running by pace, not time. I usually have a time goal, but it’s pretty loosey-goosey. But everyone is different, and you have definitely worked hard for it!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Great Pumpkin 10k Race Recap 10/14/17
I plan to just try to hit each mile at a specific pace up until mile 20 – then I’ll either push hard or fall apart LOL.
Good luck Erika!! You’ve trained hard and I really hope all the stars align for you!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Weekly Wrap: Unplugged
Fingers crossed. I’m a little nervous about the temps, but I did ok last year when it was warmer.
Good luck, Erika! If I see you lying on the course, I’ll pause your Garmin 😉
See you Sunday!
Half Horse Half Man recently posted…Los Angeles Marathon
Thanks, LOL.