The Evolution of a Running Goal

If you read my post on Friday, you would recall that my very first race was the Disney Royal Family 5k. After that race, I knew that I was going to continue to make a Disney race an annual thing. Around that time my sister continued to run more long distance races and I thoroughly enjoyed being her cheerleader on the sidelines.  I knew I could never run a 10K or half marathon so I was just happy to show support and hold a sign.

After experiencing the excitement as I cheered for her at the Rock n Roll Virginia beach half marathon, I made it a goal of mine to become good enough to actually run the Rock n Roll 5k race. I was happy running the Disney 5Ks but I thought it might be exciting to run a race that is actually chip timed and earn a real medal, not those rubber medallions that Disney gives out.

Yup, so this was my only goal, to run the Rock n Roll 5k race because I didn't think I was capable of anything else.  I really wanted to run one of the larger Disney races so I thought maybe, just maybe I could run the Tower of Terror 13K relay.  But then Disney changed that race to a 10 miler so that was absolutely out of the question.

The following year, after our 3rd Royal Family 5K at Disney, my mom and I made a pact that we were going to train for the Princess Half Marathon.  I couldn't believe what I had just agreed to. I couldn't imagine completing a 5k and then having to run 10 more miles! During that time I gradually increased my race distance. I actually did run my first timed 5K, (but it wasn't RnR VA Beach), I ran a 7K, 8K, and a few 10Ks  and a half of a half, before I finally took the plunge.

I've come along way from my only goal being to run a timed 5K.  Since I started training for actual "timed" races my goals have been this.......

To run a 5K under 30 minutes - Check, did that
To run a 10K under 60 minutes- Check, did that
To run a half marathon under 2:30 - Crushed it!

I never thought I would run a marathon so just finishing was my goal! Did that twice.

These were my very first running goals when I didn't even really know what I was capable of. Quite honestly I don't even know how I came up with these times as goals. I think I just picked them out of a hat or something...haha

2016 is my year to enjoy running pain free and so far it's going well. I am probably due to work on getting those time goals down even further since my PR's are very old, but I'm not sure if working on speed quite yet is where I need to be.   How did you know when it was time to adjust your running goals?  -M

Oh, and by the way, I never did get to run that Rock n Roll 5K race in VA Beach.

We will be linking up with the gals from TOTR.

47 comments:

  1. I wasn't as methodical as you were. I know I started with a few 5ks then a 10K then a 10M. It was a while before I did a Half and I've stopped there. Now I'm more likely to try a race based on what friends are doing - like Ragnar.

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    1. Oh I definitely wanted to make sure I was prepared for a half by running all the other distances I could..lol

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  2. There came a moment when I realised that my goals were unrealistic and I was never going to be able to do a half marathon. So, I just settled with what I knew I could do without seriously hurting myself.

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    1. I'm sure you could do a half marathon! You just have to find a rhythm that is right for you. It might be a run/walk but I'm sure you could do it!

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  3. There's nothing wrong with taking this year to enjoy your running and focus on doing so pain free. You'll know when its time to focus on your speed and getting new PRs. I have run the RnRVB 5k, and even though you get to run through the heart of the beach area for the entire race, I much prefer the half marathon, so I don't think you're missing out on anything. :)

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    1. Yea, I've done much better 5k's since then so I'm not that sad about it!

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  4. The Tower of Terror 10 miler as a goal was actually what started me running! I figured I'd set a big goal so that it would keep me working. Of course, half way through that training cycle I decided that if I'm going to do a 10 miler, I might as well do a half marathon afterward to keep capitalizing on that training. And that's how I got hooked :)

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    1. I will always remember TOT as one of my best races back then!

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  5. Its funny because I always say you "catch the running bug" when you go to finish lines & see others doing it. Its contagious! Always want to step it up

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    1. O yes, I agree! Spectating at my sisters first Disney half marathon was one of the most exciting things I've done! I loved being in the magic kingdom watching all the runners come by and then again at the finish line. Sometime I want to go to Disney just to watch a race, not to run it!

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  6. I'm going to focus on smaller distances too! I think if you took it easy you could definitely complete 26.2.

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  7. Such amazing goals and you crushed them all :) Way to go!

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  8. I love looking back and thinking how scary longer distances seemed to me at the time!

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  9. Way to go and meet those goals!! I'm glad you went out and gave it your all!

    When I agreed to do my first 10K, I kept thinking "that's 2 5Ks, right after each other". and when I signed up for the Half marathon, I thought... "that's 4 and a half 5ks right after each other!"... Im glad I wasn't the only one doing math this way!

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  10. I evolved my running into longer distances over time - I had the same mindset as you for quite a while...a 5K was the most I'd ever be able to run. I was wrong, although I still have no desire to go for a full marathon.

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    1. I never thought I would want to do a full marathon either!

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  11. My first running race was a half marathon (Disneyland). It was a New Year's Resolution and my goals were "to finish" and "to run the whole thing (even if I'm running very slowly)." I did both of those things! I was a girl that hated running growing up (asthma, allergies) and I did a 10k as part of a triathlon a few years before I decided to run a half marathon. Since then, I've run three more halves, a 10k, and an 8-miler. I've actually never run a 10k, haha!

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  12. I have the same exact goals! I am 17 seconds away from the 5K! I did my half in under 2:30 so I need a new goal right? funny how we come up with these random goals and then try do hard to get to them!

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  13. The first race I did was a half marathon. I literally had never run more than a couple of blocks without walking. I don't advise doing what I did, it was super stressful and I was VERY slow. Lol

    It's so great that you're back to running. Worry about the times later- just keep getting stronger!

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  14. Fun story! I think it's great how you went from thinking a 5K was about it for you, to being totally fine just supporting your "rock star" sister:) Then running for you took on a path of it's own, and now look at all your own accomplishments.
    Sometimes its fun too look back and remember how it all began!

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  15. Thats great that you have goals and were able to check them off. I need to make some goals for myself again:)

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  16. I still strive to run a 5k in under 30 minutes and it is still very hard for me each time! Great goals and even better you crushed them!!!

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    1. This warms my heart that you have the same 5k goal. Most people I know are trying to keep their under 25 min and it makes me feel so slow...lol

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  17. I usually just think about my PRs and then what is realistic based on my current fitness. I also test out how I am doing through some of my workouts. Thats awesome that you have already achieved so many running goals!

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    1. Thank you Lisa. Even if I never get another PR at least I know I am happy with what I've already accomplished!

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  18. I think running goals definitely evolve over time and like you, I had modest goals to start with and actually a goal to only run a half marathon and then hang up my running shoes. Obviously that did not happen. You will know when it is the right time to start training for a PR again, but if you decide not too, it doesn't diminish your running at all.

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  19. Congratulations on crushing all of your running goals and making so much progress! Isn't it amazing what the body is capable of doing once you put your mind to it? I remember I used to listen to folks say they "only" ran 5 miles over the weekend and be amazed. Now I'm one of those folks that says the same thing - and sometimes I still can't believe it! Cheers to all of us continuing to progress and to run pain-free!!!

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  20. When things start seeming too "easy", I up the ante - either in distance or time. But sometimes it's good to run goal free and just enjoy the running.

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  21. Wow! Great job on crushing goals, can't wait to read about what you tackle next :-)

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  22. Nice work! I also want to run pain free this year. I hope it happens for the both of us :)

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  23. I thought the same thing when I first started running - I could never race further than 5K. But it's amazing what our bodies can do! Can't wait to run my first marathon this year, but I am secretly thinking about my next running goal already!

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  24. Girl, I think I sometimes pick my time goals out of a hat too! I love that your 2016 goal is to run pain free. If you are questioning if working on speed now is in line with that, then just follow your gut and add in speed when you feel comfortable. And of course, add it in gradually!

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  25. 2016 is my year to run injury free as well and hopefully add back in a half marathon. I know we can both do it!

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  26. Wow what a journey! It's so funny how we think we can only do so much and then end up exceeding our own expectations! My main goal is just to keep up my consistency as a runner and stay healthy.

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  27. It is crazy how our running goals change and adapt as we crush them! It's crazy to think that goals that seemed impossible are now just check marks. That's one reason why I love running so much. It proves that you can do the impossible.

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  28. I'm also taking this year to enjoy what I'm doing. It's been fun looking forward to the Disney race next month, then I'll focus on continuing my strength building and enjoying that.

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  29. Isn't it funny to look back and see how far our mind set has come? I said I would never run more than a half and I would only run one half just to say I did it! Whoops... LOL

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  30. I think having a goal to run pain-free is important and I'm happy to hear it's going well. Sometimes all it takes to reignite our love of running is to just run just for the fun of it! Awesome!

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  31. great job crushing all those goals -- it feels so incredible to push yourself to new limits and conquer things you thought were out of the question at one point, doesn't it?? it still amazes me that i've run 2 marathons (and hit my time goal for my second) and i wonder what else my body is willing to do! :)

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  32. I think early on, so many of our running goals are mere stabs in the dark! I too set goals much more conservatively than the average bear. Its just how I'm tuned. Thanks for linking up!

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  33. Isn't it amazing how we have this idea of our capabilities and usually we're wrong? I used to think a 10k was daunting and a marathon out of the question, and now I've done 3. I love how running breaks down our mental limits and makes us stronger in the process!

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  34. Your 2016 goal is a great one! I think it takes a lot of work to run pain free- you really have to know your body and be in sync with your running. My goals started out with a half and then I wanted to work on time. I think it was 3 years before I ran a 10k. lol. Goals definitely do evolve. First it was speed, then distance (marathon), and now is just getting back to things after baby. My goal for next year (haha yes, I'm way ahead) is to run a sub 2-hr half. :)

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  35. I feel like running is something that grows with us, and that we grow with--we don't always know that we are adjusting and evolving until after we already have! #livebeyondexpectation

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  36. Running without pain and injury is a great goal! But I understand feeling the need to add a time/pace goal. I think when you'll know when you're ready. When you start feeling excitement about really getting after it on race day, I think it's a sign that you're ready to start training for a time at the next race.

    P.S. I can't believe Disney gives out rubber medals for the 5k races. Not cool!

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    1. The rubber medals weren't that bad. Actually they are kind of cute! It never really bothered me since most 5K's don't even give out medals.

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  37. I had a year where my entire goal was to get healthy and run injury free - it is a good goal.

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  38. Aw, how cool to relive your running history and see all your accomplishments! Nice work.

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