Goal Setting

I have had numerous drafts of goals over the course of my 19 week training schedule. I figure since the race is two weeks away today, it's time I nailed them down. I have just returned home from my last Sunday long run, feeling great. Taking it a bit easy to rest my ailments was probably a wise decision but I really enjoy pushing myself and since today's long was a little shorter I was able to do that and it will help my confidence at least. So while I was out I was thinking about the various goals I had set and how they have been moving targets as my schedule progressed but now was the time to finalize them since I think I know what I should be able to aim for.

The advice is to have 3 separate goals - 1 not based on time, 1 for what you really believe you can achieve on your race day, and 1 stretch goal in the case you're feeling really good and you have an "ideal" race day - so here they are:

1 - Finish. Upright and Smiling. And before the course closes. And not last. And not within sight of the emergency vehicles that follow the last runner. Ok maybe that's a few.

2 - Finish under 5:00. It bothers me that this is my #2 goal because not long ago, being close to 5 when I come to the finish line would have really disappointed me but given the problems I've had and the adjustments I've had to make to my training, unfortunately now that is my "achievable realistic" goal. I hope. I say this knowing the course climbs for 20 kms with most of the worst parts from 21-31 so I hope this shouldn't really be my stretch goal. I'm hoping training in this horribly hilly city has prepared me well for that.

3 - Finish under 4:30. On a flat course on an ideal race day with my body at 100%, this would not be my "stretch goal" but for this race it is.

Oh yeah, and all the crap about the kids. [Ed. note: ref is to Steve Martin's classic Xmas eve skit]