Many runners thrive on having goals and working towards them.

For myself, I run better when I have a race that I train for…although many runners never run a single race and that’s just fine!

I find the motivation to get out the door easier if there is a goal on the horizon.

Off-season is pretty hard for me if other things come up…it’s not difficult for me to decide not to run.

Realistic Goals

For those who race, having a goal for a certain time is pretty common.

While it is easy to say “I want to BQ (run in a time that gets you into the Boston Marathon) or “I want to run a sub 3-hour marathon”, our goals have to be realistic for where we are now.

Because I am over 50, it is much more realistic at this point in my life to say I want to qualify for Boston than it would be to say I want to run a sub 3-hour marathon.

Time qualifiers for most marathons are age-based, so if I keep at my running I can hopefully BQ at some point.

Since I didn’t start running until I was 39, I didn’t have any “glory days” to worry about.

I didn’t run track in high school or college…in fact, I didn’t do any sports whatsoever.

I was actually thrilled when I had a broken arm in 10th grade, because it meant I was going to miss the basketball portion of gym class that year.

When you set goals for yourself, they have to be something you can actually do. Otherwise, you are setting yourself up for disappointment over and over again.

It is great to have a goal that is beyond what you are capable of at the moment, but have the understanding that it may be a few years down the road and some hard training before you get there.

A-B-C Goals

So how do you figure out what kind of goals you should have?

If you want a time for a race, think about what you are capable of now (either using online calculators or a previous race or what your paces are now).

When I set my “A” goal, It is something that is just out of reach for me at the moment.

My fastest marathon is a 4:09:33 (this past May). My “A” goal…break the 4 hour mark.

I can run a sub 2-hour half, so even though I have to shave about 10 minutes off the marathon time I feel like with enough training (and LOTS of will power and stamina) I should be able to do that.

I know I have to take my age into consideration, but so far I feel like that hasn’t been too detrimental for me.

When I run Chicago in October, while it would GREAT to reach my “A”, I’m not counting on it.

My training this summer has not been aggressive enough.

So I know going in, that goal is not for Chicago.

My “B” goal…one that stretches me, but isn’t unrealistic is to PR. Usually, this is my “B”. For now, anything faster than 4:09:33.

One thing I need to take into consideration is the crowds of runners at Chicago. Over 40,000!

Now, with the different waves it is not all at once…but it will be a factor.

I read that it isn’t until mile 16 or so before you start to feel like you aren’t in a crowd.

That in itself is something I am going to have to “get over”, because it does not sound very fun.

I am a negative splitter for most races, though, so it may be to my advantage to be forced to go slower in the first half.

My “C” goal…Anything faster than 4:30:00. This goal is the goal that is very attainable and will still make me feel like I did well.

While it is not a wild goal, if I have that “C” in my back pocket it will help me make smart decisions should I feel sick or fatigued. Or that it just wasn’t my day.

To be honest, for this marathon I also have a “D” goal…just have fun!

I think since this marathon is brand new to me, I will be able to just go out and run and enjoy the city and the crowds if the wheels come off and I can’t do “A”. “B” OR “C”.

Goals are Personal

My goals are not your goals.

You may not even have any at the moment or don’t ever care to.

Just getting out for a run can be enough of a goal.

Don’t let other runners determine your goals…or anyone for that matter.

One of the great things about the sport is unless you are an elite runner with sponsorships and earning money from your races, your biggest competition is with yourself.

Comparing ourselves with others can be tempting, but most of the time we are wanting to better than we were the day before.

Make your goals a reflection of you and where you want to be…not what someone else wants you to be.

If you have to, keep your goals to yourself. If not achieving them will cause anyone in your life to put you down…don’t tell them!

Goals Should be Specific and Trainable

Since I have a running website, and I talk about my goals…they are written down.

You may not have to write them in order for them to be real to you, but if you keep a running journal why not just jot down a few?

Do you want to run for a longer period of time? Write down “I want to be able to run for 60 minutes by October”.

Then, research how you are going to do that.

Online coaches are plentiful if you want to go that route. If you get one, they are going to ask you that question anyway so you may as well have a good answer!

Are you going to get a book to help you? Website?

Don’t just go willy-nilly. A little research will help you to safely reach that goal.

Do you want to get first place in your age group for a 5k? Do your due diligence. Pick a 5k, find your age group and see what the winning time was for the last few years.

Figure out…can I do this? Or is this an “A” goal that I will work toward and get there in a longer period of time?

The more specific you can be about what you want to do with your running, the better able you will be to reach that goal.

Here’s another article on running goals by David Dack over at The Runner’s Blueprint.

Let’s Set a Goal Today!

Whether you run every day or are still a beginner, try setting a goal before the end of the day.

If you would like someone to know about it, or you need a little help with it, let me know!

Send me an email at sherry@wrinkledrunner.com or fill out the contact form here on the site and tell me about your goal. If I can give you some encouragement, I would love to do so.