"What's Your Goal Time For Boston?" - Said Everyone Always
/Did you know I am running the Boston Marathon? I know I never mention it on here and couldn't be any less excited about it....
Allowing time for eye rolls from you the reader to take place
So back to reality!
The race is one month from TODAY! Say wha? I know. Time freakin' flies folks.
So soon you will be seeing Flat Dani make an appearance.
Flat Dani 2013
(Feel free to check out my 2013 recap here)
One of the first questions someone asks when finding out I am running the Boston Marathon is:
What is your goal time?
Now last year I had levels of goals laid out.
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2013 Goals Were:
1) Finish. Seems like a simple request, but you really never know what can happen during a given race so I want to remain healthy enough to complete the 26.2 mile crusade.
2) Post a time sub 4 hours. This was my goal for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon in November 2012 (my 2nd marathon) and I accomplished it then (3:58:49) so I would like to do that again if I can.
3) PR – 3:55. This is a dream, but keeping it as a possibility based on my previous training runs. If I could keep a steady 9:00 min/mile pace, I would post a 3:55:48, which would be a 3 minute PR. I would take that for sure!!
4) PR – 3:51. I could obtain this if I kept an average pace of 8:50. Definitely a possibility if I find people with a similar pace to mine. I always run better when I have a partner who is faster they I am. Why? Well I always doubt my speed and having someone with me pushes me.
5) PR – 3:50 or less. A girl can Wish Upon A Star, ya know?
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After posting a 4:04:08 in 2013, I was angry at myself. I had a foot pain start at Mile 17 and just not leave me alone the rest of the race. I stopped to stretch at every med tent, etc. Obviously, once everything happened at the Finish Line just after I crossed. The perspective changed. But, I still was upset with myself for only accomplishing 1 of the possible 5 I had set out.
I DID make sure to soak up every minute of the course and had a blast while out there. It was - at the time - a once in a lifetime experience for me.
Fast forward to the Tedy's Team post-marathon party the week after the marathon and I am given the opportunity to return to the team for 2014. Every one of my teammates, whether they finished or not, were coming back ... so I definitely was.
The level of emotions I have felt since April 15, 2013 and on every run since then run the gamut.
Having said all that, my goals haven't really changed from the ones set in 2013. I would LOVE to run a sub-4 at Boston and in 2013 I was soooo damn close.
But my #1 priority, is to again soak up every minute of that race. Like Tedy Bruschi said, the Start Line is the Finish and the race is the after party! So I am ready to have a freakin' blast on April 21.
I am worried that emotions will play a factor in pace, etc. So I am trying to have that inner conversation about knowing that is okay. This race and experience is not about time. Dear Dani, it is NOT about time.
Oh who am I kidding - I do care about the time. I am trying not to, but it is hard after being so close last year.
I did the Black Cat 20-miler two weeks ago in 2:57:59 (8:54 min/mile pace). If I could keep that up for 6.2 additional miles I am set. Heck, if I can keep a steady 9 min/mile pace I would PR.
But, I need to run a smart race. I have learned from last year and I hope to show up on race day a smarter runner ... the second time around.
One never knows what can happen on race day. The body may feel off. A twinge of pain can come out of nowhere (thanks 2013). So I am trying not to psyche myself out by putting a lofty goal in my head.
Whatever happens on April 21, I will be wearing a smile ear to ear - unless I am crying then well you know what to expect. :P
With you all by my side and in my head and heart, I will run the strongest race I can.
All I can ask of myself is to give it my all.
Now about that post-race beer?
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2014 Goals Are:
1) Finish. I thought about Goal 1 being make it to the start line, but I figure even if I am crawling from second one - I would be at the Start.
2) Beat 4:04:08. Always fun to try and beat the time from the previous year's race.
3) Post a time sub 4 hours. This was my goal last year and for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon in November 2012 (my 2nd marathon) and I accomplished it then (3:58:49) so I would like to do that again if I can.
4) PR – 3:55. This is a dream, but keeping it as a possibility based on my previous training runs. If I could keep a steady 9:00 min/mile pace, I would post a 3:55:48, which would be a 3 minute PR. I would take that for sure!!
