The Camp Lael 5k 2010 was the first race I ran without walking since high school and I just finished the 2011 one, so I thought that this would be a good time to look at the goals I have achieved, and those yet to be accomplished. Here are a few:
1. Finish the Open Door Julie Run (June 2011) in 26 minutes or less.
Result: 26:01.8 (Darn close) - I chose this race as the start of the year as a "tent pole" race that would show where I was at. I figured that I could do 26 minutes by this race. I beat 26 minutes on my watch, but was a couple seconds off on the race clock. Even though I beat my previous adult record by over a minute, I thought my performance was just OK.
2. Win the Camp Lael 5k.
Result: Won the Camp Lael 5k. - To be honest, I could have skipped backwards and won this race this year. I did run it hard and finished in 26:06, which isn't bad for this rather brutal course. I would have been more satisfied if I could have had a rematch with Super Mom and the 9 year old that beat me the year before. :)
3. Place in my age group at an event.
Result: Placed 3rd at the Sylvan Shuffle and 1st at the OPC 5k in my age group.
Running in the 27 minute range at the time, I didn't really expect to win anything at either of these races. I have found that sometimes, a particular age group just doesn't attend certain events and that it seems rather random. I'm sure that at some point I will have a great race that deserves an award and will end up far out of the picture. I race against myself more than other people, but it does matter to me where I finish. If you don't care at all where you finish, why race? I would like to eventually get to a point where I am competing to win my age group at almost every race.
4. Finish the Brooksie Way 5k in 24 minutes or less.
Result: Incomplete. I have opted to run the half marathon instead of the Brooksie Way. I hope to run another 5k later in October after the Brooksie Way on the 2nd. I think I can run a 24 minute 5k now, but until I actually do it, it is just talk. I have broken my half marathon training way to much to try to fit in another race before October, but there will be plenty of races to do in the cool October or November air. I have amended this goal to "Finish a 5k race in 24 minutes or less in 2011.
I haven't set goals for 2012 yet (but welcome suggestions). I would like to run a sub 21 minute 5k in 2012 and think that it is possible with continued work. (I really want to say 20 minutes... we'll see where I'm at come January) That would put me near my high school times which ranged from about 19:30 to 22:30, averaging around 21 minutes or so. (The truth is that in some ways I am a better distance runner now than I was in high school, but my legs are not nearly as strong.) I would like to place at the Julie Run 5k next year too.
No decisions have been made about long distance runs. I'm thinking about another half marathon or two during the year, but don't have any time to complete them in mind. I would like to do a marathon at some point, but I would like to progress a bit before I consider it.
I'm not into setting mileage goals, because I think that many runners at my level tend to run too much. While I would love to say "I'll run 1000 miles next year", I don't want to make that a goal. I just want to run enough to meet my other goals and if I run 600 or 800 or 1000 miles to do it, so be it.
Goals are nice, but the best thing is that I am enjoying running and plan to keep going for the foreseeable future. I am in better shape than I've been in years as well. Running is not for everyone, but it is good for me.
Great job on sticking with this and meeting many of your goals. I think the most important thing you said is that you are having fun.
ReplyDeleteI recommend that you throw in a couple of trail races. I suggest the Road Ends Half Marathon in April on the Poto. If you are not up to the half they have shorter races that weekend too. It's just that you have a lot of opportunity for trail running in the OC. I would take full advantage of it.
I do disagree with you on one thing and that is your mileage goal. You miles are your base and that's what you draw from on race day. As you race longer distances your base becomes more important. There is nothing wrong with not setting a mileage goal, but don't underestimate the importance of your foundation.
Also, I think you should get good and warmed up soon and see how fast you can rip of a single mile. It just seems like a good number to know for future training especially if you want to improve your 5K times.
Your last year has been impressive Josh, good job!
Thank you sir.
ReplyDeleteA trail race sounds great and I'll keep that in mind.
I think we are pretty close actually on the mileage thing. I do think the mileage base is important, but I see a lot of people in forums and such who put way too much stock in the number.
Today, I wish I would have had more 10+ mile runs under my belt - it really would have helped. Now that I have learned a little bit, I generally have a purpose when I run. One run will be for distance, another more intense, another to recover, etc. I don't have the luxury of not making my runs count when I usually only get 3 in a week (I want to do 4 but it hasn't worked out in my schedule). So, I guess I meant that I'm not going to do extra miles just to work towards a number. I think they will increase gradually as I become more proficient.
I like the mile time idea too. I did it once this year, but I was still sore from a previous run, it was hot and I just wasn't "ready" for it.
Thank you for the encouragement! Just your blog and e-mails have helped me more than you know.
Thanks Josh. It makes me feel really good to know that I have helped inspire at least one person a little bit. Little do you know people like you inspire me immensely. Any time I see some get off the couch and make it happen, I'm happy. Little does our society know that this stuff is not that difficult. We (as a people) were born to run and we all (almost) have it within us. Just get of the couch and move I said!! Thanks.
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