While I was out for my run today I thought I would write a little topic about goals. Over on the Strength and flex forum there are a few of us setting out goals for our cross training needs ready to start next week.
It got me thinking while I was running today, goals are actually quite difficult to work with if they are done properly. They need to be a little out of reach but ultimately achievable. They also need to be flexible in case life throws you a curve ball. This is where running/exercise goals have to be different so you can protect yourself.
This week I have seen some great attitudes to flexibility and understanding of goals over on the Quest post.
As runners we need to be able to change our training goals to suit each day really and be comfortable and happy with that decision without it interfering with our main goal.
Sometimes we can do more harm going out for a run when everything inside is screaming at us please don’t. That is the time we can be at our most vulnerable when it comes to running, if our bodies are using everything in its arsenal to fight something off or maybe it is desperately in need of a rest day, even though it is not on the schedule. These are the days it is best to adapt, go for a walk, have a hot bath, rest do anything but push your body as the body doesn’t have many ways of asking but when it does it is because it needs too.
It is not the same thing as losing motivation,
My goal was to run a sub 3hour HM in May, I very much doubt that is going to happen this year, my thyroid meds have been over and now they are under and just been adjusted, my energy has been in the gutter, last year I got new orthotics and they are great but they haven’t cured my Morton neuromas when I hit 9km+ on a run, so yesterday I had to get new shoes, so they need to be worn in. If I just carried on with my goal for this year without adapting my training plan I will get injured, there are too many things that I have to make allowances for, so this year I will be going to just get over the finish line, then I will start again for a sub three hour for next year. Am I little sad it’s not this year, yes, but I know it will be all the sweeter when I get there.
So as the weather and season changes, hay fever, cold and heat will be coming your way, listen to what your body is telling you adjust if need be but be safe and injury free.
Happy healthy running to you all
Rfc x
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Lovely thoughtful post Rfc. Adjusting the goal posts is what life is all about isn't it, doesn't mean your not scoring goals though😉😊...your HM time will be just that YourHM time.😊xxx
Thank you, I felt good about my decision today as I ran in the sunshine in my new trainers 🌞. I tell myself it is still a HM no matter what time it takes me 😀.
I read the other day “sometimes the best run is no run” which as a new addict was a bit strange, but it’s slowly starting to make sense to me. I missed my monthly goal for the same reason as you’re not going sub 3... it’s not worth the injury. Both of us will hit those goals, when the time is right... and they remain big celebration worthy moments in life, but so is getting to the start line of an event... all the miles, all the cross training and fun we had along the way. When I get to my marathon start line next year that’s all I’m going to be thinking about, the amazing journey to get there... then I’ll just have to survive 26.2 😂
You are so right, nothing is worth the Injury, I would rather have shorter runs than no runs. I’m going to enjoy supporting you all the way to 26.2, and I will keep a link to this post just in case I have to remind you along the way 😉. I know you will get there safely.
Since hitting the HM mark I've been having a hard time trying to figure out "what next".
And now accepting a
FM is not feasible, I just don't have the time needed to properly train for that.
Between semi- retirement earner, fishing (my second hobby) and digging in my garden (3rd hobby) the time factor is significantly more of a problem for an FM than I realized.
I think after the St Louis HM I'll just dial it all back and keep the Ten Mile events as my "longest runs".
Lately, the "fun" has been less because of feeling the time pressures of spring fishing, gardening and HM prep.
If I turn Running into a chore, I won't keep it up - so it's basically not "settling" for less, it's "enhancing" what I have
It is so important to have that balance, all those things will add so much to your life and make it rich, it would be shame if one of them started to take away from the others. My training for a HM takes as much time as someone training for a full marathon because of my pace so I have to find 2-3 hour slots and it gets hard and it is tiring but I know I won’t give up on them untill I get that sub 3 hour, it seems to of got under my skin 😂😂😂. Enjoy all your pursuits. Rfc x
Thanks for that Rfc. I’ve had to make several changes this month and it can feel very bitter as others race untroubled past me, but I feel much better now I’ve read this x
I know that feeling, I always say I Run I spite of my body, it definitely keeps throwing stuff at me but Inspite of all that I love it so much and it brings so much into my life that it is so worth adjusting, replanning and doing what I can when I can. Enjoy your runs for you xxx
Such a timely post, Rfc, as I cough and sniffle my way through March! It seems to have been one long adjustment (reduction ) of goals. But of course, we all need to do it in lots of contexts; why did I imagine running would be different? 😂 Working with the possible to achieve the next thing will be my new mantra. And I love the picture - Spring!
Hehe I did wonder about putting a post with flowers up with some people (me included) suffering with hayfever 😂. I hope your cough and sniffle go soon. I like your new mantra, it’s perfect 😀.
On this basis I missed last night's run. I still had in my mind a bad run is better than no run and I don't want to start making excuses. But sometimes the best option is to listen to what your body is telling you. Just hope it doesn't happen too often!
I can so identify with a few of those. One of the reasons I knew my thyroid meds had gone out was my pace was slowing down. I am not the fastest but I know what I expect from me. Great article, thank you for sharing and I hope you perk up soon. Rfc x
In a lot of the Nike app audios that I now listen to they advertise the importance of checking in with yourself constantly on a run. "how am I?" I may have wanted to be on top form but actually I'm x, y, z and it's adapting constantly. I try and follow that. Also some days I just really don't want to run so I don't as most of the time I really want to, so I'm assuming it's my body telling me to rest.
Would you be able to run the HM anyway? Or even do one in the Autumn?
No biggie if you cant as you are already doing great!
Also have we seen the photo of the new trainers?? You should know that it's practically illegal to say I have new shoes without showing them to us... x
I must have a look round the Nike app, I keep hearing good things about it, I am still doing my HM, May 19th but my time will probably be around 3:18 rather than sub 3 hour, my Pb was 3:08:06. I think one of the best things we can do is learn to listen to those little signs. I haven’t posted a picture yet, I will do a long run to see if they are going to be good enough and then I will post a picture. 😀.
Yes do look at it, I've enjoyed quite a few of their podcasts now, they are very encouraging! Glad you'll still be doing the HM. Maybe in a way you'll enjoy it more having no pressure to do it fast. Looking forward to the photo
Great post. Since my illness I have had to make many changes to my goals, flexibility is absolutely the key. I usually have three "goals" in mind for each run - what I might possibly do if I really push it, what's most likely to be the time I do it in, and a worst case scenario, this way I'm rarely disappointed in a run. And to be happy with what you actually achieve, a HM is a HM even if you do it a bit slower than you hoped for. Be proud of every run even if it wasn't what you'd planned for.
You are so right, I have two goals but I think having a more structured third goal might suit me more. I have my training time, always a bit slower than an event and a speed waking time, so I know I should come somewhere between the two, but I like the thought Of a more realistic third goal. Even after nearly six years I still can not believe I am a runner 😂😂😂. Take care of you. Rfc xxx
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