What are your running goals for 2017?

[Tomas]

As the hangover slowly disappears it's customary to make a set of New Years resolutions that usually last as long as a box of chocolates on Christmas Day. We runners of course have the advantage that we treat our bodies like temples and thus don't suffer from self induced organic solvent related pains (cough cough), so what's on YOUR list for this most glorious year?

[C3PO Marathon]

My goal is to significantly improve my HM time and run my first marathon next Christmas. It's a very laid back event, and will be a good test for my first proper marathon in 2018.

[Tomas Marathon in reply to C3PO]

Good targets. I think even a laid back Marathon is a significant undertaking so have fun!

[PippiRuns in reply to C3PO]

Can't wrap my head around a laid back marathon... it just does not appear before my inner eye...

[C3PO Marathon in reply to PippiRuns]

There's a 27 December marathon here from one sports shop just west of Oslo to another one in the same chain just just east of Oslo. 200 runners max, and one of the shop managers runs with the people at the back of the pack. No signposting, you need to memorize the route in advance. You can take your time - some people spend up to 7 hours on this event. You make toilet stops and buy snacks at gas stations along the way. Plus they run right by my house. My son and I got out and cheered the main pack of runners this year, and they were really surprised.

I'm probably going to run in London in 2018, so I thought that this would be a nice way of trying out the distance.

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to C3PO]

That sounds fun!

[PippiRuns in reply to C3PO]

Okay - it does sound relaxed if not relaxing Great event and I agree - good start to marathoning

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

I'm glad you posted this I've been struggling with my 2017 goals, so I had a good old think yesterday. I have the Brighton Marathon already to aim for so that's a good start. I was considering another marathon in September, and found a nice looking one in the New Forest. But I just wasn't feeling it. I have some other sporty goals for 2017, want to finally windsurf on the actual sea (got close last year!), and improve my (currently woeful) upper body strength (10 chinups - can just about do 1 at the moment). Marathon training on top of all that seems a bit much really.

So then I thought maybe no running goals, just go out for fun. Didn't like that either! Hmmm. Looked online for a bit of inspiration, and came up with the idea of working on shorter distances. My 5k pb hasn't changed since May last year, so it's about time I beat it! So Ima do faster 5k and 10k runs, and try some 10k races (I've never done one). I like benwill 's idea of more bling than last year, so I'll go for four+ 5 or 10k races to add to my Brighton bling And more parkrun too, I'll aim to get up to 40 in total this year (I've only done ten!).

I ran a total of 1270 km last year; here's to substantially fewer kilometres in 2017! 😎

[Tomas Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I like your thinking with the shorter and faster runs. And it know that for me one marathon is enough. More bling than last year sounds like a great one - after a few years it could become quite addictive.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to roseabi]

Oh, and: Get a stretching habit

[Tomas Marathon in reply to roseabi]

That one is a sore spot for me. I KNOW I should stretch more and do some strength training. And I keep promising myself to do it and regularly start the habit. It normally lasts less than a week

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Tomas]

It's too easy thing to forget about, or not have time for, isn't it!? I had actually already started on this six weeks or so back, and had begun to slip as you describe. However, I can sort of recommend stretching in the shower (careful not to fall though!), this seems to be helping me stretch once or twice a day regularly. Although I am lucky to have unlimited hot water here

[misswobble Marathon]

I wouldn't mind a stab at a full marathon. There, I said it! ☺

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to misswobble]

I saw that

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Yup, me too!

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

What?? You fancy a marathon Sarah?!? 😱

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

i think she does!

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

Noooooo! I heard MW!

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Are you sure......?

[Tomas Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Like AM I interpret your words to mean "yup, I fancy a marathon too" rather than "yup, I saw it too"

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Don't even think about it....

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to misswobble]

me too but don't tell paul!!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Yay! Sounds great.

[Tomas Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

P.S. Paul says you're a star.

[Tomas Marathon in reply to misswobble]

You can totally do it miss W

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Woo hoo

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

I've signed up for a 10K in March with Madge50 and AncientMum - another one for team C25K!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

thats great Curly!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

Excellent. I hope it turns out to be all the fun and joy the previous one should have been.

[Millsie-J in reply to Curlygurly2]

Im doing my first 10k in march too! 60th birthday present to myself 😮

[Tomas Marathon in reply to Millsie-J]

Yay, that's great Jacs!

[misswobble Marathon]

I let Murphybabe talk me into a 10k race in Thoresby park, I think this April. I think it might be a trail run. Not even sure 🙃 😀

[AncientMum Half Marathon]

I definitely won't be joining any of you in a marathon this year. However, I have signed up for the 10k with Curlygurly2 and Madge50 in Cambridge in March and of course there's also the Wings For Life race with Madge in May. Apart from that I don't know. I need a goal for later in the year methinks but don't know what yet. *AM puts thinking cap on*

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

There's a 10k at Thetford forest on 9th July....(a Hoohaah event) and a 10 miler or HM at Wimpole Hall in October.......(another Hoohaah event).........😉

Hoohaah.co.uk

Mx

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

The Thetford Forest run sounds nice but not sure July is the best month for me to run. The Race for Life 5k in June nearly killed me because it was so hot. I'd love to do either the Leeds or York 10k (July I think) but don't think I'd cope with the heat very well. Still, never say never!!

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

I thought that, but it was WFL that really gave me the confidence, it was really hot, running on roads with little or no shade, but I just kept drinking/snacking, plus I've found a visor/baseball cap really works for me, both in the rain and heat, must be something about being a specs wearer.......I hate the heat/rain directly on my face, especially around my eyes.

I'm hoping Thetford will be all through the trees, which will be lovely.....

Mx

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Duhhh .... Forest = Trees = shade = cooler!

*face palm* Suddenly that 10k doesn't look so daunting

[Tomas Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

I'm signed up to the York 10k (6th August), just in case you fancy saying hi

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Oh now I'm tempted!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

It's a beautiful route rom the race courses through town, around the Minster and along the river to the race course again. Go on, you know you want to

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Tomas]

You're right, I do want to, I *really* want to, I just don't want to run in full sun in August. I'll give it some thought

[Tomas Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

Yay, sounds like great races to look forward to.

[Madge50 Marathon]

I'm already on the training trail for my first HM in March, then some 10k's, Wings For Life (being chased by a car in May) then perhaps a second HM in October - will have the option of slinking out at 10 miles.....😄.....if it seems too much.....

Phew, think that's enough to be going on with!

Good luck everyone! Happy running 2017!

Mx

[Tomas Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Sounds like a full calendar Madge. Great stuff.

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Blimey Madge, that's a lot of bling you're going to accumulate this year.

[Madge50 Marathon in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks AM, hopefully!, I'm a bit concerned that it looks a lot when you write it down 😂, I'm better in 'dory' mode......'oh look a race!'.....less to think about....😄

Mx

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to Madge50]

Hahaha 'Dory mode' I'll remember that! 😂😂😂

[PippiRuns]

I'm registered for a HM in June. Think I might do one in March too, and definitely the one in my hometown in September. That leaves room for one in the fourth quarter...

[Tomas Marathon in reply to PippiRuns]

Four HMs. That's a gr at target.

[AncientMum Half Marathon in reply to PippiRuns]

Ain't no stopping you now!

[Tomas Marathon]

I've got several goals for 2017

1) no zero-run months (I had two in 2016 and it messed everything up)

2) run 2017 km (in 2016 I managed less than 900 km, so this is a stretch)

3) sub 5 hr marathon, sub 2 hr HM, sub 55 min 10 km (all current PBs are from 2015)

[PippiRuns in reply to Tomas]

2017 km, that is ambitious! 5.7 km/day, 11.4 km/day if you only run every other day. No time for zero-run months, that's for sure!

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to Tomas]

wow Tomas thats some good ones!

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to Tomas]

My aim was to run 2016k for last year and I did it!!! I'd say that one is very doable. Trail running mag have a 1000 mile chart that looks great too as a tracker.....

[agedsnailspace Marathon]

I'm training for my first marathon in April (and have another booked for Nov). Once the first marathon is done, I would really like to get back to my parkrun pb times - I am significantly slower just now (by a good 2-3 mins!). In part, I think, because I have been focussing on longer distances, but also because I have overindulged... Need to eat with my running in mind (so giving up bread for January). Other than that, I would like to keep my running streak going for longer than last year and an thinking of signing up for the route 66 challenge...

[Tomas Marathon in reply to agedsnailspace]

Two marathons, that sounds great and ambitious. What is the Route 66 challenge?

[agedsnailspace Marathon]

theconqueror.events/route66/

It's a virtual challenge to cover the distance of route 66 is America (Route 66 = 2280 miles). I ran just under 1200 miles this year, but did quite a few more miles cycling (and even a few swimming!). Think I would need to count the cycling as well to get the distance in 2017 as I don't think I could double the milage I was doing this year Up for trying, though!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to agedsnailspace]

2280 miles, a worthy target, even including cycling. It would be cool though, I hope you do give it a go.

[AndyD Ultramarathon]

In a moment of madness I signed up for a 12hour event! Basically, a 6k loop and you keep doing as many loops as you want/can in the 12hours. I plan to do each loop and then have a break to re-fuel and rest before setting off for another loop. Bling is available after only one loop, so that's good!!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to AndyD]

12 hours? Wow, that sounds ambitious, and even if it's ok to drop out after the first looop, I'm sure the temptation wil be to keep going and going and going for as long as possible.

I look forward to hear more about that one. Impressive!

[ju-ju- Marathon]

If you don't mind I will pin this post as it will be good to look back as the year progresses....

Mine are: get to sub 26 5k, sub 55 10k, sub 2 hour HM, run every day and an average of 4 miles a day.

[Tomas Marathon in reply to ju-ju-]

We should speed train side by side, seems we've got very similar ambitions. Except you'll probably be hard core up and down uneven trails and hills whereas I'll be gently cruising on flat and smoothly paved roads.

Running every day sounds like a tough one that requires a lot of self discipline. But you have shown that you're a true panther when it comes to that, so you can do it!

And yes, by all means pin it. It's always great to look back and put little (virtual) tick marks next to achievements.

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon]

I want a sub 50 minute 10k, I've come within 25 seconds of this twice now, so this has to be done!! I'm also signed up for my first marathon 😱. I'll just be happy to finish that in whatever time it takes!

[Tomas Marathon in reply to Hillrunner2201]

That's an impressive time. Looking forward to hear you've smashed the 50.

[Hillrunner2201 Marathon in reply to Tomas]

Thank you! My next 10k race is in March. It is a hilly one though😱

[Gnet]

Last year after graduating from C25k at Christmas I built up to 10k then it all went a bit wrong....A couple of injuries and getting out if the habit. I have just got back to 5ks..

So this year i had a mad moment and signed up for a half marathon to give me something to aim for. It is in July and is nice and flat but coastal so praying for no headwind or sun, I hate being hot... eek. On the bright side it is where I grew up so I will be running through childhood memories and I am looking forward to that.

Wish me luck

[Tomas Marathon in reply to Gnet]

That sounds like a lovely target Gnet . Seaside, childhood memories, motivation for getting out on many runs. What's not to like?

[Bazza1234 Marathon]

My main and overriding goal for 2017 is to keep on running. I know that this doesn't sound like much but as far as I can see the biggest threat is our propensity to "fall off the wagon". It can relate to our conquering of bad habits (eg excessive drinking) or our tendency to cease good habits. I think I have now developed the habit of "weekly running" - 4 times per week, after 3 years . I have been sorely tested of late - this summer has been absolute stinker and I consider myself fortunate to be an early bird riser because if I wasn't it would have been almost impossible for me to continue on over the past couple of months.

Races?? Am training now for a HM in April - but my heart isn't really in it. Haven't even signed up for the race yet It has taken me 3 years to achieve my first major goal - and that is to run 5K. After 89 parkruns , I think I can now say that "I can run 5 kilometres". I have also run 10k many times-- but I want to get myself to the point where I can say "I can run 10 kilometres". This is not so easy because there is much less opportunity to practice running 10K - wish there was a 10K parkrun!!

[Tomas Marathon]

I totally agree with you about the risk of "falling off the wagon" and that it's the biggest single risk that threatens our ability to enjoy this hobby. Really good observation Bala. And I hope you manage to keep running and get to that HM (if you still fancy it closer to the date).