03 August 2009

Adjusting My Goal

In the beginning of the year, I stated that my goal for the marathon was to run sub 4:00. I knew at the time it was an ambitious goal, but I could work hard toward it.

Well, my fitness level is not where I thought it would be at this time, so running sub 4:00 is not very realistic for me at this stage. I am not disappointed though, because the fact that I am even planning a marathon is light years ahead of where I was two years ago.

So I am changing my goal for the Philadelphia Marathon. First of all, just finishing it will be an amazing thing for someone that just got off the couch a little over a year ago. My time goal for the marathon will be to finish 4:30 or better.

That too is a little ambitious compared to the few previous race times that I have, but it is realistic and I think that it can be done.

5 comments:

Kim said...

Just remember to have fun!

Lindsay said...

sounds like a wise approach. depending on how your training goes, perhaps you will find you can re-adjust again later on down the road! i try to not set my time goal until closer to the race since training is a huge factor and you just never know how well it will go :)

Some guy named John said...

Well, depending on whose formula you use, a 28:30 5K (which you ran a few weeks ago) would predict somewhere around a 4:30 marathon. So, yeah: Sounds like a tough but realistic goal to me. Good luck with it!

Anonymous said...

I think first marathons are meant to be savoured. Enjoy every minute of it.

JBP said...

Hey, just thought I'd let you know I did the same thing 2 years ago that you are doing now. Even the "tune-up" races are exactly what I ran before my 1st marathon (Philadelphia Marathon 2007).

Drop by my blog, leave a message.

http://walkthruthedoor.blogspot.com/

Marathons are addictive, once you cross that finish line you can do anything.