If you run without any reason, you are just chasing the wind.
Wesley Korir, 2012 Boston Marathon Winner
Whether you want to lost those last 5 pounds, perform an un-assisted pull-up, run your first 5k, half or full marathon, or eat better.....we all have goals.
What is the purpose of doing something if you don't have a goal, right? Think about it for a minute. If you're reading this blog, you probably like working out. How much time do you spend working out? Do you ever ask yourself what is it you're after?
This time of year, I am usually starting to train for a fall half marathon. Unfortunately, I am not sure if I will be able to run one in the fall. There aren't any nearby (under an hour away) until after the first of the year.
I have already signed up for the ING Miami marathon and am hoping the third time is the charm for an injury free training and race. I start that training cycle in October.
So until that training cycle begins, I will try to improve my speed. Going by my half marathon PR (2:02), I should have a 4:30 marathon, no problem. I have yet to see that time. Not even close.
I had no idea what I was doing during my first marathon. No clue about pacing whatsoever. The hills in San Fran killed me. I don't know if you've been to South Florida, but the only hills we have is bridges. My second marathon was a few months after San Fran. My IT band was shot by mile 14. I should have quit the race. Instead, I was determined to finish. Not good. I paid for that by taking a few months off after. The third mistake I made was while training for ING Miami 2012. I ran my long training runs too close to goal pace. I thought this was a confidence builder. Some people can run MP (marathon pace) without getting injured. I can't. Lesson learned.
My goals right now, are not all fitness related. I am working on being more consistent in my quiet times and am still doing the Nehemiah bible study. I am working on trying more new recipes. I am working on playing with my kids more and working less. This means managing my time better. I am working out less, but managing to keep my fitness. I am working on being thankful for things, even when it's been a long day and I have been struggling with patience.
These little guys had my patience worn real thin at the grocery store today. This is the time when I say to my husband, "Your sons did........". They are "his" sons when they are misbehaving, right? Don't let their cuteness deceive you. I was getting all kinds of glares at the grocery store today. They make some interesting noises.
Thankful these guys have each other. I pray that they will grow up close to each other.
So while I don't necessarily have a crazy fitness related goal right now, it's totally ok. I make the most of my time with HIIT. I still run 3 days per week. Since there's not a race anytime soon, I can focus on my family, household, and finding balance. That's what we're all after in the long run, right? What are your goals? Are they fitness related or more self improvement? Are you chasing the wind?
Wesley Korir, 2012 Boston Marathon winner
