I then wanted to run SFM as a practice run/time trail for an undetermined fall race.
I wanted to get a sub-4 at that fall race.
Well, I ended up switching from the Big Sur 21-miler to the full marathon just days before the event. And then I sort of accidentally got a sub-4 there. So my goals for the rest of the year had a very pleasant wrench thrown into them, my confidence levels in my running had a tremendous boost, I completely redesigned and had an awesome training cycle post-Big Sur, and I needed to reassess my goals.
I've reassessed. And reassessed. I signed up for my fall race while training for SFM. I wondered if Big Sur was a total fluke. And then I thought about goals some more.
With that...
My goals for the San Francisco Marathon!- "A" goal: Thanks to a vagabond friend who knows nothing about marathoning other than what I've told him, he set my goal time as 3:47. Yes, technically this is someone else's goal for me and not my own, but I really believe I can hit it as long as I hold myself together on the hills. His suggestion has given me something awesome to shoot for this training cycle, and it's been at the back of my mind this whole time. I'm not lying when I say that. I've thought "3:47" at some point during EVERY training run as I glance at my overall pace on my Garmin. I've trained for that pace on all of the hills. I feel ready for it.
- "B" goal: sub-3:55:16, my current marathon PR
- "C" goal: sub-4
- "D" goal: Run until I crash and burn, but know I left it all out there
- "E" goal: Finish and take pride in a sweet new medal
- "F" goal: Die (okay, not really a goal)
Conservative? Some may argue. Realistic? I think so. A push? Definitely. We're still talking a 7-minute PR (from May) on an extremely technical course.
Okay, and then what?!
After SFM, I'm going to focus on the Hood to Coast relay as a part of the Nuun blogger team, and then just three weeks after Hood to Coast I'm running my fall marathon, the NorCal Marathon in San Jose. I'm going to take my SFM results, experience, fueling, everything into consideration when figuring out my NorCal marathon goals. I have some lofty goals in mind for right now (from running so hard to the point of bonking just to see what happens, to shooting for a specific time), but I really do want to use SFM as a gauge for NorCal. So in August I'll start reassessing alllll over again.
Just 12 more days of lighter and easier miles, and then it's go time for SFM! I am SO excited to see what will happen -- for me, and for all my friends who are also running! :)
Knowing how you're running now from reading your blog and knowing my personal experience and factoring in the hills of SF, I'd say that 3:47 is absolutely realistic. Go get it, A!
ReplyDeleteWhatever happens at SFM, you'll have given it your all and that's what matters. And, I think you'll hit 3:47 :-) You've been training like a maniac and you're beyond solid. I can't wait to celebrate with you!!!
ReplyDeleteAaaahhh I am SO EXCITED for you! I have a feeling you will completely crush your A goal!
ReplyDeleteA-GOAL, baby, all the way!
ReplyDeleteI think 7 minutes is completely within your reach. Reach out for it!
ReplyDeleteI think that's a great goal. You know my marathon Pr is 3:48 so if you get that 3:47... Go for it!
ReplyDeleteA-Goal Alyssa...You can do it! :-)
ReplyDeleteBeen following your training, I totally think you can meet your A goal.
ReplyDeleteI am very excited for you! You have been pretty solid with your training and I so admire you for that! I hope that I at some point can be just as confident in my long distance running as you are. And that my dear friend is my goal! Good luck! I can't wait to hear about it.
ReplyDeleteI can confidently say that you will demolish that A goal...I have faith in you lil' miss speedster
ReplyDeleteYou have been running so great that I think your A goal is well within reach. You will do awesome!
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, you should know better than to trust the advice of shiftless vagabonds. On the other, according to the Vegas odds you're a lock to kick 3:47's ass.
ReplyDeleteYou have had one of the best training cycles that I have followed and I am so excited for your race day! I have a feeling you will own san francisco on 7/31.
ReplyDeleteI'm new to your blog - love reading about your goals for SFM!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck and have fun on the HTC relay! My friend Megan is on a team there too!
I think you've got the A goal! Sometimes I start the race with the E goal: just get to the finish line.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt you will hit your A goal. You have nailed all your training runs and you crushed Big Sur and still had energy to burn.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!!
I can't wait to see how you do at the SF Marathon! You've been running amazing and had a killer time on a tough, tough course at Big Sur. I think big things are in store for you...is there tracking??
ReplyDeleteYou're going to do great and this weekend is going to be amazing! We have so many fun things coming up and I cannot wait for all of us to run this race and share our stories!
ReplyDeleteI have *no doubt* that A goal is coming down in a furious, firey, flaming fandango.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to tell you you're definitely going to hit your A goal because that's not the point (although I do think you will)! You're going to do absolutely amazing and it's so cool to read this and look at your blog and see how far you've come, it really inspires me that's for sure. Can't wait to see you rock SFM.
ReplyDelete