It’s hard to believe it’s been over a week since Goofy Challenge. I’ve actually been having a hard time with it; I had been planning and training for it since last July..and now it’s over. Sure, there will be one next year and there are other plenty of other races on my race calendar..but it’s just not the same to me. There was so much excitement and planning around this race..I miss that.
I had posted a challenge on Twitter and Facebook a few weeks ago that if I hit 100 likes on Facebook, I’d add a marathon onto my 2013 race calendar. You all were amazing and supportive, and I reached that goal very quickly. I was able to convince a group of friends to run with me (it’s amazing how much more fun you have running with friends!), and will be running the Twin Cities Marathon in October (and registering in February once registration opens).
But I needed a new goal to challenge myself, so naturally I looked at the biggest marathon challenge out there: The Boston Marathon.
With the Goofy Challenge, I didn’t know what to expect. My goal of the race was just to finish. My training was ok, but there were definite areas of improvement. After seeing the results of Goofy, I started thinking the what-ifs: What if I had trained harder? What if I hadn’t taken it so easy? What if it wasn’t so hot out?…could I have qualified for Boston?
I’m not regretting my performance at the marathon; I had a blast with friends, we were smart to take it easy with the heat advisory and I accomplished my goal of finishing. But now I really want to push it with my training and see what I can do. I want to qualify for Boston and run a marathon faster than 3:35.
With the Twin Cities Marathon being in October, I wouldn’t be able to qualify for Boston 2014. I decided to register for Grandma’s Marathon in June as my BQ race. This training is going to be quite different than my previous training – I’m going to be working with a coach on a customized training program. This goal’s going to be completely different than any of my previous goals, but I’m excited to start!
for me theres nothing like a DIFFERENT GOAL to spark my energy.
xo
Miz recently posted…“I’m TERRIFIED of gluten.”
It’s so good to see that you have a plan and new goals to reach. I felt the same way recently when my first figure competition was over. I spent so much time planning and dreaming of doing it and when it was over I thought “what next?” It’s an odd feeling.
Dawn recently posted…Ready for Summer
Good luck with your goal of the elusive BQ. I also ran Goofy Challenge and it was my first marathon too. Funny that I have the same question in my head about possibly qualifying for Boston. My Mickey Marathon time is 29 minutes off BQ. What to do? Good luck with your goal!
Pam recently posted…Running Skirts Review and Comparison
I love that rather than feel lost after your achieved your goal, you created another one with a clearly defined path to getting there! I am excited to see how you feel training with a coach impacts your plan. I started with a coach years ago and then relocated and never found someone I clicked with as well. I know my running benefitted from my coach and I hope to replace her some day
Good luck on the BQ goal and Grandma’s Training
Jen recently posted…13 in 2013 Virtual Race Series
Training for the BQ and the Boston itself sounds exciting! Good luck and I know you will do great
Andrea recently posted…The Burpee Mile
Wow, what an amazing goal! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the marathon training & experience and want to do another…I always feel bad when people run and marathon and are like “never again.” Good luck!
Danielle recently posted…26 Things I Learned During Marathon Training
That is SUCH a cool challenge! You are a beast, girl! Get after boston- I’ll be cheering for you and hopefully someday running it with you!
Sarah recently posted…Back Deck: A Boston Brunchers Meetup
Good luck with your BQ training! It’s such a huge goal, but I think your approach of using a coach and a customized training plan is really smart. Generic training plans are great for when you just want to finish something, but I think you’ll really benefit from having a training plan suited just to you and the feedback of a coach. Good luck!
Maureen recently posted…I <3 Long Weekends
That’s exciting! I know that feeling, I’m sorting out the “what’s next” question right now, too… excited to see you go for the BQ!!
Laura recently posted…Paleo for Athletes Review and Giveaway