Just in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m kind of a goal-oriented person (can I be nominated for Understatement of the Year yet?). I NEED something out there to work towards. Because otherwise? Yea, I don’t actually work at all.
My recent success at the half marathon distance has gotten me thinking about some pretty lofty (for me) goals. I want to be fitter, stronger, faster and more competitive at 40 (okay, okay… 41 for the racing season) than I was at 30.
(Of course, 10 years ago I was 40 pounds heavier and spent more time on my couch than on my treadmill… so, perhaps my goals aren’t quite so lofty?)
Okay – let me modify slightly: I want to be more competitive than I was a few years ago, when I was training regularly and in pretty good shape for a 30-something. I want to prove that 40+ isn’t over the hill. At least not for this chick.
Here’s what I’m after:
Another half marathon PR. I’ll be following Hal’s advanced half marathon plan again, hoping that’ll spring me for a sub-1:50 half mary. Actually, I’m going to shoot for an 8:15m/m pace half marathon (which is 1:48ish), but I’ll settle for anything less than 1:50.
And why is 1:50 such a magic number? Because that’ll get me into a starting corral for…
The Chicago Marathon!!
Yep – that’s my big A+++ race this year. I’ve tried the marathon 3 times now. And haven’t yet really pulled it off to my satisfaction — there’s always been something that’s happened: injury, intestinal issues, heat wave that got the event CANCELLED when I was at mile 22… you know, the usual.
So… fourth time’s the charm, right?
I’ll be likely jumping on the Hal train for the marathon as well, seeing as how he hasn’t steered me wrong yet (though if it’s a train, is there really much steering involved? Hmmm). It’ll be a vigorous, high-mileage plan and I’ve got to admit, Hal’s got me a little scared right now.
Luckily, I don’t have to think about that quite yet. After all, I’ve got a half marathon PR to go get first, right?