I did not reach my big goal for 2017 but instead I …
For the entirety of the year, I was focussed on one goal – Marine Corps Marathon on October 22nd. I wanted to very badly break 5:30 for the marathon and thought that this was going to be my year. While I learnt some very valuable lessons, I woefully fell short of my time goal. After the customary 3 weeks recovery time, I felt even more lost as to what to do next. It’s not like I could turn around and do another marathon within weeks as a second attempt. In spite of my talk about getting over the failure, I felt incomplete. I wanted to do … to do SOMETHING that might soften the sting a bit. In his podcast The Most Pleasant Exhaustion, ITL Coach George Darden talks about it (look for his Chicago Marathon race recap episode); instead of saying “I did not reach my goal for 2017″, you can add on “I did not reach my goal for 2017 but instead I … “.
The wish to get back into the deep of things was there, but the spark was missing. There was no dearth of things that I could aim to do, but nothing was speaking to me. Coach G advised me to just wait for it to strike me, even though I was skeptical of some unknown goal waking me up.”You’ll know what you want to do”, he said. As I was randomly looking through Strava, I found my goal – On November 30th, I was at 912 miles for the year. I would aim to run 1001 miles by the end of year, with a not-so-secret goal to get to the mileage by Christmas Eve, my running anniversary day, if possible.
And that’s how I ended my running year of 2017.
I may not have reached by time goal of sub 5:30 for my one big race (Marine Corps Marathon) this year, but instead I –
Ran a 1001 Miles this year
Why 1001 and not 1000? Because Mr. FauxRunner had run 1000 in 2015 and of course I had to one up on him 😉
I have crossed 1000 miles in some other years (2011, 2012, 2015) but this 1001 was more about getting out of my pity party after Marine Corps and getting back into chasing a goal. Looking back at those days when I’d hardly have energy or the mind to move, I’m glad this inspired me to keep moving.
Lost my First EVER Toenail
Lost my First Ever Toenail
Laughable, but noteworthy. In all my 7 years of running, I had never got a black toenail or lost one. One whole month after MCM, I finally lost a toenail.
(I’ll spare photos of this one)
Had a Great Mentor
When I started MCM training, I talked to Coach G about training. Through the 4 months of training, I not only learnt to push harder than I had before, but also learnt to believe, learnt to not be afraid of success. I attribute a lot of that growth to being mentored by not just ‘you can do it’ but with science and examples, things that speak to me; “Calculated risk” is one that stands out in my mind.
When I talked about the 1001, he enthusiastically supported me. Having known coaches who have scoffed at a “sudden” goal or race, I must admit that his support took me by pleasant surprise. I hope that when I make my next attempt, I will be able to call on Coach G and learn from him.
PRed the Half Marathon distance
so there’s that!
So, not a bad finish to the year, … even though I missed my main goal of sub 5:30 at Marine Corps Marathon. And now, to start prepping to chase the goal all over again!
How was your year of meeting goals?
