2008 goals

Flounder · Nov 28, 2007

I am struggling between a focus on speed and shorter races or going long 
What are your 2008 goals?? 
My #1 goal is to get closer to a good running weight(170-180#) - 180# by 4/21 - I was 236# on 11/19. 56# in 154 days is pretty agrressive, so that is the only one I will focus on until it is met. 
Then I must pick a path to follow - Train for 5k to 10ks or train for 50-100 milers. I am leaning toward going long.

Nettie · Nov 28, 2007

Complete four-five marathons 
Get down to 120 lbs. 
Run a 4:45 marathon 
Race shorter distances at 8:30-8:59 min. average pace

PacerChris · Nov 28, 2007

Ah, the ever-present struggle between speed and distance. I know it well. 
Since I think I've still got some faster marathon times in me, I'm not going heavy into ultras just yet though I do plan to dip my toe in from time to time (50ks and some easy 50 mile runs). The real question is what to do with shorter distances - I'm hoping I can improve there (as I've done the past few years) within the framework of a good marathon training program. 
One goal I already have in mind for 2008 is to race a half marathon well - I didn't run any at all and my PR will be 2 years old in April...at the time it was a breakthrough but I think it's a little soft now. Depending on whether or not I do Boston, I have a few HM's in mind that could be good tune-ups for a spring marathon. 
I'd also like to do a duathlon or two in the summer - I had done 1 each of the prior 3 summers and enjoyed it but never got around to it this past summer. Maybe even a tri, who knows? 
The normal goals every year are to stay healthy and set at least 1 PR, and have a rough idea on what I want my annual mileage to be.

Grizzly · Nov 28, 2007

Build up a base with decent speed before going for another marathon training plan. 
Looking to do a couple of Halfs and perhaps another marathon, fall (?) in quest of a BQ. 
Mileage? Probably close to 2000.

Arrojo · Nov 28, 2007

Stay healthy and happy.

Frankie71 · Nov 28, 2007

Get healed 100% 
Build my core strength 
Get down to between 175-180 lbs 
Return to running sometime next summer.

Jill · Nov 28, 2007

Run a half marathon, possibly 2. 
Start marathon training the second half of 2008.

wanderingoutlaw · Nov 28, 2007

2000 miles total for the year 
Increase my MAF pace to better than 10:00/mile 
Run a sub-25:00 5k 
Run a sub-50:00 10k 
Run a sub-2:00:00 HM 
Run a sub-4:00:00 Marathon 
Work on core strengthening 
Work on resolving my (suspected) piriformis problem

Notey · Nov 28, 2007

Break 3 hours in the marathon. 
In order to do this I need to break out of my funk and be more proactive about training. I'd like to do it at Boston, but training over the winter and the difficulty of the course may not make this possible. If not Boston maybe New York or Philly in the fall.

ScratchType1 · Nov 28, 2007

1 -- stay injury free, can't run if I'm injured 
2 -- build more endurance, bring my times from 5K to 1/2 marathon more in line with McMillan's calculator and Daniels' tables 
3 -- 5 races that I want to do, Caesar Rodney 1/2 Marathon, Broad Street Run, Philly Distance Run, 1/2 Marathon at Philadelphia Marathon, and Brian's Run 10K 
4 -- Break 25:00 in 5K 
5 -- Break 2 hours in half-marathon

phillytom · Nov 28, 2007

I'm still working on these. If I want to make a real run at <16 5k, I think I need to respect it for the challenge it is and devote at least a season to it. I know 2 very talented local guys who tried this within the last 2 years and got within seconds, but did not make it. Then again, a bunch of younger guys in my club can do it (and 2 of them can go <15) and have offered to do pace work with me. 
If not, maybe a spring and fall marathon. 
So, unordered for now: 
- <16 5k 
- 55 10m / 1:13 HM - probably attempted at Broad St and the PDR 
- Race a marathon? 
- Stay healthy 
- Don't really care that much about mileage, but probably 2k+, maybe 2500 if I run a marathon? 
- Maybe lose a little weight if I can feel healthy doing it Pacer - I'm anxious to see where you can go with a half in 08. Jill - You too!

Litchfield Hills · Nov 28, 2007

Hmmm... 
#1 - stay healthy, keep my back from flaring up. 
#2 - get down to 170-175 pounds 
If #1 and #2 do not happen, nothing else does. 
#3 - Sub 2 HM (super secret goal of 1:50) 
#4 - Sub 24 5K.

Ileneforward · Nov 28, 2007

Goals: 
get rid of this nagging hip pain 
run 2 or 3 marathons 
run every race distance from 800 meters to 26.2 miles (5k, 10k, 5 mile, 10 mile, 1/2 marathon)

Arrojo · Nov 28, 2007

swoon

Ileneforward · Nov 28, 2007

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> Hey Arrojo, I went to a few all-comers track meets, and I always take my division (only old lady in the race!). 
I'm coming to Boston next April.

Arrojo · Nov 28, 2007

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> I will make the candlelight dinner reservations.

KP · Nov 29, 2007

in no particular order: 
< 24:30 for 5k 
< 53:00 for 10k 
run at least one HM (< 1:55:00 or lower) 
run my first marathon 
along with that last one - train effectively to run that marathon

Flounder · Nov 29, 2007

Ileneforward - I have always had a secret interest in an open track meet, there are 2-3 close enough to me to try it. 
I used to have foot speed, now I have none, so I would have to stick to 1600 or 3200.

keriksen · Nov 29, 2007

Stay healthy! 
Come up with a good training plan for the spring, be it concentrating on local races or a May HM 
<1:35 HM (maybe <1:30?) 
<20:00 5K 
<43:00 10K 
1500-2000 miles?

Ileneforward · Nov 29, 2007

Flounder, you should do it! it is so much fun! Even I have fun and I have never had speed. 
Luckily I have no shame (or can brazen it out) because the first time I ran the 1600m and everyone else was done and just watching me come around the last turn.....so they could start the next race.......well at least my face was already red! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
The only event I wouldn't enter was the 100 meters. Those guys were serious! 
The rest of the events, there were all kinds of folks and the whole gamut of abilities. You should do it.

2008 goals

Top Contributors this Month