2019 Running Goals
I haven’t been posting very often here lately, mainly because I’ve found it more convenient to deliver updates directly to my r̶e̶a̶d̶e̶r̶s parents over the phone. But with my first race of the year coming up this weekend, I’ve decided to post my 2019 running goals online for all to see.
The nice thing about running goals is that they are almost always SMART.
Specific — there’s no fudging a pace or distance goal.
Measurable — Strava for the win!
Achievable — My goals are based off of past race times and predicted V02 Max, which keeps them within the realm of possibility.
Relevant — Well, I do write a blog about running…
Time bound — Every New Years goal is time bound.
This year, I have 3 racing goals:
Goal 1: 4:40 Mile
The mile isn’t a distance I train for, or really enjoy. It feels fine the first lap, but by the 3rd I’m wondering what the hell I was thinking going out so fast. By the last lap I’m questioning why I became a runner. The post-race coughing and iron-taste isn’t much fun either.
That said, the mile is a quick benchmark of my fitness that doesn’t require tapering and doesn’t leave me with much soreness. It’s also fun to compare mile times.
Goal 2: 1:15:30 Half Marathon (5:45 pace)
I love half marathons. On a good day, the first few miles of the race feel brisk but comfortable. I pay attention to my body and make sure I stay just above lactate threshold pace. The middle miles are prime for distracting myself with scenery, passing people, or music. Unlike in the 10k, I’m able to control my thoughts during these middle miles and focus on things other than the pain. The last miles are, well, painful. But the pain doesn’t last long, and I’m usually not at risk of muscle cramps.
My previous PR of 1:16:30 was set at the Kaiser Half in San Francisco. I’m running the same race this Sunday. While I’m hoping to PR, 1:15:30 is very much a stretch goal for this race.
Goal 3: 2:37 Marathon (5:59 pace)
This blog is called the 6 Minute Project because it’s chronicling my quest to run a marathon at a sub-6 pace. A 2:37 marathon is my lifetime running goal.
I ran three marathons last year, and improved my PR to 2:47 (race report). 10 minutes off of a marathon is ambitious, but it’s within the realm of possibility. My marathon performance is bottlenecked by muscle cramps, not cardiovascular fitness. In the 2018 SF Marathon (race report), I lost about 6 minutes to cramps. If I can prevent the cramping, a sub-6 marathon is possible.
I also have two off-road goals:
Goal 4: 50k trail run
My friend Matt and I want to run from Balinas Ridge to San Francisco, passing through Mount Tam, Muir Woods, and the Golden Gate Bridge (route). It sounds epic!
A 50k will also help me learn more about muscle cramps, both how to prevent them and, likely, how to deal with them.
Goal 5: Coach Max and Cliff to run a sub-6 mile
I have an inexplicable obsession with 6 minute pace, and like most zealots I’m eager to spread my beliefs. That’s why when Max Deutsch and Cliff Weitzman asked me last year if they could run 5:59, I told them absolutely.
I forgot how difficult that is for a non-runner and we attempted it without training. We weren’t able to hit the pace, though Max made it to lap 4 (see his post here).
This year, Max, Cliff and I have agreed to 8 weeks of training leading up to the attempt. Max and Cliff are among the most motivated people I know, and I am sure we can do it.
