So you signed up for a marathon...now what?!

This is the question I have been asking myself for the last 2 weeks. I have 40 weeks to go until I have to run 26.2 miles and I have been through a ton of emotions from "Holy cow...what was I thinking?" to total excitement! I am sure there are many more to come. But for now what to do?

Its the perfect time for a little GOAL SETTING. If you don't do this...you should! Not only for your running, but also for your work life, your finances, your home, any area you are looking to improve.

So I have decided to block my 40 weeks into mini segments.

The first starts with the SW half marathon on May 1st (or 36 weeks). For now I am taking the next 4 weeks and concentrate on training for this distance. I'd like to match my half PR of 2:03:31 (and another goal of mine is to break 2 hours on the half...but more to come on that).

Unfortunately that doesn't look likely due to a back injury, but I was happily surprised by a GREAT 10 mile run with my friend Dana on Saturday that left me just 9 seconds off my desired pace. So I am choosing to focus on the positive and work my training with just a few long runs to go and then I get to take it a little easier on Saturdays :)

I am working on a second half for later for the early fall to hopefully train and break that 2 hour mark at! I'm open to any recommendations for a great fall half.

My third half will be a big one...yep I am headed west for BIG SUR in November and I am super excited. I have no time goal for this and I won't be racing it as its too close to the marathon. I am going to enjoy the rolling hills and beautiful view of the bay area on my yearly destination half marathon! I find that destination races help keep you interested and excited about your training. So my goal is to keep training and have a great trip!

Then my year will end (or 2012 will begin) with the whole enchilada......the Disney Marathon.

My big goal here is to get to the start line happy and healthy. To do this you can see how all my other goals throughout the year feed into this one. It's going to be one heck of a ride!

So if you have a chance sit down and think about your goals...and write them down. No goal is too small or too big as long as it makes you happy! Remember if you do goal set, you'll have quite a bit to go back, look at, and be proud of.

Run Happy! Dr Misty