I set myself some specific goals, but the key one is just getting myself into as good a shape as possible for one day this year: the Olympic marathon.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Marathons are good training goals.
A doable goal for me is to finish a marathon under four hours. I'm doing all the training, but the hardest part is eating right.
As a scientist, I play in the top league - the Olympics, the World Championships - and I want to be in the lead. As a runner, I set personal goals, and I want to push beyond my own personal limits. I was very happy when I practiced for several months and then reached my goal to run a marathon in 2:50.
I have to change a lot of things before I become a good marathon runner.
Marathon runners set explicit goals.
Running a marathon is something I've always wanted to do.
What I think a lot of great marathon runners do is envision crossing that finish line. Visualization is critical. But for me, I set a lot of little goals along the way to get my mind off that overwhelming goal of 26.2 miles. I know I've got to get to 5, and 12, and 16, and then I celebrate those little victories along the way.
I'm enjoying myself this year and for once I'm not chasing my fitness.
I sat down with my trainers to check my past seasons and to see what could be done to keep me motivated and in good shape. I had to find a new motivation, a new momentum.
There are other things I want to focus on rather than staying in shape.