1 Goal - 2 Years - 3 Hours

“Accountability breeds response-ability.” Stephen R. Covey

Verbalizing a goal makes it easier to achieve and that is why I have decided to document my journey to running a sub three hour marathon in the next two years.  I have run several marathons and have dabbled into triathlon, but I want to take it to the next level.  If you would have told me five years ago that I would run a marathon, I would have laughed in your face. But after thousands of miles under my feet, I want to set a higher goal.  Someone one said that man sets his own limitations, so we need to not set any.  Honestly, right now I am having a slump in my fitness and to think of running a sub three hour race seems nearly impossible.  But I know I always would regret not trying.  Another favorite quote of mine is this:

“The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal reach.” – Benjamin Mays

This goal is going to take a couple of years and I am going to use this blog to document the journey.  I running the Chicago marathon this weekend, October 7^th, but it is going to be a “fun run.”  Like I said, I am in a slump right now, and my runs have been sub par.  But this training stint has made me realize how frustrating it is to perform less than my best, and therefore I aim to turn my running around.  Despite job related anxiety and stress and a new schedule as a recent grad, I am confident that if I work hard enough, I can reach this goal. 

In order to accomplish sub three hour marathon, there are a few “micro” goals that will aid in my feat. 

 1. Get leaner.  Job related stresses and big life changes have led to the “freshman fifteen” … at 24 years old. I need to drop 15 pounds to get back to the race weight necessary to maintain 6:50 min/mi pace.

2. Yoga 2 times a week.  This is will help reduce my stress levels which aid in reaching goal #1 as well as increase my strength and flexibility. 

3. Core work 3 times a week. 

4. Continue to take vitamins and necessary supplements. 

5. Incorporate more speed/track work outs.

I plan on evaluating my progress on these goals monthly and I am excited about the progress that should ensue!  What is so wonderful about running is that it comes better with age…I am by no means past my prime…my prime has yet to come! 

Stayed tuned for my Chicago marathon race report!