I’ve really been thinking about what my goals are for this race. Initially this year my goal was to break 1:55 in March, but I strained my *(&$##@* hamstring, and then break 1:50 later this year. Since my training has been up and down and all over the place since the National Half in March I am looking at RnR Chicago as a test of where I am at.
Race Goals
Crazy Audacious Goal: Break 1:55A Goal: PR (Sub 1:56:30)- B Goal: Sub 2:00 hours (If I don’t do this I will throw a silent fit. The only time I have ever finished above 2 hours was my very first half marathon).
***This is really the goal I am going for. I have fall races in cooler weather where I will be trying for the other goals. - C Goal: Finish better than my first half
Things that are completely out of my control:
- Weather, both temp and the evil, evil humidity
- Crowds
- The fact that my body can just not do what I want on race day
- Race day is always unpredictable
Goals for the weekend in Chicago:
- Have fun!
- Remember that I love racing.
My compliments on setting some realistic race day goals. I know it must be hard, but it sounds like it’s been a crazy year of training.
I just came off a cycle for SF that didn’t go my way and I was all sorts of nervous because I felt like I had taken a step back from where I was when I PR’d earlier this year. But once I got out there in SF, I felt better physically than I did on my PR day. You never know what kind of mood your body is going to be in on race day. But you do know that worst case, you’ll have more chances this fall. So go out, go for broke and have a great time! (Just don’t get hurt!)
Thanks. Plan is to go out easy and then push after 5-6 miles.
I so admire your realistic goals. Absolutely nothing you can do if Chicago throws 97% humidity at you. Go for it and what happens…happens. 🙂 Good luck!!
Thanks Kate!
I took me a solid 4 tries to break 2 hours in the half, but I’m lamesauce, so you’re golden. Best of luck to you this weekend. Hopefully the heat and humidity peace out. 😀
Thank you. I currently have a handful of 1:58, 1:59, 1:56 times. I’ll get there.