New year, new goals. That’s usually how it goes for me. I love a good challenge, but I just wasn’t feeling called to a massive goal this year. Rather, I kept returning to a simple thing: keep showing up and chipping away. After much thought, here’s where I landed for 2020 goals:
Run a 6:00 mile. Well, I guess I’d really like to go sub-6, so let’s say 5:59. Last year my goal was to hit a 7:00 mile, and it came faster and easier than I expected. I don’t think that will be the case this year. I’m expecting every single one of those remaining seconds to be a battle. I actually got my time down to 6:23. I won’t work on this until after running my spring marathon. In the early summer, I’ll add more speed work at the track and plan to run my first ever road mile race—the perfect time to go for that sub-6!
See what I can do with the marathon. I stalled on setting my goals because of this one in particular. 3:15 is my big next target, but I’m not sure how many races it will take, or if I can get there in 2020. Because I’m testing out a higher mileage training plan than I’ve ever done before, it’s tough to know exactly where my fitness is. In the end, I decided that any progress is good by me. Fingers crossed I can hit 3:30 at Boston, then evaluate from there. One step at a time.
Keep showing up in the running community. Last year this was a goal for the first time and it changed my whole relationship with running. I still love a long solo run, silent and meditative, but I have found the joy in running with others, being part of a team, and showing up for others. I plan on continuing with the Oiselle Volée, volunteering for at least a couple of races, including the Olympic Trails in Atlanta, and for the first time I pulled the trigger on a USA Track & Field membership. Who knows where else this goal will lead!
It was surprisingly difficult to set goals coming off a year like I had in 2019 where I achieved two major life goals. My first 50-miler and first BQ. I kept thinking maybe I should add something else or push harder. But I also want to stay grounded in why I do this. It’s for joy. And because I love the process. Not to obsess over splits and train to the bone. This is enough for where I am right now.
I also thought I would tackle my first 5K this year, but one hasn’t called to me yet. We’ll see… And with that, here’s my tentative race schedule for the year.
2020 Race Schedule
March 1: Atlanta Half Marathon
April 20: Boston Marathon
June 19: Joseph Maley Road Mile
July 18: 8-Hour Dream Endurance Relay
August 31: Sioux Falls Marathon
October 3: Fort Ben Half Marathon
I am open to the possibility of adding a fall or winter marathon, and possibly one of the shorter holiday races, depending on how I feel later in the year.