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Setting your marathon goals
Fundamental to the Runbayou program is that you can run your best marathon
if you've set a proper goal and are motivated to train towards it.
Here are some things to think about as you set your goal.
 | You must accept your goal - Yes, there are folks who can
help you set your goal; and there are tools (i.e., prediction tables based on
other race performances) to help you do this. But
ultimately it's your
goal. You own it and you must believe that the training you're doing will
allow you to achieve it. |
| Set a realistic or achievable goal - If your goal is to break the world
record next year and your best marathon time to date is 4 hours, it will be
difficult for the goal to keep you motivated. Especially as the goal marathon
gets closer and you still can't run at 8:00 pace for more than a couple of
miles. |
| Set a challenging goal - By the same token, if your last
marathon was 4 hours flat and you set a goal of 4 hours and 10 minutes,
your goal may not be too motivating. |
| Set a time specific goal - While setting a goal to
run a, "fast" marathon may be motivating, setting a goal to break
4 hours in the Houston Marathon in January 2007 is even better as it is
time specific. In other words, not just how fast but also when. |
But wait! Setting a time specific goal that is realistic and challenging and
is one that you believe in is only part of the formula. Now you have to do the
work...you have to train. And that is what makes the Runbayou program work. Set
a goal, put together a plan to reach it, and follow the most basic law of training.
Setting your goal should help your motivation to train. If it doesn't,
it may not be the right goal for you.
How will you know if runbayou helped
you reach your goal?
| Run the marathon faster than you did last year (if that's part of your
goal) - if the conditions suck, at least run better. |
| Minimize your chance of injury and stay healthy - If you get hurt, making
it to the starting line could be a problem. |
| Run your best when it counts - You'll peak near your goal race...probably not sooner.
Not to worry though. The program is designed to peak at the marathon. |
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