Go For That Goal!
How long would you keep reaching for a goal if it just wasn’t happening for you?
One month? Six months? A year? Five years??
Probably depends how badly you want it, right?
For me, the elusive goal I set over 15 years ago (before my son was even born) was running a half marathon in under two hours. For non-runners, this is the equivalent of running about a 9-minute mile pace for 13.1 miles. It’s not terribly difficult to run a mile or even a few at this pace if you’re used to running; however, if you aren’t naturally fast, or if you aren’t young, or if you don’t specifically train to run this pace for long distances, it is actually quite daunting to do for 13.1 miles in a row. For reference, my “comfortable” pace has always been around a 10 to 11-minute mile, so it didn’t seem to be that big of a stretch to get to a 9-minute mile pace for a half marathon race if I trained for it.
I almost said it like it was a no-brainer. I would just naturally get stronger and faster the more I ran (especially since I was trying) and of course, it would happen. Right? Ha!! Nope!!
When I set the goal, I had already been a runner for more than 5 years and I was consistently running. However, what I didn’t realize at the time is my body was very comfortable at a slower pace than required to make the goal I wanted, and it would take me MANY attempts before I would realize my dream.
At least I got a bunch of medals…
My typical half marathon race day started becoming like Groundhog Day. I would always rest and prep and talk it up and get super excited that this would be “the” race it would all fall into place. Then, I would start too fast, and at about the midpoint I would start cramping up or psyching myself out that there was no way I could finish at the pace I was going, and I would start slowing down or walking even. And there was no recovery from that. Even though I wanted it BADLY.
I would usually finish the half marathon races between 2 hours and 10 minutes and 2 hours and 25 minutes. Over and over again. I even finished one race in January of this year in two hours and 2 minutes!! So close!!
But then, victory!
I finally reached my goal in February 2023 at an official time of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 35 seconds!!
It was probably my 25th half marathon in 20 years.
Many times over the years I could have given up on that goal. No one would care. I was running and racing and that’s good enough. But for me, it wasn’t.
There is something so spectacular that happens when you reach a goal that has been just out of reach. You feel so alive, so proud, so invincible!!
That feeling can carry to other areas of your life, which is why I believe it is so good for our mental health to keep pushing ourselves to stretch just beyond our comfort level.
Does it have to be running?
No. But for me, it’s what I love. It gives me a sense of wholeness. I love the feeling of exhaustion, the break away from reality for a little bit, and pushing to see how far my body can go. And when there is a distance or time goal attached to it, it makes it even more meaningful for me.
I believe when you’re working intentionally on a goal that is important to you, it helps keep you on a path of stability and overall wellness.
But why was I so focused on this one particular goal?
I needed to prove to myself first of all, and also to my son as a role model for him, that we can do whatever we set our mind to if we make a plan, set intentional steps towards it, and keep working on it! I am so glad I didn’t give up on myself.
During 2022, when I realized that I wasn’t getting as fast as I had hoped, I started training differently, and with different people to push me past my comfort level. I changed my diet to fuel my body better. And after a few months, I started really seeing the improvement!
Progress gave me the motivation to keep going, and I finished the year feeling stronger than ever. And it paid off!
I get it, running is not for everyone. So how does this translate to setting your own goals?
Goals do not have to be fitness-based, or even health related at all, to be worthwhile.
Sometimes, it’s just about redirecting your energy towards a part of your life that you want improvement in. And a great way to start changing your mindset about a particular area is to think about how you would rate it on a scale of 1-10 currently as far as your satisfaction level. Maybe the goal is just to increase the rating from one number to a higher number in a certain amount of time. And then it’s about creating the steps to close the gap. It really can be that easy!
Here are a few tips for setting goals:
· Identify the goal - the more specific the better
· Make it challenging, yet attainable
· Set a realistic timeframe
· Break down action steps to work towards it- this should be series of baby steps so that you keep feeling the success towards it
· Be consistent with your efforts
· Reward yourself for making positive steps forward, and
· Never give up on yourself!
Summary
Oh... in case you’re wondering what happens after you reach that big goal?
Well, first you celebrate. Then you set a new goal!
My current goals are 1) training in the brutal Texas summer heat for a 50k race in the fall (approximately 31 miles) as part of an ultra-triathlon relay team and 2) setting myself up to be a race pacer at half marathons so that I can help other people reach their time goals. The first goal aligns with my need for friends and community, and the second goal aligns with my need to give back.
For as long as I am able to do so, I will keep stretching and growing and setting big goals.
I would love to help you set the goals that are worth going for in your life!
My coaching can help you develop a realistic plan for success, and I will be here to support you every step of the way.