What are your long term goals?

--amadeus--

OK, I'll admit it I am finding it hard to concentrate on work today...

Anyway as runners we are all pretty much always working towards a goal or a target. Typically a race, maybe a marathon. But from being self employed I know that you can spend all your time looking at trees and never think about teh wood. We all focus on teh next race and maybe some of us don't set longer term goals, after this race then what? How will my next race fit in the longer, bigger strategy?

In my own case I set a three race plan after Rotterdam last year. I ran that in 3:15 and I hoped to run ~3:10 in Dublin that Autumn. After that the plan was ~3:05 this spring and a crack at sub 3 this autumn. As it happens I've been bullied into trying the sub 3 a race early but it's still part of teh bigger plan!

My intention is to stick at standard road marathons until my times plateau or go into decline - once I know I've run as fast over 26 miles as I can I want to look at ultras and adventure races. But hopefully thats all a few years away yet!

What about you lot - what are your medium and long term goals?

Woddle

Qualify for the 2012 olympics in the marathon





Oh its not April fools day anymore
Seriously just really to keep improving and to tick off all RF big 8, I would love to think I could improve in the marathon to the standard of stupid private and roadrunner, I'm not too sure how realistic that is with the whole hard work v talent, the latter I am lacking.

shels4ever

Short term - Finish Belfast
Medium term - F
Long term - Pb, 3k , 5k, 5m make a return on the Track and 2 propper XC season before i'm totally over the hill...

Krusty_Clown

Medium:
Spring Marathon (Edinburgh): ~3:05
Autumn Marathon (Berlin): 2:59

Long term goal:
Run/race a marathon major every year, until I've exhausted them all. Achieve this without buying a package tour, or a charity entry, so I need a Boston Qualifier time, and a London good for age (even if I have to wait four years until I'll be in the next age category!).

Longer Term goal:
Run all of the worthy marathons throughout the world, with the emphasis on run, rather than race.

Super-long term goal:
Run, and enjoy it.

--amadeus--

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Long term goal:
Run/race a marathon major every year, until I've exhausted them all. Achieve this without buying a package tour, or a charity entry, so I need a Boston Qualifier time, and a London good for age (even if I have to wait four years until I'll be in the next age category!).

Isn't New York tougher to qualify for than London? When I looked for my age group a Boston was 3:15, London sub 3 and NYC 2:55. Or is there a loophole I've missed :crossed fingers:

Krusty_Clown

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Isn't New York tougher to qualify for than London? When I looked for my age group a Boston was 3:15, London sub 3 and NYC 2:55. Or is there a loophole I've missed :crossed fingers:

New York has the entry lottery, which after 5 years of unsuccessful attempts, you get a golden ticket. (I hope! - Otherwise it'll be at the end of my majors list, when I hit that next age bracket!).

TFBubendorfer

In 2004 I ran my first marathon (Dublin) in 4:06. I then bought the Pfitzinger-Douglas book, and one of the things they recommend is to set three goals, short-term, medium-term and a lifetime goal. The last one should be ambitious enough that you wouldn't announce it to anyone for fear of boasting.

Back then I set my lifetime goal to running a marathon under 3 hours. This was over an hour better than what I had just managed and I did not expect to ever come close. I didn't tell anyone about it for 3 years.

17 days from now I'll give it a good shot in Boston. Wish me luck.

Bobby04

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

In 2004 I ran my first marathon (Dublin) in 4:06. I then bought the Pfitzinger-Douglas book, and one of the things they recommend is to set three goals, short-term, medium-term and a lifetime goal. The last one should be ambitious enough that you wouldn't announce it to anyone for fear of boasting.

Back then I set my lifetime goal to running a marathon under 3 hours. This was over an hour better than what I had just managed and I did not expect to ever come close. I didn't tell anyone about it for 3 years.

17 days from now I'll give it a good shot in Boston. Wish me luck.

That's fairly inspirational stuff. The very best of luck to you.

hawkwing

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

In 2004 I ran my first marathon (Dublin) in 4:06. I then bought the Pfitzinger-Douglas book, and one of the things they recommend is to set three goals, short-term, medium-term and a lifetime goal. The last one should be ambitious enough that you wouldn't announce it to anyone for fear of boasting.

Back then I set my lifetime goal to running a marathon under 3 hours. This was over an hour better than what I had just managed and I did not expect to ever come close. I didn't tell anyone about it for 3 years.

17 days from now I'll give it a good shot in Boston. Wish me luck.

Best of luck, that's great going.

rainbow kirby

Short-term goal: Sub-hour 10k
Medium-term goal: Finish a half-marathon, preferably under 2.20. Also finish a marathon. Just crossing the finish line would be enough there.
Lifetime goal: To run a BQ marathon, or to do one of the really crazy adventure races.

Krusty_Clown

*Edit*: New York qualification: Those who have been denied entry three years in a row. 4th year guaranteed.

Qualifying times for New York:
Men (18-39): 2:55
Men (40+): 3:10

London Good for age:
Men (18-40): 3:00
Men 41+: 3:15

So I can qualify for New York when I'm 40, and use the same qualification for London a year later (they allow results from previous two years!), when I'm 41.

SUNGOD

shels4ever wrote: »

Short term - Finish Belfast

i read that as....finish breakfast.........think its specsavers for me

spurscormac

Goals for running since joining a club:

1. Lose weight.
Progress: Down 1 stone since Xmas, hope to continue and lose at least another 1/2 to 1 stone.

2. Improve fitness.
Progress: Along with the losing weight, its a natural progression.
Definitely feel fitter, and the 5/6 mile runs & speed sessions are really helping - though this will I assume only be proved by the results of goal 3.

3. Set PBs for various distances.
Progress: Having only run a couple of 8ks, and 9 5ks over the past two years, the main aim is on the 5k.
Mile pb unknown Goal sub 6:30 and take it from there.
5k - pb 22:10 Goal sub 21.
8k - pb 38:54 Goal sub 36
10k - pb 51:37 Goal sub 47

4. Long Term Goals
Complete a 1/2 marathon, full marathon and maybe, just maybe I'd be crazy to try something nuts like an ultra or adventure race (Gael Force 6 looks doable).


I have the Galway 5k series coming up at the end of this month and hope to get close to my 21 minute target by the 5th race - I'm away for the last one, so will have to push it.
Never done the mile yet, so the upcoming mile meet in Dangan should be a bit of fun, will make a more accurate goal once I see what time I'm capable of there.

SUNGOD

short term: get back running to the level i was before the ultra

medium term: sub 3 in berlin in september

long term: sub 5 in conn ultra next year


i like what krusty said about running all the major marathon and just running long term and enjoying it



best of luck to TFBubendorfer great progress shown there

asimonov

Thomas, Best of luck in Boston.

Your blog is a cracking read, and your evolution from "rubbish" to the form your showing now in training is inspirational. What i think is rewarding about running is in the long term that you tend to get back what you put in - and Boston should pay you back handsomely for those outrageous early morning runs.

in terms of goals, my short term goal is to PB my marathon time in Dublin, my medium term goal is to arrive at the age of 40 (18 months time) fit and in good running form, and my long term goal is to never enter a race where i could suffer necrosis

eliwallach

asimonov wrote: »

my medium term goal is to arrive at the age of 40 (18 months time) fit and in good running form,

That would put you & me in almost the same "vintage";)
Will hit 40 in Sep 2010 :eek:.

Very short term: Score a substantial PB at 10K on Sunday.

Short term: Work up to and complete Half Marathon (prob the Bay Run and Dingle) in less than 1:42 and 1:39 respectively.

Medium term: Go sub 4hr for DCM '09 and bury the demons from last year.

Long (Long) Term: To run a 10k with one of my kids (they are currently 3 and 11/2), and generally to keep enjoying it.

RoyMcC

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

17 days from now I'll give it a good shot in Boston. Wish me luck.

Good luck Thomas! I'm madly jealous as that is one race that I'd love to do before I die, but sadly I will never attain a BQ time

TheRoadRunner

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

*Edit*: New York qualification: Those who have been denied entry three years in a row. 4th year guaranteed.

Qualifying times for New York:
Men (18-39): 2:55
Men (40+): 3:10

London Good for age:
Men (18-40): 3:00
Men 41+: 3:15

So I can qualify for New York when I'm 40, and use the same qualification for London a year later (they allow results from previous two years!), when I'm 41.

I looked at these qualifiers before and as far as I remember they also take half marathon qualifiers and they were much softer than the marathon times. I think something like 1.25 for half. Still good running but IMO soft compared to 2.55 full marathon

Krusty_Clown

TheRoadRunner wrote: »

I looked at these qualifiers before and as far as I remember they also take half marathon qualifiers and they were much softer than the marathon times. I think something like 1.25 for half. Still good running but IMO soft compared to 2.55 full marathon

It's 1:23, which McMillan reckons is the exact equivalent of a 2:55 marathon (well, 1:22:59 to be exact, but what's a second between runners). It's 1:30 for Masters (40+).

--amadeus--

I've never raced a half but I think I'd find it easier to run a 1:23 half than a 2:55 marathon. I know they are equivalent by the calculators but if I had to pick one as being easier (relatively speaking) it'd be the half.

BeepBeep67

My goals are centered around 6min pace:

Next 6 weeks run 6min pace for 5k (18:42) - 18:54 in Feb '09
This summer run 6min pace for 4m

Raheny 6min pace for 5m - 31:42 in Jan '09
End of next summer 6min pace for 10k

Very aggressive - but I like challenges, I'm living my 3rd life a runner (Junior, 28 - 30 and now 41 - 42)

Slogger Jogger

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

New York has the entry lottery, which after 5 years of unsuccessful attempts, you get a golden ticket. (I hope! - Otherwise it'll be at the end of my majors list, when I hit that next age bracket!).

KC - 3 years, not 5. I got my entry for this year, but I've deferred it out til next year. Also, the time limit is a bit less restrictive when you hit the big four O. 3.15 or 3.10 I think.

... I should have read the more recent posts... as you're updated that yourself :rolleyes:

Krusty_Clown

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

KC - 3 years, not 5. I got my entry for this year, but I've deferred it out til next year. Also, the time limit is a bit less restrictive when you hit the big four O. 3.15 or 3.10 I think.

Yeah, I figured that out - and also applied for entry at the same time.
Hoping I don't get it this year, but if it's easy to defer, maybe it's not such a bad thing. Next year I hope to do Boston, so 2011 would be perfect. I'm also adding Rotterdam to the list of Majors, cos it sounds great.

Slogger Jogger

Very short term: to break my marathon PB

Short term: to break 3 hrs for marathon. If it happens very short term, then thats a bonus.

Medium term: to reach the 20 marathon mark this year. To run the Wicklow way (in stages - not the 'all in a day' Enduro style

Long term: Run New York next year. Hit the 25 marathon mark. Hit the 100 hill race mark.

Very long term: (lifted this from a previous post as its a goody.. to be enjoying my running in a few years time, and to be able to run with my boys... eldest now 8.)

Clum

I'd love to win a marathon. I've won at much shorter distance but winning a marathon sounds deadly.

I'm way off the standard required at the moment. If all went well I'd run 2.55, maybe 2.50, so it'll be a couple of years of improvement AND it'd have to be a small one like Connemara, Dingle or Mooathon cos I don't think I'd ever go faster than 2.40.

Krusty_Clown

Clum wrote: »

I'd love to win a marathon. I've won at much shorter distance but winning a marathon sounds deadly.

I'm way off the standard required at the moment. If all went well I'd run 2.55, maybe 2.50, so it'll be a couple of years of improvement AND it'd have to be a small one like Connemara, Dingle or Mooathon cos I don't think I'd ever go faster than 2.40.

You'd have to get lucky with the Connemarathon. It's been won a number of times with times around 2:30 and there's a reason the times are a bit slower (e.g. unfavourable weather on the day). Though in 2002 it was won in 2:57.
Longford marathon is usually won in a time of around 2:20 - 2:30, even though it's a small field. It's a lofty goal. Fair play to ya.

Sosa

Long Term Goals :

Stay healthy,i have been very lucky over my sporting life not to get any serious injuries.

I would like to do New York or Boston marathon at some stage.
( even before i ever ran a mile i had toughts of doing the NYC marathon )
after my 4m time last week,mcmillan has me capable of sub 83 mins for a half...that would get me into New York and i would like to think ( with the right training over the summer ) that i could go sub 3:10 in Dublin this year.

I will never run an ultra
and cannot see myself doing to many marathons either

Short term goals :
Continue to set PB's at races
Would like to break 30mins for 5m in June ( if possible )
Sub 29 mins at GSK 5 in July ( lofty,but maybe possible )
Sub 18 at a 5k ( no idea when i will do one though )
Sub 63 mins for 10m

and the main one....go out there and enjoy yourself lad's !

ecoli

Leaving the ranks of junior this year though i have been injured for the last four months(nightmare).
For the summer my plan is to go around 15.40 for 5k and hopefully build up my strength to tackle a sub 75 half and then keep working towards my long term goal of the marathon with hopefully a respectable 2.30 ish.
Prob slightly optimistic but we gotta aim high

RacoonQueen

Slighty O/T but is it just me or are the womens qualifying times for Boston and London very soft? Not that I mind as I'm hoping to run a BQ time sometime in the near future.

Short term goal - recover well from the Conn Ultra and train well for Edinburgh in 8 weeks. I'm hoping to PB in Edinburgh which given my 30 mile time in Conn and the fast course I should be on course for.

Medium term goal - chip away at my body fat % and keep improving my half and marathon times.

Long term goal - Lots and lots of ultras, the MDS would be amazing and I'm reading a book about ultras at the moment and the Barkley 100 has won my heart. :pac:

I would like to have a go at tri's aswell, an Ironman would be amazing but I'm not really that fond of cycling and I'm like a cat in water so :pac:

Edit: and of course to always, always, always continue to absolutely love what I do, to cointinue waking up the day after a marathon or tough long run with pain and feel that it is totally worth it etc etc etc

Timmaay

Hmm, I have to admit that I haven't had a goal in running for the last few months (running has taken a back seat to work and bikes), and my running has definately suffered because of this. Before I use take logs of every run and kept an eye on my weekly mileage and had set targets, ie knock 10 secs off my pb for my next 5k race or whatever. Now I'm lucky to get out 3days a week and just hop into races if I'm free. But still I suppose it comes and goes in waves, and I'll get the show back on the road soon again.

The only goal that I've still set in stone is to enjoy every moment of it, and to be still doing this well into my 50s/60s and not end up with a massive beerbelly spending my weekends/evenings in the pub

shels4ever

SUNGOD wrote: »

i read that as....finish breakfast.........think its specsavers for me

Now that would have been a better goal

christeb

Short term:
Break 40 for 10k.
Run a good Dublin Marathon. In my current state I would hope this will be midly threatening to a BQ time (3:10)

Med Term:
Break 3hrs for the marathon and run Boston (not necessarily in that order).
Would also like to finish Top 10 in some sort of race, possibly in the Dublin Duathlons. This will of course require me to buy a MUCH cooler bike!
Possibly extend this to triathloons if I start swimming lessons.

Long Term:
To become a "runner" and enjoy every mile

Quality Feet

Sort Term (this year)
To complete Dingle and Dublin marathons in sub 4 hrs
I ran paris last year in 4.05 and retired for a few months and after picking up a couple of injuries. i am now back in training, so to run 2 marathons 5 weeks apart in sub 4 would be great.

Medium Terrm(by 2011)
To get a qualifying Boston time
this would be my ultimate goal, up to now i have run/trained with no speed work so with the right training and commitment and time scale i feel this is achievable

Long Term(by 2013)
To run the Ultra in Conn
after reading Dean Karnazes Ultramarathon Man and seeing the runnrs in conn this has become a dream of mine.

Enduro

This is the best thread I've ever read in this forum. Great stuff everyone. There are some really really excellent goals, a few of which I'm going to adopt myself.

To everyone who expressed an interest in progressing into Ultras or Adventure Races, feel free to drop me a PM if you've any queries about either. I've got lots and lots of experience in both and its always great to see new people getting into the sports.

As for my goals:

Short term - Try and set a good distance at the world 24 hour running challenge next month. I've never managed a good run at the worlds yet (have had to give up after about 16 hours each time).

Medium term - keep racing competively accross all my favourite events before age hauls me down... IMRA races, adventure races, Ultras (although I expect aging to help rather than hinder here, just need to find where my optimal race is as time goes on)

Maybe long term, maybe not - Complete the wicklow round and set a reasonable record for it. Try and make the IAU A-standard (240Km) for 24 hours.

jlang

(Part goal declaration, part introspective what am I up to post.)

I've had more time to run etc than I want due to the economic situation and my times and general fitness are definitely showing the benefit. I'm still at the stage on the curve where I can expect a PB in any race I take seriously despite relatively unstructured training so I don't know how far away the limits are. The constraint is likely to end up being my commitment/time/dedication and the challenge will be to maintain progression off reduced training once pressures of work and family life increase.

Achieved targets for this year:
sub 35 in Raheny, substantial PB in Connemara.

Upcoming targets:
3:30 marathon in 14 days - looks likely but it's only my second marathon so I'm not counting eggs yet.
Enjoy Valentia Triathlon.
Complete Wicklow 200 cycle.
Summer/Autumn targets - not picked yet.

Medium Term:
1. Swimming education is not progressing as well as I'd hoped so the target must be to improve my swimming. Reason: to enable me enter longer tri races.
2. I'm really enjoying doing a low-pressure, low-fuss, local, cheap race every couple of weeks so I'd like to keep these up - BHAA, duathlons, fun runs, etc. Will probably try out an IMRA race in the near future too - been holding off because I'd hate to have to go to Vienna at marathon time with a sprained ankle.

Long term:
Keep going. (I'd like to aim for 1 marathon per year in interesting places. Getting a qualifying time for Boston would be a nice that's-as-fast-as-I-ever-need-to-run goal)
I'd love to do a half ironman distance triathlon in the next year or two and then evaluate whether I can realistically think of training for the full 140.6. If I don't, I can see me talking myself into an ultra-something.
I've been lucky never to be injured or suffer from shin splints, etc (yet) - long may that continue. I'd rather back off chasing targets and not be injured than push too hard too fast and risk being out for months/longer.