One of the most rewarding things about running is setting a goal for yourself and achieving it. Identifying a new personal record to go after and creating a training plan around it creates purpose for your runs. However, it’s more than just crossing the finish line and receiving the medal. It’s all about the journey up to the race that can be the most rewarding whether or not your get your personal record.
Identifying your next Personal Record
Regardless of where you are in your running journey, setting a goal for a 5K, half marathon, marathon, or other race distance really puts a lot of focus on your training. I creates discipline to your running routine. Most training plans have a set number of miles per week or even day to follow. There are many plans out there and I’ve tried many of them. I usually start with recommendations from Hal Higdon. (https://www.halhigdon.com) It all depends on the distance you are running, where you are in your running journey, and what you goals are.
There is something special about a marathon that I cannot describe. It is quite the commitment to an event over a several month period. Setting a goal can be relatively straightforward. It can be as simple as finishing a longer distance to setting a new Personal Record.
Once you have a goal, the mental and physical stress are very difficult to manage throughout the training process. You will put your body through many more miles of training just to get there. The physical pain is when you push your body too hard and you injure you calf or IT band. It’s the week to week debate of stopping due to an injury or pushing through. The mental pain is during your long runs, your legs feel like they are on fire and you don’t think you can go further.
Benefits of Setting a Goal
There are several benefits of putting yourself through this process of achieving a running goal:
- Health benefits: Losing weight, reduced stress, and improved well being can be side effects of a training program. I noticed it during my longer training runs. It was hard to keep up with calories for some of those longer days, especially when you don’t feel like eating. Your experience will vary, but generally you are burning a ton of calories and feel energized once training is done.
- Becoming Disciplined: Not only do you run, but you are on a schedule and routine. Check out your local running stores or clubs for training groups. Longer distances get a lot easier when with a group and can be at set times on the weekend. There is a fairly set schedule for most training programs.
- Rewarding Experience: Something about having a higher purpose and achieving a goal, especially a hard goal is really rewarding. Knowing you were able to train and successfully achieve a PR is really something pretty cool. Getting that metal around your neck is the sign that you’ve done it and you can show it off to anyone and everyone.
- Learning your Limits: Without a goal, it’s difficult to know what you can actually accomplish. Setting an aggressive but measured goal can help figure out what you are capable of. Pushing to make yourself better is a huge benefit. You also will learn what your limits are.
Achieving the Goal
Running a race can be a great way to set a goal to push yourself and make yourself better. Achieving that PR will bring plenty of benefits. Many will have longer term benefits. Whatever your reason or motivation, I wish you the best on your run.