Since my big race is in TWO weeks, this topic came to mind:
1.CROSS THE FINISH LINE.
I loosely completed the Hal Higdon Novice 18 week plan (for the first 8 weeks) and the Senior Hal Higdon Novice Plan (very loosely) for the last 8 weeks.
All the long runs (13+miles) were hard.
So I don’t take this distance for granted.
2.NOT CRASH AND BURN THE 2ND HALF.
I pretty do that on all my races.
I did that in 2019.
It’s not easy when you are in a corral with faster runners.
In 2023, my cramped right calf had me walking the 16 miles. (Still don’t know why that happened.)
3.ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.
Soak up the amazing crowds, scenery, music.
4.APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF MY FRIENDS.
In 2019, my tennis friends drove down to cheer me on at mile 18.
Last year, some of my running friends were there to cheer me on during the race.
This year, some of my friends helped me get those long training runs done.
Even if they are not on the course, I know my friends will be tracking me and offering the needed virtual support.
5.FEEL GREAT AFTER.
26.2 miles on these old legs…
I hope to feel good enough to run another day….
I have a Thanksgiving 10k and another 10k in early December on my schedule.
TIME GOAL:
A: under 5:29 (PR)
B: under 6:00 (faster than 2023)
C: just finish the damn thing
Happy Running! Do your goals change for a race that you repeat? Please share.

It’s Friday so I’m linking up with bloggers, Me (My First 5K and More), Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and The Running Teacher!
So Join in!
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Well, I’m excited for you! I hope you get great weather and have an incredible experience. I was listening to a podcast recently where the guy flipped his A-B-C goals- his A goal was to finish. B goal was a certain time, and C goal was a reach. I love that, because if your A goal is a PR, and you realize early on it’s not going to happen, it can be discouraging. This way you’re aiming for you A goal ( to finish) and anything else is icing on the cake.
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I like that. I should switch.
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When I read this, I love your tennis and running friends! What a lovely support group!
I agree with Jenny about switching the goals around. A healthy goal for anyone is to finish, and in my opinion finishing a marathon (at any time) is impressive. But I hope you can run most of it this time, that your body parts will stay happy and that you get a good running experience.
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Thanks for your support. Fingers crossed.
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You will crush it, Darlene! Not many over 70-year old women attempt this. You can be very proud of yourself!
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Thanks. I like the way you think.
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Yay! It is coming up. I am excited for you!!
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Maybe more excited than I am. Scary.
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