Changing challenges

I have had the worst luck with my 2013 Race a Month Challenge. In fact, I knew a couple of months ago that the odds of success were heavily stacked against me. And as my efforts to make up for lost time haven’t worked, I have finally decided to give up. Well, I have finally decided to change the focus of my challenge at least.

Here’s the deal: My original goal was to run one organised race every month throughout 2013. However, the year got off to a bad start and only got worse from there. And now that I will be delaying my return to Scotland, I am going to be missing yet another race.

So, I’ve decided to take the hit and realise that I will not be able to reach my initial challenge. Between all of the many and varied stresses and illnesses I’ve faced this year, it just can’t be done. Or at least it can’t be done without pushing my body too far and ending up sick all over again.

Of course, it’s not acceptable for me to just realise that one goal isn’t going to be possible. No, instead I must work on a new goal; just because goals are what keep me going in this world.

To that, my new 2013 goal is to work on my short distance speed, breaking a 28-minute 5K pace by the end of the year. Admittedly, that’s still nearly 10 minutes slower than my fastest-ever 5K, but I’m also more than 20 years older than I was when I ran my record pace.

I would ideally like to run a sub-28 5K in an official road race, but I will take a training time if I can’t get a race scheduled before the end of the year. What does all of this mean for you? Well, not much I suppose. But I promise to let you know as soon as I’ve hit my goal.

Wish me luck!