Ramping up my running
I have some pretty ambitious (for me) running goals for 2020 and now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to ramp up my running so that I can meet all of them! And if I can keep the momentum going, I might even manage to beat all of them, instead of simply meeting them.
My foundational aim is to run 700+ miles, spread out over at least 175 running activities. Of course, if I am to meet or exceed the rest of my running goals, I will end up with more miles and (potentially) more activities. At this time, I am slightly behind in meeting those goals because of the winter weather. But I feel confident that I will be able to make up the difference as the weather improves. I will also work to bank up mileage and activities in anticipation of more bad weather come November and December.
My other running goals are time-related. I have set goals to run new personal best times for all of my distances, from a super-fast (for me) 1-mile run to shaving a few minutes off my half- and full-marathon times (and everything in between). In many ways, those goals will be harder to meet than my mileage goals because each one requires keeping a different pace and I will need to work on interval training, hill running, and tempo runs with more dedication than I normally give to such things.
I am cautiously optimistic that I will be in “running” shape to run the inaugural Declaration Half Marathon in Arbroath next month. The race celebrates the 700th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath and is a tad over a half marathon, at 13.20 miles to mark the signing in 1320. It should be a small competition field, which will make for a relaxing return to racing.
I am starting to think ahead to other races, too. Including the Loch Ness Marathon in the autumn and maybe even a race during my (yet-to-be-planned) Homeland Holidays. I haven’t participated in a race since before I broke my ankle, so I am trying to get back into the swing of things. And I am really looking forward to it.
It feels good to finally have the time and the energy for running more regularly, so I want to do everything I can to beat all of my running goals! I hope that I can get at least 40 miles this month, building on my 18+ miles in January and 24+ in February. Then, I hope to increase my mileage each month through September or October.
Yep, I am feeling pretty good about my 2020 running goals. It’s going to be a great year for smashing goals!