Adjusting my marathon training, by adding
structure and a target time to work towards, was
exactly what I needed to spice up my training and to
motivate me to put in the work. In fact, it also had a
knock-on effect of making the training more fun.
As the training had been so successful and because I
was confident that I could achieve my goal, when it
came to running the race I kept the same goal that
had worked so well up until then.
However, I hadn't allowed for almost record
temperatures and had also forgotten quite how
difficult it is to maintain a pace when surrounded by
hundreds of other runners going at different paces.
So by the time I realised that my target was no longer
achievable, I didn't have another one to take its place.
Consequently, the final third of the race was a real
struggle for me as I had nothing to aim for any more.
I look on the New York City Marathon in 2003 as my
most successful marathon to date. It was actually my
slowest marathon time but it was also, by far, the
most enjoyable. It is the only marathon where
immediatley after finishing I was planning when I
could do my next one, and even wondering how I
could spice it up a bit.
So what was the key difference between last Sunday's
race and New York?
In New York I set out with 3 separate targets: a basic
target - to complete the course and enjoy the whole
experience; a bonus target - to complete it in under 5
hours; and an "icing on the cake" target - to complete it
under 4 and a half hours. In the end, I achieved two
out of the three and was ecstatic as a result.
It is difficult to conjure up a new target when you're
already in the thick of it, for example after 18 miles of
running when your only target has just disappeared
and you are already feeling deflated and exhausted.
But if you plan for potential obstacles beforehand and
create two or more targets, the options are already
laid out.
If I had done this last Sunday, it would have been
much easier to adjust, refocus and plough on, and I
would have had a much better chance of enjoying the
entire race.
So, when setting your work, career, personal or life
targets, start with something that you know that you
can achieve, even if obstacles do appear, and that will
still feel like an achievement.
Then pick a second target that feels realistic but is
more of a stretch.
Finally, set an "icing on the cake" target that
represents your absolute ideal.
Then aim for the icing on the cake, but be ready to
recalibrate to adjust to what life throws at you.
Thanks for reading. The next issue will be on the 6th
of June.
