Chicago Marathon 2016 Goal Chat

THE BIG RACE IS IN 3 DAYS, GUYS. Seriously can't believe at the end of this week I'll be running the Chicago Marathon for the third year in a row. This year feels a little different-like it snuck up on me somehow? I'm sure I'll be feeling more marathon excited once I get into Chicago tomorrow night. 

Honestly the whole idea of writing about my goals is scary. It's stupid because everyone I am friends with or who follows me on social media knows I'm running the Chicago Marathon. People who run who I've talked to more in depth know that I want a BQ. And that means a faster BQ not a BQ like last year where I will not get accepted to run the Boston Marathon. 

The weather is looking cooler this year which means I might feel better than last year. My training wasn't perfect. School and life get in the way. I didn't get my mileage as high as I ultimately wanted. It's easy to sit in taper and look at your training schedule and think you should have ran more, or done more speed workouts, or ran an extra 20 miler run.  But now the work is all done and the race on Sunday is the victory lap. 

I did run many hard workouts and ran some really great races so I am proud of this training cycle.   

It's just the idea of putting your goals out there and not achieving them that scares the crap out of me because it's embarrassing and a terrible feeling. There's nothing I can do but put my goals out there and hope that lots of love, support, and good vibes are with me on race day.  I believe in the power of positive thinking and mentally getting yourself prepared but not psyched out. 

 If you are just as anxious as I am before a race, just remember that you did all the work so now all you have to do is show up to the start line and have FUN. 

Goal A: Run a 3:30. A most likely fast enough BQ time and PR. 

Goal B: PR so sub 3:34:48. A PR is still a PR and even if it isn't a fast enough BQ, it's another BQ time which is a double accomplishment.  

Goal C: Run a strong race and finish healthy with a smile on my face. 

Honestly Chicago was a last minute decision. If things aren't feeling great, I want to finish strong and will have another chance at Goal A at the Philadelphia Marathon next month. 

I can breathe deeply and breathe out all that negativity and pressure. 

ALSO if you are going to be at the race expo on Saturday, you should totally come to the We Run Social meetup at 1 PM at the Runner's World Stage because I'M co-hosting! I'd love to meet some people and give/get some hugs. 

Is it scary for you to admit your goals publicly? How do you mentally prepare for a race?