Happy Friday! Today I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
I’m going a little off topic on today’s theme (scheduling) to bring you my goals for the Chicago Marathon. As you read this on Friday morning, I’m either at the airport or on my flight to Chicago. It feels like I’ve been looking forward to this weekend forever – and that’s because I have! After almost 20 weeks of training, the big day is finally here and I couldn’t be more excited! I know I’ve put in the work so I hope that it shows on race day. Here are my five main goals for the race!
I’m going to be more focused for this race. In NYC I was just concerned with finishing. When I saw my family and friends I probably chatted a little too long which reflected in my finish time, LOL. I’m going to really be focusing on starting out easy and chipping away time in the 2nd half of the race. Since I’m running with water, I am hoping to avoid most of the water stations since I have heard they can be a little crowded. I’ll also be following that blue line like a hawk! I do have a little bit of anxiety about the race after the horrific events that happened in Las Vegas earlier this week, but I am going to try to keep my nerves under control.
Goal A: Finish in 5:00 or less
Okay, so based on my “good” long runs, I should be able to do this. Of course this means that all the stars have to align and the weather needs to be cool. Unfortunately the weather isn’t looking that great on race day. Don’t get me wrong, it could DEFINITELY be worse, but it’s not going to be as cool as I had hoped. Regardless, I’m going to try my absolute best on race day!
Goal B: 5:15 Finish Time
This finish time would still give me a huge PR (almost 30 mins) so I would definitely be happy with it.
Goal C: Finish the race with a smile
I think that everyone should have this goal for any race. Finishing a race is always a privilege and we should be super appreciative of this!
Goal D: Fuel properly
I still have issues with this, especially during races. I wait until it’s too late to start fueling my body. I’m going to be very diligent about making sure I fuel my body properly on race day morning, during the race and after the race.
Goal E: Meet up with blogger/Instagram friends
As always, I’m hoping to meet up with blogger/IG friends this weekend. It’s always wonderful when you can meet social media friends in person and then they become “in real life” friends. Between the expo, the WeRunSocial meet up and the race, I’m hoping to meet up with as many people as possible. Oh, and here’s more information on the WeRunSocial meet up on Saturday morning!
Finally, a huge THANK YOU to all of you – yes YOU! Thanks for following me on this journey and showing me overwhelming support during my training. I appreciate each and every one of you!
Have a great weekend!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Good luck this weekend! Hope the weather cooperates and you have so much fun!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lisa!
Marcia says
I really think that A goal is yours in Chicago. You’ve done the work. Praying the second half of the race doesn’t get too hot for you!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Marcia! I really hope so too 🙂 See you at might 13!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
So excited for you this weekend! I love going to big races and meeting up with fellow bloggers. Have a great race and most important I hope you finish with a smile. Kind of hard not too when there are cameras all around:)
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much! The expo today was a bit much (very crowded) for me but I’m looking forward to the race!
Coco says
I hope the weather is good and ALL the stars align for you! I can’t wait to hear about it.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much! I’m really hoping that the weather won’t be as warm as predicted.
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
I am so excited for you! Have a fantastic weekend. Can’t wait to hear all about it
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for all of your support!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
I hope you have a fabulous race! I kind of think goal b should be goal a — takes off a lot of pressure — and by doing that you might meet that time anyway. But that’s me.
Enjoy! And Garrett’s Popcorn is my secret to PRs, apparently. 🙂
kookyrunner says
I’m going to try to pick up some Garretts popcorn tomorrow!
courtney @ eat pray run dc says
Have a wonderful race. Run hard and be brave. I know you can do this, lady!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Courtney! I’m going to dig deep when the going gets tough on Sunday.
Cyndi says
Best of luck and have a great time in Chicago! Stay Strong (my fav mantra) 🙂
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Cyndi!
vicki says
Hope to see you in Chicago!
kookyrunner says
Yes! Hope to see you!
Lora @ Crazy Running Girl says
WAHOO!!! I’m SO excited for you!!! You are going to CRUSH this!! I’ll be cheering for you from Minneapolis!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for your support Lora!
Ana says
I am so excited for you!! I am sure you will crush it! Just from reading about your training, I know you will rock it!
have an awesome time!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Ana!
Lesley says
Good luck! It’ll be on TV and I’ll be watching!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Lesley!
Kimberly Hatting says
I am SOOO excited for you!!! I’ll be thinking of you all morning 😉 I’d like to track you…have you shared your bib #? Or you can message it to me. Best wishes for a great 26.2!! You said it perfectly…every race is a privilege 😉
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Kim! I will message you my bib number 🙂
Anna @ Pipers Run says
So happy race weekend is here for you. You’ve worked hard. Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Nicole!
Andrea Signor says
Good luck this weekend! Can’t wait to read the post-race follow-up and hear how you crushed your goals (with a smile, of course).
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Andrea!
Debbie says
You’ve been training so hard and so smart that I think you should do great! Praying to the weather gods! Have a great race!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Debbie! I actually feel ready for the race which is helping to keep my anxiety in check!
Rachel says
You’re gonna have an awesome race. I’ll be rooting for you, girl. You’ve got this!!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Rachel! I really appreciate all of your support.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
I am so excited for you!! I hope all of the stars align and you have a great run!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Michelle!
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
I am so excited for you! Good luck, have fun, and cross that finish line with a smile plastered across your beautiful face! I can’t wait to read your recap.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Debbie!
San says
Good luck! Have a great race!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
I’m so sorry that we missed each other over the weekend. I wish that the timing would have worked out better. And keep your head up. It was a hard race for so many people.
kookyrunner says
I hope that we can meet up at a race sometime next year!