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Setting Goals

As we push towards spring and the marathon season, I like to focus and plan on what my goals are for the upcoming year. I set around 4 or 5 main goals and put the necessary plans in place to make sure these happen. This can be anything from submitting a race entry form, working out a training schedule or sorting out the travel / accommodation arrangements.

These “core events” form the mainstay of my running year. I ensure that nothing (barring death) can jeopardise my taking part in these and I have managed (thus far) to keep to this level of commitment.
To my core events, I add others throughout the year. These may be races that others have recommended, I have read / heard about, or ones that are taking place in the local area I am working in at the time.

I find that this combination of well defined goals mixed with a variable race programme keeps me motivated each year and enriches my running experience. When my running fire is dwindling, I have other ways to reignite the flame. My top 5 ways to remain on track and get inspired are:

1) New kit / shoes – Nothing beats running on fresh new rubber. I probably average a new pair every 3 months (c500 miles). Stepping out in a new running vest and shorts is the runner’s equivalent of a new party outfit.

2) A fresh challenge – Look for a new challenge (it doesn’t have to be a road race). Last year I took part in the UK Microsoft Challenge, a 5 day adventure race set in Stirling, Scotland and loved training for and taking part in this multi-disciplined event.

3) Getting it from others – I have amassed a pretty large library of running books over the years and dip into these frequently for inspiration. Favourites include Ultramarathon man by Dean Karnazes and Running through the wall by Neal Jamison. I also find Sir Ranulph Fiennes Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know very inspirational.

4) Doing the robot – Turn off the alarm, get straight out of bed, put on your running kit (left out the night before) and head straight out the door. By the time you brain has caught up with your body, it’s too late to think about having that extra hour in bed.

5) Taking stock – Every once in a while take a look back and be proud of your successes and remember to learn from your failures.

My next event is the Greenwich Meridian 2K on Sunday 1 March 2009. I am running this with my wife and 5 year old son Alfie. My goal – Simply to enjoy the day and help Alfie to enjoy his first organized running event (by being the fastest 5 year old!).

On 15th March 2009 I am doing the Sevenoaks 10K, which will be my first “proper” pre-London training event, where I hope to get a good idea of how my speed training has been going. I placed 26th out of 300 here in 2007 and so a top 20 finish should be a good indicator that I am running well.