One of the things that has been so interesting to me over the eight — yes, eight! — years I’ve been writing this newsletter is how big the world of running is. When I first began writing it each week, I really was only aware of my part of that world: halfs, and road races in cities like mine, in general.
But the reading and research I’ve put into this over the years has opened up whole other worlds for me, and now I see all these amazing things runners can attempt: ultra marathons than run into triple-digit miles, “backyard” races where runners make a loop for hours and hours, staircase races (like the one up the Empire State Building) that seem impossible to me but many people do, etc., etc.
It got me wondering: do you have a “big” goal you’d like to go for with your running, that might seem crazy or out of reach, but nonetheless you can’t let go of, and keeps you going? Is there an inspiration for why you’re doing this that you maybe haven’t told anyone, but motivates you still?
I really think my goal is to be that person who is still running at 80 years old, or 85 years old. After knee injuries, I've changed my mindset, away from PR and towards longevity.
My goal is to stay healthy ... for my wife of almost 48 years. We inspire each other to eat well, exercise and take care of our bodies because we know that they are “one to a customer”!
Good morning all! I’m just getting to this as yesterday, let alone all last week, was a S&*$ show at work😅. As I’m getting closer to 60 I’m transitioning off the roads and more to trails...I just feel different when I’m on a trail in that my pace means nothing to me! The beauty around me sucks me in every time! I certainly go slower and the concentration level is much higher as I really don’t want to trip and fall. I have discovered that I don’t beat myself up as much when I slow to walk on a steep incline. I’d really like to attempt an ultra of some distance but don’t know what that would be just yet. Disclaimer here in that I’ve never run a full marathon. I’ve noticed on the websites and podcasts of the ultra community that it is way friendlier than road races. Everyone helps everyone get through it! The cut off times can be liberal so I believe that with walking/power hiking, I could finish!
With work/career/life needs always getting in the way and trimming my running plans, I have this dream of retiring early to do everything I ever wanted on the running front - run the 50 states, the Athens marathon, and the list goes on...but not sure if I’ll get bored or disappointed with running when there is all the time to do just that :-)
I want to improve my speed but ultimately I find running to be when I feel alive so I want to be able to run as long as possible. Therefore I’m trying to learn how to stretch more and work on strength.
I have had a "big goal" of running 10 marathons in my life, and am gettting ready to run my 7th in October (Marine Corps). I had a horrible run earlier this week, and I was really in the dumps, thinking "this is it, I can't ever sign up for another marathon again!" - but got an email later that night letting me know that I had been selected in the random drawing to run Big Sur in April '24! I laughed out loud, I couldn't believe it. Maybe the universe wants to help me reach my goal? The news got me to thinking. I have always dreamed of running Big Sur, so am taking the opportunity. But I'm 50 now and am working on adjusting my expectations and taking a different approach to training. I want to enjoy running for many more years injury free. Wish me luck! lol
Still be running in 26 years. I’ll be 100. PRs, distances, pace, etc don’t mean anything any more. They did years ago, but it’s all history not to be repeated. Instead, I’m just interested in a healthy life style to get me through the next quarter.
Wow, everyone. Reading through these comments is inspiring. My goal was "run a faster 5k and survive my life" while you people are out here with your "I've got a small goal...I plan to run an ultramarathon in a different state every day of 2024." (I kid, I kid.)
I want to run a marathon again. Was up to 15-16 miles on my training plan a couple of years ago, but work happened. Doing my first 1/2 in several years on Sunday. Pretty pumped for it!
I am 52 years old and have never been in good shape in my life - until now. I've lost 155 lbs in the last 16 or 17 months, and during that period I've also been working out and getting in shape. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in my life. I found in June that I could run, and over the past few months developed a joy and maybe even a passion for it (though I'm still very much a newbie - still learning and testing my limits). I'm running my first competitive half-marathon in December. I say "competitive" but I'm not worried about competing - I'm just trying to finish. On Labor Day, I decided to see: could I actually do it? And I did. I ran 13.1 and finished one on my own, running around the neighborhoods in my little city.
So my first big goal is to run a decent half-marathon. I never thought I'd ever be able to do that in my life. I've always been fairly sedentary. Even running a 5K seemed out of reach (I'm running one of those next month). But knowing I can do a half-marathon makes me think: maybe I can do more? I want to keep running.
That was a very long-winded way to say I think I'd like to see if I could handle a full marathon before I get too old to do it. I'm almost afraid to say it out loud, and I'm not 100% sure I'm committed to it yet, but it's one of the things that drives me. It's a weird thing for me, as someone who has struggled with weight and physical stuff my whole life. This stuff gets very emotional for me. There are times on long runs when I get emotional just because I can do this stuff I couldn't do before.
Sorry if that sounds silly or weird - but it's been a long journey for me, and I'm grateful to be able to do this.
Hi all! Running my most likely last marathon in Berlin on 9/24. My goals after that will be a half or two in the Fall and a small race every month (5k or 4m).
I set smaller goals each year, like run in at least two half marathons, as well as a bigger, yearly mileage goal. The smaller goals are fun to work towards. The bigger yearly mile goal keeps me going all year and pushes me to reach it.
I am 63 and have set a goal to complete a Half in all 50 states (51 including DC) by the time I am 70. I have completed 20 states so far; 2 more registered for this year and 2 registered for (so far) in early 2024. I have completed a total of 40+ Halfs, and when I complete the next 31 it will push me close to 75 total Halfs. If I overachieve the objective (finish before 70), then maybe I will set me sites on completing 100 Halfs....but for now, I will take it one Half at a time.
Hi!! Terell, thank you for this wonderful space. :)
A commitment to keeping this body moving and my mind clear is huge motivation. There is nothing like running for these goals.
And if I am honest ... I'd love to finish all six Abbott marathons - I have done one so far and have one planned for May. And then? Maybe an ultra? Or maybe not! I just love that running can have different shapes and seasons.
Achieve 10k running fitness by end of 2023 for my 76 year old body and my much younger mind, heart and Soul. Maintain this fitness level until my body can no longer run but then continue to run/ walk until I can only walk. Walk daily until ...♥️👣♥️
I have cut back to doing no more than half-marathons, and am turning 70 in December, and I hope to do ONE more full Marathon in February. That is the LAST one, and no regrets! I never would have imagined when I did my first one at age 25 that I would still be blessed to be able to run 45 years later.
What I always love about running is that it’s so personalised! These answers are great. I had an old running career, let’s call it, at uni and in my twenties. Wasn’t training all that much for ten years then planned to enter the masters segments starting with a half in October. Well in March I got the first stress fracture of my life but it was a blessing in disguise. I worked with a great holistic doctor and really worked on the whole body vs site of injury. Something I hadn’t done to such extent since college. So, I’ve only just started again after 6 months but I love it more than ever and happy to just do a few Kms at a time for the moment. My goal will just be gradually increasing without getting too competitive, cause that’s my hamstring, and increasing enough that I can do some fun training runs with my friend who went from 800m to ultras during the pandemic and wants to show me some great spots.
With injury setbacks and just tired of running, I set two (2) goal's this year. Sign up to run a 10K race every month and run at least one (1) mile a day. I'm not running a mile a day; but, I'm running at least 3 times a week. We're now in October and so far I've hit my monthly 10K goal. Not sure what my goal will be for next year. Maybe monthly 15K race's but those are hard to find locally. I've signed up for the OKCity Half in 2024 and I have my eye on Pikes Peak Ultra in July 2024. Not sure which distance though; 20K or 30K. I'm leaning towards the 30K. YIKES!!! Do I dare? HAHAHA
my current goal is to get over this injury that doesn't seem to be getting better with rest.. But definitely my goal would be to run into my 60s.. My next goal is to recover all the way to the Marathon distance.. I want to do it even if once..
My goal until my kids are a little bit older is to maintain half shape through 2024, do a half at least quarterly over the next year, and get a little faster (under 2 hours is the bar for me!). But I’ve definitely caught the ultra bug watching livestreams of Hardrock and UTMB this year (which I HIGHLY recommend!). If I stay consistent, 2025 would be the year to start looking at the 30k to marathon length trail races. My dream race is the San Juan Solstice 50 Miler out of Lake City, CO 😅
Yes! This weekend is the big one. Tomorrow I am running the Cascade Express Half Marathon here in Washington up in the mountains and then Sunday I will be participating in a Spartan obstacle race. I have never done a double header weekend before and am a bit concerned about how dead my legs will be Sunday. I think a hot tub session + a massage will be in order Saturday afternoon.
This is a nice challenge as the season winds down. You don't know what your limitations are until you push them right?
Assuming I don't get injured (fingers crossed) I'm cautiously optimisitic that I'm doing the Marine Corps 50K next month. If all goes well I'd like to do the JFK 50-miler next year or the year after. I heard an interesting podcast about it -- it's basically the world's oldest ultra that was created as a hike in the 60s as part of a move to promote physical fitness to combat communism, which I think is funny and I like the history of the race which many people do as their only ultra race.
I turn 50 in 3.5 years so if not next year, I'd really like to run a 50 miler before or during that year. So it's part aging (I'd like to accomplish it as part of an age milestorne), part I like the idea of these longer races as more about pushing yourself mentally and physically and less about speed.
I am running a half in all 50 states* which means as long as it starts, goes through, or ends in a state it counts. I'll be at state 25 by year's end and will be complete in 5 years. My wooden plaque though reminded me it'll be "51" as they included Washington, D.C. lol.
I was like you thinking just CA, but at 48 I was like nope, get out there and let's do this. I'm 54 now and would be closer to the gol but the pandemic slowed that a bit.
P.S. See you in Richmond! 😃
I really think my goal is to be that person who is still running at 80 years old, or 85 years old. After knee injuries, I've changed my mindset, away from PR and towards longevity.
I hope so thank you
My goal is to stay healthy ... for my wife of almost 48 years. We inspire each other to eat well, exercise and take care of our bodies because we know that they are “one to a customer”!
Good morning all! I’m just getting to this as yesterday, let alone all last week, was a S&*$ show at work😅. As I’m getting closer to 60 I’m transitioning off the roads and more to trails...I just feel different when I’m on a trail in that my pace means nothing to me! The beauty around me sucks me in every time! I certainly go slower and the concentration level is much higher as I really don’t want to trip and fall. I have discovered that I don’t beat myself up as much when I slow to walk on a steep incline. I’d really like to attempt an ultra of some distance but don’t know what that would be just yet. Disclaimer here in that I’ve never run a full marathon. I’ve noticed on the websites and podcasts of the ultra community that it is way friendlier than road races. Everyone helps everyone get through it! The cut off times can be liberal so I believe that with walking/power hiking, I could finish!
With work/career/life needs always getting in the way and trimming my running plans, I have this dream of retiring early to do everything I ever wanted on the running front - run the 50 states, the Athens marathon, and the list goes on...but not sure if I’ll get bored or disappointed with running when there is all the time to do just that :-)
I want to improve my speed but ultimately I find running to be when I feel alive so I want to be able to run as long as possible. Therefore I’m trying to learn how to stretch more and work on strength.
I have had a "big goal" of running 10 marathons in my life, and am gettting ready to run my 7th in October (Marine Corps). I had a horrible run earlier this week, and I was really in the dumps, thinking "this is it, I can't ever sign up for another marathon again!" - but got an email later that night letting me know that I had been selected in the random drawing to run Big Sur in April '24! I laughed out loud, I couldn't believe it. Maybe the universe wants to help me reach my goal? The news got me to thinking. I have always dreamed of running Big Sur, so am taking the opportunity. But I'm 50 now and am working on adjusting my expectations and taking a different approach to training. I want to enjoy running for many more years injury free. Wish me luck! lol
Still be running in 26 years. I’ll be 100. PRs, distances, pace, etc don’t mean anything any more. They did years ago, but it’s all history not to be repeated. Instead, I’m just interested in a healthy life style to get me through the next quarter.
I would really like to BQ and do an ultra
Wow, everyone. Reading through these comments is inspiring. My goal was "run a faster 5k and survive my life" while you people are out here with your "I've got a small goal...I plan to run an ultramarathon in a different state every day of 2024." (I kid, I kid.)
London Marathon
I want to run a marathon again. Was up to 15-16 miles on my training plan a couple of years ago, but work happened. Doing my first 1/2 in several years on Sunday. Pretty pumped for it!
I am 52 years old and have never been in good shape in my life - until now. I've lost 155 lbs in the last 16 or 17 months, and during that period I've also been working out and getting in shape. I'm in the best shape I've ever been in my life. I found in June that I could run, and over the past few months developed a joy and maybe even a passion for it (though I'm still very much a newbie - still learning and testing my limits). I'm running my first competitive half-marathon in December. I say "competitive" but I'm not worried about competing - I'm just trying to finish. On Labor Day, I decided to see: could I actually do it? And I did. I ran 13.1 and finished one on my own, running around the neighborhoods in my little city.
So my first big goal is to run a decent half-marathon. I never thought I'd ever be able to do that in my life. I've always been fairly sedentary. Even running a 5K seemed out of reach (I'm running one of those next month). But knowing I can do a half-marathon makes me think: maybe I can do more? I want to keep running.
That was a very long-winded way to say I think I'd like to see if I could handle a full marathon before I get too old to do it. I'm almost afraid to say it out loud, and I'm not 100% sure I'm committed to it yet, but it's one of the things that drives me. It's a weird thing for me, as someone who has struggled with weight and physical stuff my whole life. This stuff gets very emotional for me. There are times on long runs when I get emotional just because I can do this stuff I couldn't do before.
Sorry if that sounds silly or weird - but it's been a long journey for me, and I'm grateful to be able to do this.
Hi all! Running my most likely last marathon in Berlin on 9/24. My goals after that will be a half or two in the Fall and a small race every month (5k or 4m).
I set smaller goals each year, like run in at least two half marathons, as well as a bigger, yearly mileage goal. The smaller goals are fun to work towards. The bigger yearly mile goal keeps me going all year and pushes me to reach it.
I am 63 and have set a goal to complete a Half in all 50 states (51 including DC) by the time I am 70. I have completed 20 states so far; 2 more registered for this year and 2 registered for (so far) in early 2024. I have completed a total of 40+ Halfs, and when I complete the next 31 it will push me close to 75 total Halfs. If I overachieve the objective (finish before 70), then maybe I will set me sites on completing 100 Halfs....but for now, I will take it one Half at a time.
Hi!! Terell, thank you for this wonderful space. :)
A commitment to keeping this body moving and my mind clear is huge motivation. There is nothing like running for these goals.
And if I am honest ... I'd love to finish all six Abbott marathons - I have done one so far and have one planned for May. And then? Maybe an ultra? Or maybe not! I just love that running can have different shapes and seasons.
Achieve 10k running fitness by end of 2023 for my 76 year old body and my much younger mind, heart and Soul. Maintain this fitness level until my body can no longer run but then continue to run/ walk until I can only walk. Walk daily until ...♥️👣♥️
I have cut back to doing no more than half-marathons, and am turning 70 in December, and I hope to do ONE more full Marathon in February. That is the LAST one, and no regrets! I never would have imagined when I did my first one at age 25 that I would still be blessed to be able to run 45 years later.
What I always love about running is that it’s so personalised! These answers are great. I had an old running career, let’s call it, at uni and in my twenties. Wasn’t training all that much for ten years then planned to enter the masters segments starting with a half in October. Well in March I got the first stress fracture of my life but it was a blessing in disguise. I worked with a great holistic doctor and really worked on the whole body vs site of injury. Something I hadn’t done to such extent since college. So, I’ve only just started again after 6 months but I love it more than ever and happy to just do a few Kms at a time for the moment. My goal will just be gradually increasing without getting too competitive, cause that’s my hamstring, and increasing enough that I can do some fun training runs with my friend who went from 800m to ultras during the pandemic and wants to show me some great spots.
With injury setbacks and just tired of running, I set two (2) goal's this year. Sign up to run a 10K race every month and run at least one (1) mile a day. I'm not running a mile a day; but, I'm running at least 3 times a week. We're now in October and so far I've hit my monthly 10K goal. Not sure what my goal will be for next year. Maybe monthly 15K race's but those are hard to find locally. I've signed up for the OKCity Half in 2024 and I have my eye on Pikes Peak Ultra in July 2024. Not sure which distance though; 20K or 30K. I'm leaning towards the 30K. YIKES!!! Do I dare? HAHAHA
my current goal is to get over this injury that doesn't seem to be getting better with rest.. But definitely my goal would be to run into my 60s.. My next goal is to recover all the way to the Marathon distance.. I want to do it even if once..
My goal until my kids are a little bit older is to maintain half shape through 2024, do a half at least quarterly over the next year, and get a little faster (under 2 hours is the bar for me!). But I’ve definitely caught the ultra bug watching livestreams of Hardrock and UTMB this year (which I HIGHLY recommend!). If I stay consistent, 2025 would be the year to start looking at the 30k to marathon length trail races. My dream race is the San Juan Solstice 50 Miler out of Lake City, CO 😅
Yes! This weekend is the big one. Tomorrow I am running the Cascade Express Half Marathon here in Washington up in the mountains and then Sunday I will be participating in a Spartan obstacle race. I have never done a double header weekend before and am a bit concerned about how dead my legs will be Sunday. I think a hot tub session + a massage will be in order Saturday afternoon.
This is a nice challenge as the season winds down. You don't know what your limitations are until you push them right?
Assuming I don't get injured (fingers crossed) I'm cautiously optimisitic that I'm doing the Marine Corps 50K next month. If all goes well I'd like to do the JFK 50-miler next year or the year after. I heard an interesting podcast about it -- it's basically the world's oldest ultra that was created as a hike in the 60s as part of a move to promote physical fitness to combat communism, which I think is funny and I like the history of the race which many people do as their only ultra race.
I turn 50 in 3.5 years so if not next year, I'd really like to run a 50 miler before or during that year. So it's part aging (I'd like to accomplish it as part of an age milestorne), part I like the idea of these longer races as more about pushing yourself mentally and physically and less about speed.
50K in 2025
I am running a half in all 50 states* which means as long as it starts, goes through, or ends in a state it counts. I'll be at state 25 by year's end and will be complete in 5 years. My wooden plaque though reminded me it'll be "51" as they included Washington, D.C. lol.
I was like you thinking just CA, but at 48 I was like nope, get out there and let's do this. I'm 54 now and would be closer to the gol but the pandemic slowed that a bit.
Happy Friday!