Tip for the week - Race Objectives

Races can be a fantastic way to focus and motivate us. However, do ensure that your goal for an event is realistic - you need to ensure that you can achieve it. I was watching Eddie Izzard Marathon Man - and what struck me was that the goal was bonkers (43 marathons with 2 weeks training??). He did keep the bigger goal in mind all the way through - supporting Sport Relief - but I still don't understand how he completed the runs. Hugely inspiring though - he was incredible.

The first time you do a distance in a race (e.g. 5K, 10K), a great goal is to complete it. Focus on that single objective and don't be tempted to add others into the mix - even if sponsors ask. Completing the race will be a fantastic achievement - you don't need any added pressure.

The next time you do that distance, you might want to add in a time target. However, do your research before declaring your goal to friends and/or sponsors! Is it a tougher course than your first one? Can you see a list of previous times (often on the event's website)? Has anyone you run with done the event - and if so, what was their time? How is your training and fitness compared to when you did your first race? A good goal to declare to sponsors is to beat your previous time - without specifying by how much! A good goal to hold in your mind is your best training time - try to match/beat it on race day.

Finally, recognise that there are other factors that may influence your ability to achieve your goal. A chest infection or an injury can set training back. Have you got the time to actually do the training required to meet your objective? If problems happen, it can help to think back to the conversations you've had with friends or family - how many times have you heard "3 miles??? I couldn't run 1....". Completing any event is a really impressive achievement.