Austin Goals

I’m running the Austin Half Marathon tomorrow. It seems like this race came out of nowhere! (My last race was only 3 weeks ago. Maybe that has something to do with it.) With the race so near, it’s time to write out some goals. Here’s what I got:

1. Finish in under 2:00. This is a pretty lofty goal. I don’t see myself as a sub-2:00 runner, but I’ve exceeded my expectations in two recent races (NYD & Texas Half), so I don’t want to sell myself short. I’m going to aim for under two hours, but I’ll be happy with anything under 2:10.

2. Run smart. This is a big race, and sometimes crowds and lots of runners can throw me off my game. Instead, I need to run it like I’ve trained. Hydration, Gu, and walk breaks need to occur at the usual time, and I can’t start out too fast. (<– That will be my primary challenge!)

3. Stay positive on the hills. According to the elevation map and fellow runners, this course is a beast. I know that physically I can handle the hills. The trick for me to stay in a good head space when I’m on them.

4. Have fun with my mom! My mom is going to walk the race, so we’ll be driving to Austin together. I foresee lots of mother daughter bonding. I know this is an easy goal, but every list of goals needs at least one easy one.

I think these are all achievable. I’m crossing my fingers that I can make ‘em happen! I plan to briefly pop in tomorrow to let y’all know how it went. Catch you on the flip side!*