Saturday, January 1, 2011

2011 Goals and Plan

I've been thinking about my plan for 2011 in terms of running and fitness for quite some time. First, I needed to figure out where to focus and determined there were three possible general areas I could try to focus on:

1. Try to get faster in particular distances
2. Try to go longer
3. Try something completely different

I'm not that overly concerned about speed. Sure, I want to get better, but nothing too crazy. I could try to go longer, but obviously need to be realistic about what I'd be capable of at this point. I'm quite happy with running so I don't want to switch - maybe just branch out a bit. Therefore, I decide to combine all three and make goals to accomplish all of the above - all while remaining injury free and enjoying every bit of it, of course!

With that, my goals for 2011:

1. Run 1500 miles
2. Run a half marathon under 2 hours
3. Run a marathon faster than my first (under 4:42)
4. Complete an ultra
5. Superficial goal: Get to a point where I'm comfortable enough with my body to run in just a sports bra & shorts.

The plan so far:

January - Snowflake Chase 5 mile. Repeat and already registered.

February - ??

March - Chambersburg Half Marathon. Repeat, registered and will go for 2 hours.

April -

Race for the Birds - 7.7 mile trail run and CVRT 15K

Both new to me. April was supposed to include another marathon - Mountain Maryland - but it was cancelled just a couple of weeks ago. Yes, I was going to be crazy and attempt two marathons close together, but it wasn't in the cards...guess I'll play it smart this way.

May - Pittsburgh Marathon. Registered - goal to have better time than my first marathon.

June - some sort of 5K/10K?

July - some sort of 5K/10K?

August - Ausherman 5 mile, repeat

September - some sort of half marathon or equivalent.

October - Bald Eagle Megatransect - registered! I was waiting for registration to open on this before listing my goals. This is a 25+ ultra-hike. Considered an ultra-hike due to many areas that are basically impossible to even try to run.

Fire on the Mountain 50K - hopefully.

November - ?

December - ?

24 comments:

  1. Good luck with all your goals! I know you'll PR in your marathon. Can't wait to see how you do in all your races :)

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  2. Ahh I'm tempted with the idea of an ultra, too! Might have to wait another year though... you're going to be great!

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  3. More power to you on the ultra!!! You are too awesome for me!

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  4. Looks like very good goals to me. I'm very impressed with the 50k race! You go girl!!

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  5. Whoa! I am blown away by your goals! I can't wait to follow your training and accomplishments this year!

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  6. Good luck, and Happy New Year!

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  7. Good job on thoughtfully considering your goals! Happy new year and I look forward to following your journey!

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  8. Those are some great goals!! And it looks like you have some amazing races coming up this year :) Good luck and Happy New Year!!

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  9. Wow on the ultra Abbi, that is so cool. Will love following your journey this year.

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  10. you are so far ahead of me. i haven't even figured out what i need to get done tomorrow to be ready for school on monday...let alone what i want to do the rest of the year!

    good work and way to stretch yourself both with speed and distance!

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  11. You've got some great goals here. Good luck!

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  12. Live in New Orleans...you'll be in a bra and shorts in NO TIME, lol!

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  13. I think your superficial goal is awesome - I would love to meet that goal too :)

    You have big racing plans this year! I love it!! My major racing plan for this year is to run a half in under 2 hours and *maybe* do another marathon. I haven't found one that works great for me yet, though!

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  14. I like the ultra goal. I'm thinking that for 2012, I have a long way to go to build mileage. Good luck in 2011!

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  15. I love your goals for 2011 and look forward to see you accomplish them.

    Happy New Year Abbi!

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  16. Great goals and I LOVE and SHARE number 5. Summer 2011, I want to be training in a sports bra!

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  17. wow, an ultra?!? You can totally do it. Happy New Year Abbi! :)

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  18. I find the idea of doing an ultra very tempting too.

    Your line up of races and your goals look great!

    Happy New Year!

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  19. Oh wow - what an impressive and challenging set of goals. Can't wait to follow along! My only running goal for 2011 is to run a sub-2 hour 1/2. Hopefully in May. We'll see!

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  20. Great goals, Abbi! Looking forward to 2011. :)

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  21. Good luck with your goals! looking forward to 20111

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  22. Ultras are tempting to me too... That would be awesome! LOL at goal #5. In my dreams! I'll have to live through you on that one.

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  23. You have some great goals in play for 2011! You also have a great racing schedule to look forward too:) After I finish my second marathon...I will think about a 50 miler....maybe...we will see:)

    Good luck to you!

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  24. I acutally need to do some of the things you have already done, like clean out my "following" list. I am trying to limit things and to be honest, I blog for me and for my family to know me in a deeper way, and to inspire and be inspired. I have dozen of blogs that I read that don't read me. They have to go because there are blogs I read that I don't even follow because I don't want to add anything new until I clear out the old.
    Anyway, I see you are planning Fire on the mountain. It remains my favorite trail 50k. If they hold it again it is a must do! You asked what races I am looking at, I am registered for the HAT Run (March 19th) and Seneca Greenway (March 5th). Seneca is a great first 50k. It is a nice trail run, no pressure, fun race. Known for fast times. Think about it. We could do it together! I am looking at doing the Bull Run Run April 9th as my first 50 miler. My family hasn't been briefed about this yet so I will have to see if I can get them on board (them being my husband). Let me know what you think about the race. (The HAT is full)

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