Is it okay to be upset about not reaching a goal you didn’t set?

by ~jenniferlynn on October 29, 2013

in Running

Earlier this year, I signed up for my second ever 10k, a St. Patrick’s themed “ShamRock ‘n Roll.” Upon registering for the event, the sponsoring company enticed additional registrants with a promise a “Triple Crown” medal, an honor only for those who completed all three sponsored races.

I like bling. And definitely like extra bling.

My long history of 10ks include the Turkey Trot last November (1:16:09), ShamRock ‘n Roll in March (1:14:22) and Kona Run in June (1:13:17). Since my first half-marathon was only a week ago, I did not set any huge expectations for this race, yet realistically expected a small PR since I feel I have made some improvements in my running and endurance over the past few months.

I went to bed the night before the race a little less than excited. I had set my outfit out on the table and had a hint of happiness knowing if nothing else, at least I would look cute. 😉

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I honestly was only doing this run for the medal. I wasn’t running with anyone else; had no one coming to spectate, and the thrill of a 10k was just not really comparable to how I felt the weekend prior running a half marathon. I had no pre-race anxiety and just felt underwhelmed.

I woke up and the usual pre-run routine. Early breakfast (lately egg whites and sweet potato with a dollop of almond or peanut butter). Got my race outfit on, laced up my shoes, and was out the door.

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It was a chilly 35′ or so when I arrived, so hung out in my car for a bit before meeting up with a fun network of Southeast Michigan runners (check out Sharry, running 40 races this year to celebrate turning 40!).

The race went in two waves: those estimating a 10:00/mile pace or faster pace and then the rest of us. I have yet to reach my goal of a 30 minute 5k so found my place in the back.

I don’t like to check my pace when I run, so just did the same strategy as I did for my half: start slow and pick up speed once it starts to feel better. First mile split: 10:51, about on pace to finish the race in similar time than my prior races.

I continued to run, not feeling great, but not feeling miserable. It was a fun run with many racers and spectators dressed in costume, so even though I was somewhat just there in body, I was enjoying scoping out the outfits people chose to run in! I made it through the first three miles quite comfortably, keeping the 65 minute pacer within eyesight. At one point, I passed the pacer but shifted focus back on the run so had no idea if he continued to stay behind me or if I missed him passing me.

Even though mentally I was a bit over the whole run thing, physically I felt good and before I knew it, I saw mile marker 6, and took off for the finish line, stopping my Runkeeper and collecting my bling. I glanced down at the Runkeeper time and was certain it was inaccurate. This course was the same route as the race I completed in March. And undoubtedly, I have made quite an improvement!

pace comparison

It is so difficult for me to see my progress sometimes until I put numbers side to side in running, lifting, anything. I still would never consider a 10k “easy” or even fairly comfortable, but comparatively, there is such major improvement that I’m anxious to see what else I am capable of doing!

I ended up crossing the finish line with an official time of 1:00:14.

…:14.

Had I even had an inkling that I would be anywhere even remotely close to a sub-hour 10k, man, I can fathom a million and one times along the route that I would have done even slightly different!

But a PR is a PR. A 13 MINUTE PR is quite a bit of a PR considering the distance! Who does that?!

I am absolutely thrilled about the crazy progress I have made over the past year and even though it is hard for me to believe that I am that much better, the numbers don’t lie.

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I have one more race on my list for the year, which will be the first anniversary of my very first 10k at the Turkey Trot. I am really itching for that sub-hour goal..

Your turn..
Have you ever done better than expected in a  race?
Have you ever beat a PR by a significant amount?
Would you sign up for a series of races just for extra bling?

Jacki
Twitter: JackiRHayes
October 29, 2013 at 3:44 pm

Oh, dang. I had a race like that as well. It made it so hard to celebrate the PR. I’m sure you’ll get there the next time and congrats on the incredible improvement.
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Alicia
Twitter: acurls
October 29, 2013 at 3:59 pm

Congrats! You should focus on celebrating that PR because that in itself is HUGE! (and is what you were hoping to do). You’re so close to that sub one hour, you’ll get it next time. So concentrate on that as a new goal to be excited about reaching and enjoy what you just accomplished!! 🙂
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Lindsey October 29, 2013 at 4:32 pm

Wow! Great improvements!! Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck on those few seconds, but you can always do another!

The way I see it…as long as you’re moving in the right direction you’re doing good!
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Kyle Kranz October 29, 2013 at 5:30 pm

NICE PR! Very well done 🙂

I actually did better than expected at my own Halloween run on Saturday. October is my highest volume month in over a year, and I had been a bit fatigued even during the middle of last week. I did not taper for Saturday’s race and had just pr’ed the 5k distance a month prior. I was hoping to win, but was not expecting a 7 second pr!

Did another 5k on the same course, on Monday. Ran the EXACT same time!
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Nj Paleo October 29, 2013 at 5:58 pm

Wow, congratulations on that MASSIVE PR! What great improvement! Now do you still hate running? 🙂

So I ran a half marathon a couple of years ago in Miami. The 70 degree weather and 500% humidity coming from NJ where it was 30 degrees in January made it seem like I’d gone to a sub-tropical region, so after the 5th mile I realized that it was time to stop “racing” and just have fun. Somehow my Garmin got turned off (I probably accidentally pressed a button at a water station) and I didn’t notice for half a mile or so. I had no idea of my time and was just having fun. I crossed the finish line happy. Then later my husband and I went to the results tent and I found I had finished in 2:00:53, one of my slowest finish times. I said something like if I’d known I was that close to 2 hours I would have picked up the pace. My husband wisely responded, “You’re going to let 54 seconds ruin the amazing fun weekend and great race you’ve had?”

You did great — you didn’t hate the race, which is huge, and you had a massive PR only a week after doing a half marathon! That’s AMAZING! Congrats!

Yeah, I’ll run for bling any day!!!! Which reminds me, I have a couple of race reports to post…..

martha84
Twitter: Mychickenbutt
October 29, 2013 at 6:46 pm

That PR – I totally called it. And you have to be really proud. I mean, the numbers definitely don’t lie and the fact that you weren’t even pushing as hard as possible – incredible! You will get that sub 60 at turkey trot. It’s so all in your head! I’m proud of you!!
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Kim October 29, 2013 at 10:17 pm

Wow – great job – huge PR!!!
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Danielle @ Its A Harleyyy Life
Twitter: itsaharleyylife
October 30, 2013 at 7:50 am

that is an AWESOME time! Congrats lady! (:

Kat
Twitter: KatSnF
October 30, 2013 at 1:04 pm

Look at that PROGRESS! You did awesome!
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Nicole
Twitter: mast2mar
October 30, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Love little pace surprises like that! You did great! You seem to be able to get ‘into the zone’ when running, which is awesome! I try to explain what that’s like to people, but they say they just get bored, lol. You totally do it even if you don’t realize, especially with this 10k and half last week 🙂

My fave surprise was my time for my duathlon. So exciting!
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mandy @ fatgirlgonehealthy
Twitter: fatgirlhealthy
October 30, 2013 at 9:12 pm

Congrats on the PR. You have been doing amazing things this year. You should be very proud of yourself. Sometimes it’s hard to see that progress till you see the numbers. They just don’t lie. : )
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Mar @ Mar on the Run! October 30, 2013 at 11:19 pm

YES!!! that is all kinds of awesome 🙂
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Alex @ Alex Tries it Out
Twitter: alex_j_meyer
November 4, 2013 at 3:14 pm

I think almost everyone has a race like that … mine was when I stopped to adjust my armband because I thought it was cutting off the circulation to my arm. Turned out that my arm was just numb from the cold, and I was so mad I wasted that precious time!

I do remember when I took 15 minutes off my half time. The best feeling! Nice job on your race, lady. You’re speedy!
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