2014 Running Goals and trying to balance life and work!
2014 – Trying to get the balance right between life and work
I always get excited about a new year, laden with potential and saturated with new opportunities.
And it is with this in mind that I am, right now, setting myself three goals:
- To run a sub 17-minute 5k in a race (I managed this by one second in a training run, but I can’t be as confident as I’d like to be in the GPS data for the run)
- To run a 10km PB (currently 36:58, done during a longer 10 mile race)
- To encourage more people to take up running as a hobby
There, it’s off my chest, and now…well, now I have to go and do it don’t I?!
I have these first two goals because I am hoping that they will force me into getting faster! Every guy likes a bit of speed don’t they?! By setting these two goals, I’m forcing myself to train more specifically for speed, and I’ll be aiming to achieve the goals at different times of the year.
Let me elaborate on these goals a bit further.
Goal 1: My existing 5k PB is 17:22, and I want to get this under 17 minutes. My 5k PB attempt will, I expect, take place at various parkruns throughout the year, but mainly in the first half of the year. My training runs will include some hard hill work and intervals, km and half km repeats. I’ll also need to get back in to drinking the Matrix protein shakes that helped me to recover better after exercise, and stay strong last year. I ran out and haven’t replaced it yet! One of my ‘to do’ jobs!
Goal 2: The 10k PB attempt will also be tough. I tend to favour longer races as my endurance is probably better than my speed as a runner. However, given family circumstances, I’ve come to realise that my original goals for the year of entering a marathon are just not realistic (because of the training demands involved, and because I would want to do it properly!). Maybe in a few years, when the children are a bit older, I might be able to find more time to spend in the great outdoors.
Goal 3: I’ve been influenced by my friend, Mike Wells, who you can read an interview with, beginning here. Within the space of a year, he’s managed to involve 5 of his work colleagues on weekly (and in some cases, daily!) runs before work, including one guy who has shed about 7 stone!
Now, because of my job and an early start already, I don’t think I’ll be able to do morning runs near work with work colleagues. However, I’m hoping to encourage family members and friends to take up, or try running to help them get, or stay active. Hopefully this time next year, I’ll be able to tell you about the success I’ve had in encouraging others to get into running.
If you have any advice or tips on my goals, or on making/finding time for running in a busy life, I’d love to hear from you!
What running goals, or goals more widely, do you have for 2014?
In the meantime, here’s a bunch of runs I’ve completed so far this year (I’m well on my way to running more than 100km in January!)
http://www.strava.com/activities/106701298 – My most recent run, and my second, more successful attempt to run at a slower pace. A ‘recovery run’ if you will, which takes me up to 71km for 2014 so far!
http://www.strava.com/activities/106337177 – A run I really enjoyed, exploring the local area near work in the dark, and taking in some hills!
http://www.strava.com/activities/106143476 – 10k commute home
http://www.strava.com/activities/105372441 – sub-40 10k en-route to work
http://www.strava.com/activities/105133682 – failed attempt to run slower! Check out my heart rate!
http://www.strava.com/activities/104621216 – 10k commute to work
http://www.strava.com/activities/104413479 – First run of 2014!
http://www.strava.com/activities/103017629 – Tough New Year’s Eve run where I went segment-hunting!
7 comments on “2014 Running Goals and trying to balance life and work!”
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barefoottc 
I completely understand the issue of finding the time. Training for any sort of race or athletic event takes time out of your daily schedule. I will be started my marathon training and I am trying to determine between two jobs when I will get my longer runs in. Luckily, the weekends are somewhat available. Sadly, I am not a morning person so I will not be one of those people who gets up at 5am to run in freezing temps!
Good luck with your marathon training! I’ve already altered my year’s goals now, and will be concentrating on shorter distances in 2014 (5k and 10k) now – more realistic! Yeah, 7am runs are hard enough, but 5am? I’m not crazy either!!
Thanks PNWRunner! Since I originally posted this yesterday, I’ve already re-defined my running goals for the year, to make them more realistic! The marathon will have to wait – the training is just going to be too much at this busy stage of life!
Running goals, sadly, are victims to time constraints and conflicts. They’re also victims of unexpected events. My running goals for 2013 were dashed to pieces when I tore my calf muscles (a grade 2 tear) March 8th. Taking necessary time off to let the injury heal complete completely changed my running year. I was able to finally run a sub-two half marathon again but not until December 7th, 2013! I started my own business in September, which definitely takes up time, so that I ran fewer miles in 2013 than I have run since I started running in 2005. My goal for 2014 is to reach my 50 to 60 miles a week again, run a 50k, and improve my general speed and conditioning; however, we’re expecting our third grandson in two months and I’ll be heavily involved in helping our daughter and her husband with their three boys (the oldest of which turned three years old December 22nd). I’m stubbornly and fiercely holding onto those goals . . . . we’ll see what God has planned for my running and me this year. He may have different goals for me altogether : ) I’ll be watching to see how you fare with your running goals and pulling for you all the way!
Congrats on the sub 2 Half Marathon – awesome achievement!! 50 to 60 miles a week is great running too…I’m getting by on about 20 miles, and even that seems like a push to fit in! So sorry to hear about your injuries. I only had one injury last year, but was so grumpy and impatient waiting for it to heal. That is so great to hear you’re full-on helpers of your daughter with their children. It makes SUCH a difference having people help. I pray that God honours your kindness and ambitions for the year, running or otherwise. Thank you for your support and lovely message of encouragement! 😉
Great post, really helps me put my 2014 goals in perspective. My Fiance and I have a hard time juggling work, family, and exercise as well. She is training for her first 1/2 marathon in March and there is a lot of give and take that goes into allowing her to train properly. Keep up the good work and keep us updated on how the training is coming along.
http://runningschlub.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by Richard! It really is a juggling task of the highest order! Good luck to your wife for her first HM. That’s so exciting, but also demanding in many ways on the whole organisation of life. My wife definitely feels it when I train hard leading up to races! Good luck with your battle to balance the many priorities of life, and I hope you’ll keep reading my blog 😉 Thanks for sending me a link to yours, I’ll look forward to checking it out soon!