I am a runner with a highly ambitious goal. I was not born “fast” – I ran my first marathon [2004] in 4:17 (elite women can run around 2:20 to 2:30). Nor was I born with endurance – I thought I was going to DIE in my first ever 5k race [2002], which I walked/ran and finished in about 36 minutes.
But I was born determined.
My goal? To run a marathon in under 3:21 (according to renowned run coach Jack Daniels pace charts – my half marathon time predicts that this is a realistic goal for me). Seeing as my best marathon is currently 3:30:31 and I’ve worked extremely hard to get to this level, I know it’ll be a challenge. However… It’s a challenge I’m 100% up for.
Training Run – Summer 2014
I’ve actually attempted this particular goal a few times already in the past few years. Sometimes I have the help of a coach, sometimes I go it alone. Each round is slightly different – or sometimes very different – from other training cycles. Sometimes it feels like an attainable goal and sometimes it feels utterly impossible. But for now, I cannot give up – I still believe I can eventually run my sub 3:21 marahton.
BMO Marathon, May 2012 – 3:33:24
This blog began when I decided to document 4 months of intensive training (January to May 2012) leading up to the May 6, 2012 Vancouver BMO marathon, the race I had decided to run in hopes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Having run for 9 years already and completing 9 marathons along the way where I could not for the life of me break 4 hours, I’d never come close to qualifying for Boston (which required a 3 hour and 35 minute marathon).
So I dramatically upped my training… Changed my diet (and thus was born Eat 2 Run Sports Nutrition)… Blogged about it along the way… And then, within the span of 4 months, I did it.
On May 6, 2012 I ran a 3:33:24 marathon and qualified for Boston!
What I didn’t anticipate when I began my journey in January 2012 was how intensely I’d love this much mileage. I guess you could say I’m addicted – to running, to getting PB’s, to feeling like I am capable of anything I set my mind to.
Revel Canyon City Marathon, November 2014 – 3:30:31
So I continue to see how far I can go. How good can I get. How much more speed I have in me.
I set loftier goals and I become more serious.
But I’m having more fun with it too. Otherwise this would never work.
You have to love it, otherwise it’s just not going to happen… I’m learning.
More recently I’ve also begun playing with longer distances – ultra marathons (defined as anything longer than the marathon distance).
First came a 55k race, then a 50 miler, and a 24-hour run, and then finally a 100-miler. I’m hooked. I love speed, but I also love distance.
You’ll see lots more of both from me… Speed and distance. I’ll always be pushing my limits.
Mountain Lakes 100 Mile, September 2016 – 27:34:55
“You can achieve anything you want in life, if you have the courage to dream it, the intelligence to make a realistic plan, and the will to see that plan through to the end.” -Sidney A. Friedman
“It comes down to how much you want it.” -Unknown
RunFasterSarah (my running adventures) 