• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fitness Fatale

Fitness Fatale

Conquering Fitness Goals One at a Time

  • About
    • Press
  • Blog
    • Archives
    • Workout Program Options
      • 21 Day Fix Resources
      • P90X Resources
    • PRs & Race Reports
    • Pregnancy
      • Twin Pregnancy
    • Recipes
  • Coach Business Mentorship For Runners
  • Beachbody Accountability Groups For Runners
  • Show Search
Hide Search

How Do You Measure Success in Running? (Reflection on 2017 Goals)

does a BQ define success in running

As I started writing the recap of my 2017 goals, I had an ah-ha moment (and this is a big one for this Type-A runner): Success in running isn’t always about the time on the clock. Most of us aren’t getting paid to run – so why do we run!? So that we can send everyone we know our Athlinks profile and proudly announce our PRs to anyone who mentions running? No. Most of us run because we enjoy improving ourselves, we genuinely enjoy running, we like the way it makes us feel and we like the learning process of training for a race. Or, that’s how running fulfills me. So why do I measure my success as a runner on exactly how fast I can get to point A to point B on ONE day of the year?

All of my 2017 fitness goals revolved around setting a personal best at the marathon, specifically at Mountains 2 Beach (which would most likely qualify me for the Boston Marathon given that my PR is only 27 seconds off of a BQ). Even though I wanted to PR at M2B, I knew we were going to try for Baby #2 (which trend out to be baby #2 and 3) so even if I were to qualify for Boston, I wouldn’t be running it anyway. I knew I’d have to try again, but I still wanted to give M2B my best effort and I knew that training with my coach Jim and the Seaside Striders would give me a great shot at getting fit enough to do it. But regardless of all that, I still really, really wanted to PR.

BQ on a downhill course
Mountains 2 Beach Marathon

That being said, my 2017 fitness goals were:

  1. Set a PR (sub 3:35:27) at the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon. This was the Number one goal. I missed this goal, running a 3:42 and realizing later that day that I was fighting a stomach flu during the race.
  2. Strength train, including at least one leg specific workout, three times per week (this will be all Beachbody programs). I didn’t track this but I did consistency strength train for all of 2017. There were weeks when I got in more than 3 workouts and other weeks when it was less, but overall, I was super consistent.
  3. Foam roll and stretch at least twice a week. Definitely did not do this all year but I did do quite a bit of stretching and foam rolling during M2B training.
  4. Schedule recovery into my weekend to allow myself to recover from long runs (i.e. don’t plan a million activities and schedule a nap or at least couch time!). Because Siena takes nice long naps every afternoon, I did get more napping in during marathon training this cycle, though I remember having a crazy month during peak training where I had a lot of showers and parties.
  5. Fuel my body with healthy foods, especially after tough workouts and long runs. Don’t use hard workouts as an excuse to eat low quality foods (though some on occasion are totally fine!). I did a good job at this during marathon training (besides date nights where I ate half a large pizza practically every Thursday). Often, on Wednesdays I’d make something healthy in the crockpot so I could eat it when I got back from my tough speed workout sessions around 8-8:30 PM (this enchilada turkey quinoa recipe is a fav!). One I got pregnant, this went out the door because I was so nauseous and all that sounded good was processed white carbs! Ah well.

Overall, I’m really happy with how my marathon training went and I’m very proud of it. Although I didn’t achieve my goal at the race, my training cycle was the best I’d ever had and I improved my fitness significantly and learned a lot along the way. I learned that hills can be fun, I discovered a ton of new trail running routes in San Diego, made a lot of new running friends through the Seaside Striders running group, ran my highest mileage week ever, and enjoyed the entire process. For that, I’d say it was a win!

mileage during marathon training

Although as runners we often get caught up in our times and the numbers, it’s truly about the journey. If you’re learning, improving, and having fun along the way, then I’d say you had a successful training cycle no matter what the race result. And that doesn’t even mean you have to be improving time-wise; you could be improving in other aspects such as mental health or fitness. Thinking about running in this way makes it fun no matter what your current situation – whether you’re pregnant like I am, getting older and no longer able to hit paces you once were or are getting back into running after a break – you can still feel proud of where you’re at in your journey at the moment. It’s not all about the numbers.

the week of a marathon
Seaside Striders Running Club

Does that mean I’m giving up on my Boston Qualifying goal? Definitely not – I’ll be out there shooting for a sub 3:35 again (even though my qualifying time is now 3:40), but what I’ve learned is that that number on the clock doesn’t define me as a runner and I won’t let it ever again.

How did your 2017 goals go? How do you personally measure your own success in running?

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

December 30, 2017 By fitnessfatale 1 Comment

Filed Under: Running Tagged With: 2017 goals recap, boston qualifying time, dealing with a disappointing race, mountains 2 beach marathon

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna

    December 31, 2017 at 1:42 pm

    Nicole, this is a great post!! Like you, I’ve come to realize that times and PRs do not define me as a runner. 2017 was all about about a comeback from a bad injury (sprained and fractured ankle playing tennis) in late 2016 and major surgery, plus over 3 months off running early in 2017. I did 2 races, both 5ks, in 2017, and if I had let those race times define me, I wouldn’t be running anymore. It was truly about missing running and discovering how much fun the journey of improving is. Your blog has motivated me and given me some great resources in this process. Thanks for sharing your running and fitness journey, and Happy New Year!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Get Stronger, Healthier & Faster Together!

I am specialize in working with runners to help them incorporate strength training & nutrition into their running routines.

I am passionate about mindset and love to help people find more joy and success in their running by breaking through mental barriers.

While weight loss is a result of our programs, women in my groups often find that they are running faster, are less injury prone, and have more energy and confidence!

I am the founder of Team Run the World, a group of BODi coaches who love running! I provide mentorship, support and training for women who want to start their own coaching business from home and work flexible hours.

I would love to help support you in reaching your goals!

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011

Footer

Copyright © 2023 · Fitness Fatale

 

Loading Comments...