Long Term Goals

I’ve been thinking a lot about goals lately.  I know the standard time to unveil and discuss new goals or new ways to achieve goals is the beginning of January, but really, anytime is a good time to talk about goals.  The goals I’ve been thinking of are more long term and far reaching. 

For 2017, I want to go to Hawaii for my birthday.  I will be the big 4-Oh next year!  So, I want to do something special and memorable.  Now, if things play out the way that I think they will, I won’t actually be IN Hawaii on my birthday but will actually be starting my drive back to Texas from Oregon about 3 days after flying back from Hawaii.  I want to run the Honolulu Marathon that happens near or on my birthday (if my birthday is on a Sunday, that is).  Other than that, for 2017 I want to focus more on picking up the pace.  I’d really like to qualify for Boston at some point and in order to do that, I have to put in the work.  So, while I full well plan to start focusing more on structured speedwork this year, I really want to hit the track hard next year and whittle away at that marathon time.

For 2018, I want to run across the Golden Gate Bridge.  I’d also like to do a cruise in 2018.  For the GGB, I will do that on my drive to Oregon.  I will stop and visit some friends I the bay area and also take the opportunity to do a run across the bridge.  I might even make an attempt to “run” up Lombard!  

For 2019, I think I’d really like to do a RunDisney event.  I have to do a lot of thinking about which one, but I do know I want it to be a multi-event where there are 2-3 races done over the course of the weekend.

I do have a goal to run Boston one day, but I’m not really in a hurry to do it.  I will start that work this year and next with the focus on speedwork.  Also, even though my friend I affectionately refer to as my “coach” will think it’s the dumbest idea ever, I want to run as many marathons as possible.  I really do love the distance.  But I am aware that the year I think will be the year that I am able to qualify, I will definitely limit myself to probably just 2 marathons, the Austin and the South Padre Island marathons.  If I’ve done the work, I can qualify at either one. 

What are your long term goals?