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

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. 😉

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.

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!

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.

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?