I’m not sure why or how I made the decision to break the four-hour mark in my first marathon. Perhaps I was inspired by a friend’s accomplishment or thought it was within reach given my performance in a half marathon. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. Overexerting myself early on led to a miserable finish with lots of walking.
Setting a time goal for a first marathon is often advised against, with many suggesting simply aiming to finish the race. Even seasoned marathoners can struggle to set a goal that is challenging yet achievable without the guidance of a coach. However, time goals are not the only type of goal to consider, and they should not be arbitrary.
According to sports psychologist and marathoner Emily Saul, setting a goal helps to focus and motivate us. Time goals should be realistic based on our current fitness and potential growth over the course of training. Instead of picking a goal based on external standards, it should align with our individual abilities. It’s essential to consider past race experiences, course conditions, and training time when setting a new goal.
For first-time marathoners, the process can be even more challenging. Running a half marathon first can provide valuable insights into current fitness levels, but simply doubling the time is not a reliable predictor. However, it’s still appropriate to have a time goal for a first marathon, according to coach and professional runner Kaitlin Gregg Goodman, who advises setting multiple goals to accommodate different scenarios.
Additionally, it’s crucial to be open to adjusting goals during the training cycle if necessary, as consistent performance issues could signal the need for a change. Furthermore, focusing solely on outcome-based time goals can be counterproductive, which is why setting process-based and experiential goals is recommended.
Lastly, running a marathon without a time goal is completely acceptable and may be more suitable based on individual circumstances or preferences. Outcome goals that do not revolve around a specific time are also valid and meaningful. Ultimately, the most important aspect is to have a goal that is motivating and purposeful.
