My goal for the fall of 2020!

Two weeks ago when I wrote my last post I shared some updates in my life and also shared that I had a new goal I wanted to attack and I needed to wait for my coaches blessing before I shared it with the world. A few of you asked me what that goal was so now I am sharing it with all of you because I believe that if you put it out into the universe, there is no going back and you have to work as hard as you can to try and achieve it.

Like so many of you, I am sure, many of my races have been cancelled or changed to virtual events. I have participated in three virtual races so far. And as much as it is fun to change up your training and do a virtual race, I miss the excitement of being around other competitors, hearing the crowds along the course, reading the signs of encouragement that make me laugh so often, and seeing your time as you cross the finish line.

This summer I was scheduled to complete four triathlons, two sprints, an Olympic distance, and the Tupper Lake Tinman 70.3. As of today, two of the four have officially cancelled in person races and I have decided to defer those until 2021. On June 27 I was scheduled to complete the Tupper Lake Tinman. I completed the race last year and I loved the course and the event! Last year I had a great time but I wanted to go back stronger and ready to attack the course. When they announced the event would be cancelled due to Covid 19, they offered each participant the option of doing a virtual race or deferring their entry until 2021. I decided I couldn't do this one virtually and deferred my entry.

As soon as they cancelled this race I decided to set my sights on my fall marathon, the Hartford
Marathon in October. Yes, I still had two sprint triathlons on the schedule and if those continue as planned, I will compete, but they are not my big goals. The Hartford Marathon is my goal! Yes, I have completed a marathon before, five to be exact, but during this race it is my goal to finally complete the 26.2 course in sub five hours!!

My last marathon, The Wineglass Marathon in October 2019, I took 16 minutes off my time, completing the course in 5 hours and 12 minutes. It is my goal to complete the Hartford Marathon in under five hours! When I shared this with my coach she was very excited for me. She shared a story of the first time she qualified for Kona. She set her sights on only one Ironman, Lake Placid, and all of her training went into that race. She believes that focusing on this one race will have me crossing the finish line in under five hours!!

About a week in a half ago I completed two virtual races in one weekend. A Duathlon on a Saturday, the Cinco de Duo and the annual Mountain Goat 10 miler on a Sunday. As we were approaching the weekend my coach was going over my game plan and how I should approach them. After she shared the plan she stated, once this weekend is over, we will have a recovery week and then we are heading into marathon training! I could feel her excitement as she typed those words, and I think I even heard an evil laugh, which scared me a bit (just kidding I didn't hear an evil laugh). But she is ready to get me focused on my goal, to be confident at the start line, and cross that finish line completing what I set out to do!

So I am begging everyone...wash your hands, wear your masks, stay at home or at least 6 feet apart as much as possible, and PLEASE GOD LET THIS RACE HAPPEN!!!

Keep moving forward! Stay Strong!