Personal Goals

Was wondering what drives others to be out there on the fells, or even just out there running. Mine started as a desire to lose weight and increase my fitness, but found that's not enough for me, I need something more tangible than that. Was surfing the net last night and come across this:)

http://www.snowdonrace.com/saesneg/welcome.html

Well I did'nt just come across it, I was deliberately looking for info on it if I'm being honest:D
My other half is from beautifull North Wales and I'm off up the mountains whenever I get the chance as we are over there a fair bit as she is from Ruthin.
I would quite fancy having a go at that, obviously when I'm a lot fitter than I am at the mo.

Do others have similar goals??

My first goal was to do the Fellsman. Now I'm aiming to increase my speed so I'm going to start racing this year. Depending on what other comittments I have my no.1 goal is the Borrowdale plus on or two other AL's.
Was planning on doing the Dark Peak 15 Trigs challenge on March 29th before I found out that the Edale Skyline race is that day... might save it for summer.
2010 - 3 peaks race, 2011 Bob Graham Round.

(Got to get some fitness back first though!!!:eek:)

Personal goals are interesting and I suppose 'personal'. I've never been able to run quickly and I'm not really interested in trying to speed up now in my mid-40s :eek: However I love the 'buzz' of racing.

My goals are literally to see how far I can go and a BGR sooner rather than later is part of that ;)

I think all runners at some level must have personal goals, or they wouldn't make it to the start line. A couple of years ago my goal was to set PBs in all the standard road distances, and to win the Scottish Islands Peaks Race, but I've done all those now. So my goal now is just to race virtually every weekend without getting injured, and to train a bit more.

My only specific goal for 2009 is to aim for sub 2:50 in London Marathon:
http://www.justgiving.com/london250

I've always had a fascination with stories of extreme human endurance. I'm not saying that anything I've achieved would compare to any of these stories (e.g. Shackleton expedition stories, Touching the Void, Long Range Desert Group soldiers in the Sahara during WWII, anything Sir Ranulph Feinnes has done). But in my mind to not to try to push your own physical limits is a huge waste of your potential.

I'm not quick at all. I like to attempt the longer routes. I've only done a couple so far, but when I'm back in working order, there will be a big push to get some of these under my belt, then getting some of the big rounds in in the next few years.

Would love to do a polar race like the Amundsen race just completed in the last week, or the Polar Challenge (North Pole). Or a top to bottom oceanic row (arctic to antarctic). Not sure if this last one would be possible through either the rough north and south Atlantic seas. Just an idle thought I've had from time to time.

Trouble is, these bigger events cost money. So included in my personal goals is to get stinking rich (mwahahah).

Plan's going well so far:

Stage 1: Steal underpants
Stage 2: ?*shrugs shoulders*
Stage 3: Profit!!
(South Park reference there)

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Originally Posted by southernsoftie

I've always had a fascination with stories of extreme human endurance. I'm not saying that anything I've achieved would compare to any of these stories (e.g. Shackleton expedition stories, Touching the Void).

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I would like to add Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen to that list as well SS an incredible story as well !:cool:

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Originally Posted by Alf

I would like to add Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen to that list as well SS an incredible story as well !:cool:

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Just Wikid him. What a fella!! On top of all his polar exploits, a zoologist, diplomat, scientist, Nobel Peace Prize winner...all round top chap and good egg.

Catch that cwazy gwouse. ;)

I have a dog that likes to chase his tail but he never quite catches it Margerine so don't get too disappointed! Hopefully the KT will be too claggy to see any grouse....

parajon - 2008 was my first full year fell running, and I set myself the target of surviving Fairfield Horseshoe in May... then I got "volunteered" for Snowdon as well, so kept going until end of July - barely survived both but enjoyed both and got gradually fitter in the training

I have come to the conclusion that I'm more suited to shorter/less extreme races and luckily there are plenty of those to try :D

My main goal for 2009 is to try to improve my performances at some of those shorter races (Kinder Downfall is my first main target)

I still intend to target a couple of longer races per year though - Cader Idris in May and 3 Shires in Sept.

Reading the fixtures calender has got me, all fired up. Unfortunately enthusiasm doesn't make up for my lack of ability.

I started 2008 as a non runner, entered my 1st race in july and am now hooked:D

goals for 09;

More races,

Realy want to do an MM this year,

Stop getting knocked over and injured by the dog on training runs:mad:

Have fun

I guess like alot of others I 'fell' in to fell running. I started out as a climber but as a number of my regular climbing partners started working away alot more getting out at a weekend became less and less regular.

I started doing a few runs to keep the weight off and things progressed from there as I found running could be fitted in to my working week easily.

The first thing I wanted to do was to run a mountain marathon, as part of the training for that I ran some great races and things just snowballed. This year its the Haworth Hobble, a mountain marathon and the Old County Tops. Next year its the Coast to Coast, year after that its the MDS.

Like others have said I'm not particularly fast, but I just love getting out and having a laugh with my mates and pushing each other.

I love the feeling of satisfaction knowing I've pushed myself at the weekend when I sit down to my desk on a Monday morning. The other thing I find strangely satisfying is plotting where you've ran on a map, but I guess thats the pleurile train spotter in me!

mine are to complete enough races to qualify in the Hayfield Champs, complete Three Shires and enjoy it and maybe do Brecon in August.

This is while we have a second child in April so careful juggling needed!

Hopefully I'll be able to make Kinder Downfall

Enjoy

At first it was to make the school cross country team, which I scraped in to in 1975. Having done that I compleely suprised everyone including myself at the districh cc champs by finishing 9th and second counter for our team. As a result I was invited to join a club (Essex Beagles) where I trained alongside Colin Reitz and Graham Fell amongst many other talented others. So often aim was to make the club's scoring team for championships, I picked up a bronze medal at Southerns in 1977. On the track it was case of bettering your own pbs and being inspired to beat others set by club mates. Apart from road relays at either end of the track season I hardly ever raced on the road as a teenager.

When I returned to running properly at 21 initially it was a case of getting back to a decent level of fitness for first 6 months during which time I set pb after pb on the road. As time went on I went back to track racing and never quite reached same level as I had at school for 1500m & 3000m. At 5000m I did eventually manage to run 42 secconds quicker than I had in sixth form. I did have one mad track season where I ran 4 or 5 10,000 metre races. Though it did seem odd chasing pbs that were actually 3 minutes slower than I'd done on the road.

On the road like a lot of others I've gradually moved up the distances as I've got older. 100km is furthest I've raced so far.

In summary I've not always chased times but have usually had a particular target in mind. Whether it has been winning county champs or area champs on the track, on the country making Norfolk (never quite made an Essex team !!) or Eastern Counties teams. All of which I've achieved at some stage over the years.

I'll be first to admit after 34 years it is difficult to find something to get me really motivated. So I was glad of the offer of a number for an ultra in less than 4 weeks time to get me on the ball.

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

Personal goals are interesting and I suppose 'personal'. I've never been able to run quickly and I'm not really interested in trying to speed up now in my mid-40s :eek: However I love the 'buzz' of racing.

My goals are literally to see how far I can go and a BGR sooner rather than later is part of that ;)

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Not copying off you DT, but my plan is the same as yours including the mid-40s bit:eek:

complete 2 marathons, time i ain't too bothered about for the 1st one, 2nd one will prob end up slower than the 1st one, which will inspire me to do another one..

try and beat my PB at 10k and half marathon, the half is possible not too sure about the 10k though!!

also remain injury free all year by concentrating on certain races rather than just turning up to as many as possible.. :)

Not much chance of me speeding up. So I try aim for M45 bests or bests as vet full stop.

Mine are almost all road orientated

sub 2:50 marathon
sub 1:20 half
sub 1 hr 10 mile
sub 34 10k
sub 16:30 5k

On the fells, 1:16 or so for Snowdon (done 1:20 in poor conditions).
Sub 3:30 Peris (done 3:38 and 3:33)
Sub 1:40 Ben (done 1:44 but in good conditions but tired after UTMB)
Sub 3:40 Jura (done 3:42 but in awesome conditions)

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Originally Posted by IainR

Mine are almost all road orientated

sub 2:50 marathon
sub 1:20 half
sub 1 hr 10 mile
sub 34 10k
sub 16:30 5k

On the fells, 1:16 or so for Snowdon (done 1:20 in poor conditions).
Sub 3:30 Peris (done 3:38 and 3:33)
Sub 1:40 Ben (done 1:44 but in good conditions but tired after UTMB)
Sub 3:40 Jura (done 3:42 but in awesome conditions)

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Rather suprised you haven't cracked those road targets already Iain.

Only ever done the 1 marathon in 3:03 at Snowdon with gut issues in bad weather, so on a flat course low 2:50's should be comfortable.

Did 1:21 something for a half marathon, but that was the day after doing a 10k race,

34:24 pb for 10k

I've done 16:50 or so for 5k but that was race the train which doesn't really count.

Never done a 10. The 10 should be straight forward, I'm consistently running sub 36 10k's even on hilly routes, but it's just finding a 10 when I'm free. I'm now doing the Highland Fling when our localish 10 miler is on in Wrexham.

TO be able to actually run a race at all this year would be good. Hoping to recover from last year's Ennerdale injury .......:( Still problems with a suspected broken talus......

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Originally Posted by IainR

Only ever done the 1 marathon in 3:03 at Snowdon with gut issues in bad weather, so on a flat course low 2:50's should be comfortable.

Did 1:21 something for a half marathon, but that was the day after doing a 10k race,

34:24 pb for 10k

I've done 16:50 or so for 5k but that was race the train which doesn't really count.

Never done a 10. The 10 should be straight forward, I'm consistently running sub 36 10k's even on hilly routes, but it's just finding a 10 when I'm free. I'm now doing the Highland Fling when our localish 10 miler is on in Wrexham.

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As I thought a lot of it is down to lack of opportunity rather than ability. For some reason I thought you'd run other marathons prior to Snowdownia and was aware of your problems on the day.

I had hoped to do the Highland Fling too, but can't afford to :(

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Originally Posted by mxhornet

I had hoped to do the Highland Fling too, but can't afford to :(

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Even for us from North Wales that's a problem, we were going to miss it, but decided to run. My sister lives near the start so the accomodation is sorted, it's just petrol which is still £100 or so.

My personal goal is to be fell running at 70, still be competitive and give the younger ones ( the 60 year olds ) a run for their money.
AND to pop my clogs at an appropriate point in a race, just having taken in a fantastic view (possibly a young female running by - 50 years old). I can't think of a better way to shuffle off the earth.
:D

Started running aged 42 (4 yrs ago) and did my first fell race, Gt Hucklow, two years later ... ran Edale Skyline, Wasdale (nearly last but finished!) and Wincle Trout Race last year ... this year's entries in are the Edale Skyline, FRA nav course, 3 Peaks, Wasdale, Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Langdale and any others I can squeeze in ... love running/walking in the hills (and it will be walking if I complete that lot) ... gets me out of Brighton, too. Joined Dark Peak FR ... goal is to do a MM or two and maybe a BG ... when/if I'm 50.

Make it through the next shooting season...

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Originally Posted by Grouse

Make it through the next shooting season...

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i doubt it there is a buy one get one free at the gun shop.;)

my goal this year is to meet many more great friends on the fells


if they are ladies even better

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Originally Posted by Derby Tup

My goals are literally to see how far I can go and a BGR sooner rather than later is part of that ;)

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Are you going to continue to be coy about this DT?:D Go on man, name the date!!!

I'm going for 13th June. Plenty of training to do between now and then...and since you're probably on the road between the new place and the Lakes, you'd be more than welcome on my recce trips.

Only problem might be that I'll be doing anti-clockwise recces!;)

Oh.. personal goals...just the one right now really (see above), but as part of the training for that I'm looking forward to the Wadsworth Trog, Wuthering Hike, Calderdale Hike, 3 Peaks and Old County Tops.

Well its hard to make any goals for this year as everything i'd planned so far has gone down the drain.

Im going to have a go at a few club champ races this year and maybe in a couple of seasons be challenging to win it.

It would be silly not to say that at some point in my life try a BG.

Be nice to get some of the lake land classics under my belt - few years off that yet though.

Need to get my knees sorted and then train more regularly compared to what i used to and to HTFU!

Need a car aswel. :rolleyes:

Yeah. BOGOF Grouse. :D

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Originally Posted by Margarine

Yeah. BOGOF Grouse. :D

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Eh? - I need educating!

"Go away Grouse" or, more likely (cos it's less rude) and more cryptically, get two for the price of one.