Marathon goals.

My third marathon is this Sunday. Sunday! That's right around the corner.

I've trained well for this race, which is good because I have some goals that I would really like to achieve. But I also had that hip injury flare up on me at the end of my training and, I have to admit, that is getting in my head a little bit.

I am doing my best to shake any doubts out of my head. I ran 4 miles yesterday at an easy pace and  when I looked at my watch after the run I was happy to see my pace was well under my goal pace.

And what is my marathon goal pace, anyway? Well friends, it is a pace that would give me a new PR. It is a pace that would qualify me for Boston. It is 8:55.

8:55 per mile. For 26.2 miles.

That's all.

8:55 per mile would have me crossing the finish line in 3:54. A 3:54 marathon would qualify me for Boston (my BQ time is 3:55:00). I believe I can do it.

Why? Well, to start, I put my recent (ish) half marathon time into a few race prediction calculators. Here's what they predicted for my marathon time:

Calculator #1: 3:50:33
Calculator #2: 3:54:14
Calculator #3: 3:52:04
Calculator #4: 3:54:02

My training for this marathon has been better than my training for that half marathon. So that's a factor. Another factor in my favor is that the race takes place on my home turf. I know the course. I can sleep in my own bed the night before the race.

As long as I keep myself in check over the first half of the course, I believe I can run 3:54. I know it will be hard. I know I will want to stop in those last miles. I also know my body can handle way more than my mind gives it credit for.

I'm excited for Sunday. And nervous, sure. I've gone after big times before and missed them. But I've also gone after fast times and surprised myself by running faster.

I just have to see what race day will bring.

If you have good vibes to spare, send them my way! I'll be going after that 3:54 -- running my little heart out for sure!

Have a great weekend, everyone! Thanks for stopping by :-)