pickupthepacepaul

I’m always an advocate of goals. It is so important to have something to aim for, to help push you and motivate you. However, it is also important to adapt to life challenges and reset goals when needed. After working hard to get into PB shape in 2021, I didn’t realise how burnt out I was in 2022. It was a difficult year for me and my fitness goals, and this followed me into 2023. I had my eyes set on some goals that proved to be unrealistic, but I adapted and set myself new challenges pretty early in the year.

My 2023 goals

• Run another Boston Qualifier time before the end of 2023
• Run a sub 3 Marathon before the end of 2023
• Complete an Ironman, Ultra and at least a dozen marathons in 2023
• Run a marathon in at least one new place in 2023
• Do 50 push ups and 50 sit ups every day
• Raise another £2,000 for Cancer Research in 2023

My speed goals changed pretty quickly. I found that as I started 2023, I lacked a lot of energy, and I was struggling to come anywhere near close to my best. 2023 was not going to be a year for a sub 3 marathon. So, instead, I focused on my other goals, and instead of speed, I looked for quantity. After raising over £15k for cancer research, it has become increasingly difficult to continue fundraising. This year, to hit my goal, I decided to run more marathons than ever before. Changing my goal from 12 marathons to 26 marathons in 52 weeks (or 1 marathon every 2 weeks for a year). I am happy to have raised £1,850 in 2023, short of my goal, but still a decent amount for Cancer Research.

I also decided to concentrate on general strength and fitness. I used to go to the gym when I was younger, but I haven’t really worked out for over a decade. So, instead of doing 50 push-ups a day, I joined the gym.

2023 achievements

In 2023, I did not achieve any speed goals, and I did not feel any closer. But I do feel ready to repeat this goal for 2024, with a more realistic outlook.

I did improve strength and fitness, regularly going to the gym 2-4 times a week. I’ve actually put on more bulk than I would like and not lost any of the belly fat that I would like to achieve. I’m glad to have regained some of my strength, and next year, I will look at reducing my waistline, which will link to improved speed whilst running.

I did run somewhere new. In fact, 2023 was a fantastic year for exploration, having run marathons in 2 new US states and 4 new countries / cities around the world.

I had a big aim for running 26 marathons, but instead, I ran 31 marathons, including an ironman and Ultra. I also paced 9 marathons around the world, which I’m proud of, and so glad I could help so many more people hit their goals. With the opportunity to run Tokyo Marathon, I took my chance to run the World Marathon Majors Slam, running all 6 Majors in 2023. I also ran a number of other shorter distances and a total of 1,150 miles for the year. I’m finishing on New Year’s Eve with a 5 mile run with my boy riding beside me on his bike. I don’t usually wear much running because I overheat, but I’m glad to be trying my new adidas jacket out in the rain.

January 2023

I set my goals in 2023, and they were SMART, but I needed to adjust them as they just were not right for me in 2023. I started the year slowly and ran 1 marathon in January. The Doughnut Dash.

February 2023

I had decided by now to target 26 marathons in 2023. I was behind target, but I completed 2 marathons in February and a half marathon for good measure.

First up, the Watford Half. Following that, 2 more events with Phoenix Running, the Monkey Run, and Penguin Plod.

March 2023

March is when the year started getting pretty special. Another 2 marathons took my total to 5, but the destinations were amazing. After trying for many years, and after losing my place in 2020 because of Covid, I finally went to the Tokyo Marathon. Tokyo Marathon was my final star on my World Marathon Majors Six Star Journey.

Then it was great to return to Rome Marathon, which is a great marathon, with one of the best finish lines in the world.

April 2023

April is where it got a little crazy. I completed 12 marathons in April, which included 10 marathons in 10 days, followed by a trip to Boston Marathon, then London Marathon. Bringing my year total to 17 marathons.

This was the second time I had completed 10 marathons in 10 days, and I was far less consistent. At this point I was struggling both physically and mentally with my fitness, but determined to keep going and opted to give myself a bit of a break and back off the pressure of consistently running sub 4 marathons every time, which is something I have been doing for about 10 years.

I absolutely love running Boston Marathon and pleased to get the opportunity to run it 2 years in a row. Then, of course, my favourite marathon of all time, with so many memories, London Marathon. This was the 11th time I have completed the London Marathon. After feeling tired with the 10 in 10, I decided to take both Boston and London easier than normal, both with sub 4’s, but not pushing myself anymore.

May 2023

May should have been a month to recover, but it was a whole new challenge which included 2 more marathons, in 2 different countries, plus 2 5k, a family run and a 100 mile bike ride. The 100-mile bike ride felt necessary with my lack of training on the bike and an ironman still on the horizon. This took my total to 19 marathons in 2023.

It started with Eugene Marathon, a lovely trip to complete Oregon State. This was followed by Prague Marathon and a lovely family holiday.

June 2023

The summer months are usually where I run less and take part in some bigger challenges. In June, I took part in 1 event, completing a 50-mile ultra with Phoenix Running, bringing my total marathon count for the year to 20. I had actually intended on running 100 miles in 24 hours, but it just wasn’t my day. With the option to stop at 50 miles, it made the decision to stop easy. If I didn’t have the option to stop, I would have carried on, but it would not have been pretty, and it would not have been under 24 hours. My head wasn’t in it, and my body certainly needed a rest, so 50 miles for me, which was still a hefty challenge.

July 2023

In July, I wasn’t going to run, but I didn’t want to give up on my challenge, so I entered a double marathon weekend. Two events with Phoenix, I love Fridays and Titanic Marathon, bringing my 2023 total to 22.

August 2023

August was my Ironman month. So, there is 1 more to add to my total, bringing me to 23. Ironman Gdynia and a 5k night run. We like to adventure and visit places we wouldn’t usually consider for a holiday. My family really loved Poland. The ironman went well, I’m never breaking any records, but I did myself proud, achieving my 7th Ironman finish. My kids both did an Aquathlon, and the night 5k was run as a family.

However, the highlight of August wasn’t my Ironman. My family has been wanting to go to Disney World Florida for some time, and this year was the year we made the magical dream come true. I’m not a massive fan of fast rides, but this was all for the family, and a 2 week holiday with no running and lots of fast rides was exactly what was wanted. We had so much fun.

September 2023

Another 2 marathons in September left me at 25 marathons, one short of my target. I had planned to do another, but I changed to the half at Richmond Marathon with extreme heat, leading to the event being cancelled halfway through. The lack of water on the course left me struggling.

September was a warm-up to a very busy period of travel and marathons. It started with a phoenix event for the Queen’s Memorial marathon followed by Berlin Marathon. Berlin Marathon is a favourite of mine, which I have now ran 7 times.

October 2023

After warming up in September, October became international. I ran 3 more marathons, bringing my yearly total to 28. I also ran a 5k in Detroit. I started by running the Chicago Marathon for the 4th time. It was a great course and one of the best finish parties out there. Of all the World Majors, this is one that your plans after the event need to include hanging out in the race village.

I then ran Detroit Marathon and 5k. This was my 10th State, and although it was the following week and a short flight from Chicago, I had to fly home and back. First of all, a week away from family is a long time, but then there is the annual leave and costs associated with staying a whole week. It just meant I had to fly back and forth. The jetlag wasn’t easy. This was such a unique event, needing to have your passport verified to run from the USA to Canada and back, and needing to carry your passport with you.

Then, in half term for the kids, we went on a family trip to Venice. It was hot and a perfect holiday. A little warm for the race, and everyone struggled a little, including me. But it was a fantastic race, and I really enjoyed my trip to Venice and the Venice Marathon.

November 2023

In November, I ran another 2 marathons. This meant I had completed 30 marathons in 2023, and I had thought this was going to be the end. First of all, I ran the New York Marathon, which is a pretty special marathon. There aren’t many marathons out there that can compare with size and support.

I then travelled to Larnaka to take part in the Larnaka Marathon. We got lucky with lovely weather, and whilst it is a smaller event, it has a lot to do with friends and family. If it wasn’t term time, I would have loved to travel with family.

December 2023

I didn’t want to end the year not running a marathon every month, considering all I have achieved throughout the year. There were so many events I could have chosen, but had to balance cost and time. I also would have liked to have run a few more, but having done so many, it just wasn’t the right thing to do. So I decided to look at Phoenix events, and immediately I knew which event I had to do to end the year and have a little fun. So I ran the Barbie Vs Ken Marathon and made sure I dressed for the occasion. I had no time goals and just wanted a nice long run to end the year.

In 2024, I will not run as many marathons. One day, I would like to do 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Physically, I know I can, but I just don’t have the time to do so, as family and work would not make it possible. I am sure I will run a lot, and I want to travel as much as possible with my family and see new places. I would also like to try and get myself back in the shape I need for a sub 3. This is another goal for the year, but one I won’t be too upset about if I don’t achieve it.

I would love to run in a new US State. Ideally, I want to run in all 50 states, but this is a very long-term goal. And of course, I want to inspire more people to get the most out of running and hit their goals.

Apart from that, I just want to have fun. What are your goals for 2024?