By Vlad Shatrov

Goal setting for runners- Staying on the critical path.

I’ve just sat down after my Sunday long run, having completed a solid training block of 4 weeks, but really part of a continued build-up traced back to probably September 2014. I’ve got clear goals for 2015, set some time back, but gradually refined as the months went by.

Todays run was 36k. As you know its pretty warm at the moment, so this can make it a little more difficult, nonetheless I completed the run pretty much to plan with a quick 4:01 average. It was a solo run, and I’ve a little bit more to do later today – but right now Ill keep hydrating whilst finishing off a few of the tasks I’ve got lined up for the rest of today.

So going back to Goals and Goal setting. Our recent Facebook post asked the question – what are your goals?

Mine a clear, challenging and timely. This year I have a clear goal to break the 2:20 marathon. The target race for this is Berlin Marathon in September, but I will also be looking to run close to the mark at Tokyo marathon – just 5 short weeks away.

Training for such races and goals really does require a plan – yes me too, I’ve a plan, which focuses on different types of training throughout the year and weeks with an aim of achieving these goals.

However sometimes it all doesn’t go to plan. Life is busy, most of us work around our jobs and families too, and therefore I like to use the same approach I used in the days of Kepner-Tregoe. Just like project management – treating your goal race as a little project, establish the critical path (Optimum training plan), then allow for and be willing to adjust due to some lead and lag.

As I mentioned earlier, the last few weeks in particular I have been able to train well, really well. That’s probably allowed me to be slightly ahead of where I planned at this stage (I have a lead) – whilst its better to be in this position, unlike machines the body needs more rest and recovery, so be prepared to keep yourself in check and even back off for a day or two to allow that required recovery.

More common however, there will be a lag, and if not addressed and monitored quickly this can derail the entire project (race goal). Unfortunately sometimes you wont be able to do much about it (severe injury) and you will then have to adjust goals onto another event. Most of the time it’s a combination of smaller obstacles like niggles, work commitments and so on which will can cause you to fall behind. Having that critical path well clearly defined will allow you to ensure you don’t fall too far behind however and you can re-arrange your week, take 1-2 days off or other small adjustments to get back onto that path.

So saying that – we look forward to being able to keep you as close to that critical path as possible in 2015. Our professional coaches, partner network, growing members area are all part of the Runlab community build around the two core RUNLAB offerings Myrungroup and Runstrong which will help you.