For some reason, if I get an email about a race then I must sign up. It doesn’t matter if I have raced that distance or have raced that type of event before: no matter what I sign up. Well, I don’t sign up for EVERY race that lands in my inbox, but when it sounds big, like nothing I have ever done, and a little scary… I end up registering within minutes.
A gateway big goal (2025)
A few days before New Year’s 2025, I received an email from AREEP, sharing about their Spring Race Series. It consisted of a 10K in March, a half marathon in April, and a 10M in May. I still do not know how they got ahold of my email. Never in my life had I run a race before. The last race I had run was a gym class relay in middle school, and that was not fun. Despite this, I pulled out my credit card, and signed up.
How hard could it be? If other people can do it, then it is possible. My longest run in 2024 was about three miles (and that was very sporadic training), and ten more miles didn’t sound too bad. I turned to my favorite coach and resource at the time: an AI-chatbot. I had it draft me an aggressive training plan. I went for my first run, and had to stop at 0.74 miles. I focused on doing loops around my home, and learned quickly that running was mostly mental for me. If I just refused to stop, then I wouldn’t stop. I always wanted to beat the previous run in either pace or distance.
My AI Coach had me running 9 miles non-stop within six weeks. Then… I got injured. I refused to acknowledge it, and took ibuprofen and acetaminophen before my runs. It didn’t hurt when I ran, I just couldn’t bend my knee after and was in excruciating pain, but running itself was fine. My knee buckled during the March 10K, but I finished. I ignored it until 3 weeks before the half marathon, when I finally went to the doctor because I had come home from the gym and could not walk up the hill without crying.
I didn’t run the half marathon that time. I did run the ten mile the next month after taking time off of running and starting physical therapy. I ran a half marathon four months after the first attempt. I ended up completing three half marathons (injury free) in 2025.
You can set a big goal, like running a half marathon without ever having run a race before, but you need to respect the distance. Building up to races takes time, and just because people can run a half marathon doesn’t mean that they can do it without any training background.
My first ever half marathon goal was kind of unexpected. Most of my goals are unexpected.
My big goal for 2027
I received an email recently…
It was from Spartan. I received an email from Spartan. Why did Spartan contact me? No idea. I have never run a Spartan, nor have I ever expressed interest in Spartan; however, I was intrigued. I had considered doing a Spartan before, but they looked really difficult and I didn’t think I would be strong enough to handle the obstacles. I have no idea if I am strong enough to conquer the obstacles, but we are going to find out.
I signed up for some Spartan races. Not one or two, but I am going for the trifecta in 2027. I signed up for a Sprint 5K, a Super 10K, and a Beast (half marathon). I am terrified.
Thankfully, I have recruited some friends to join me for the Super 10K. We have about 8 months to train for that, so I am optimistic. I am excited to spend time with my friends as we work towards this big race and expand our endurance sport repertoire. This might be a one and done situation, or some of us might discover a liking of Spartan.
Some thoughts on goals
Setting big goals makes things fun. It keeps life interesting and dynamic. Maybe I will be able to complete the trifecta, and maybe I will need to try again in 2028. I have no idea what I have gotten myself into, but I am going in with the goal of at least starting all three races and taking care of myself so that I minimize risk of injury. If I do get injured, then I will visit the doctor, so that I will be able to start the race or do rehab to prepare for a new training block.
One of the things I have learned by setting big goals is that you never know what you are capable of until you try. If you count yourself out and never try, then you will never accomplish that achievement. Maybe you can be a Spartan, maybe you can earn the trifecta, but you won’t know until you are at the finish line.
Big goals can also teach you about respect and humility. I have had to respect the distance, to slow down my training to where I am and not where I “should” be, and to be honest with myself about expectations. I can probably finish each of the Spartan races, but I doubt I will be able to do every single obstacle without any penalties. My sport has been running, not heavy strength training.
I’ve also learned a lot about myself and what I value by setting big goals. I value community, support, and growth. Investing in social connections with other like-minded individuals who are interested in endurance sports and supporting them through their goals is one of my favorite aspects of being involved in endurance sports. I really enjoy testing my limits, especially because I get to make so many friends along the way.
Endurance sports are traditionally viewed as solo activities, but I have made more friends by playing running, going to the gym with people, or taking group fitness classes than a solo activity in the traditional sense. The only reason that these sports are solo activities is because your results are assigned only to you, but they are also results from the community that supported you during training. All of the miles shared with friends and all of the hours with gym buddies. My results are not only mine, but are a product of the community who kept me accountable and supported me.
And if you want to try a Spartan too…
You can use code ANCHORENDURANCE for 30% off at checkout for any Spartan Sprint, Stadion, Super, Beast, Ultra, Kids, Trail, 5K TM or 15K TM event in the US in 2026 or 2027. This code is good until the end of 2026.
Let’s talk!
If you’re not sure where to start, or want support building up to your first race, I’d love to help. At Anchor Endurance, LLC, I am an RRCA-Certified Adult Distance Running Coach. Please reach out today for a complimentary 20-minute phone consultation to see if we are a good fit and get more information on run coaching services. You can also email me at [email protected].
