I started out back in February saying I just want to finish the mini in 2009, and would be happy if I could actually run 6-7 miles of the race. Its amazing what patience and training can do to change that mindset. I not only intend to run the entire distance, I plan to do it in under 2 hours. I have a lot of work to do and there will be setbacks( this week my kids had the flu, and then I got the flu, 5 total miles ) but as long as I'm smart about it I think I can pull it off. My main goal is to make sure I run a smart race but I added the time goal as extra motivation. Below are my goal times for the Triple Crown of Running and The KDF Mini-Marathon.

Anthem 5K- 22:45
Rides City 10K- 47:45
Papa Johns 10 Miler- 1:25.00
KDF Mini- 2:00.0

Wow! That's amazing! I think you've made some very realistic goals, based on what I know about your current level and ability to train.

I can't put up numbers like that yet but it'll be so exciting to run the same races next year that I've done this year and see how much I've improved. I'm really excited about spring time!

My goal is to not get injured. I think that should be all of ours!

I'm proud of you for setting goals, Joe. Now get better, get out there and make it happen!

I agree. Goals do and need to change. Sometimes we are over agressive in goals we set to achieve and other times we may underestimate ourselves and need to make our goals more agressive. My long term goal is still basically the same, I want to run Boston by 2012, hopefully in 2011 though. My more immediate goal is to run smarter not harder to avoid injury as Kriston mentions. I don't think my legs were quite ready for the 14 miles I ran a few weeks back, and as a result, my knee is still giving me a hard time. My total miles for this week are a whopping 5.2. Only 2.2 on Sunday. So from now on my mantra is smarter not harder.

And that's a good mantra to have!

I sometimes have to fight the urge to run more or faster (like today) but I know that when I play it according to my training plan and not get too aggressive, I am benefitting myself in the long run.

My long runs are still under 10 miles and I know I have to amp that up--my goal is to get there by the end of the year. I think that's do-able and I think it's smart as long as I keep training at my current level and continue to progress.

I think we all have our heads on pretty straight!

Sounds like reasonable/attainable goals.

Though I think if you hit that 10K time, you may want to shoot towards a pace closer to 8MM for the 10-miler, and possibly even the half.