My goals for the NY Marathon — Legally Fit

🏃‍♀️ My Goals for the NY Marathon  Winning the Day

The number one question I’ve heard throughout the past four months of marathon training is:
“Do you have a time goal?”

For someone who once only dreamed of running this race, that question initially felt almost too bold. If you’d asked me at the start, I would have said my only goal was to finish  as long as they were still giving out medals. But training for this marathon has changed me. It hasn’t just prepared me for the finish line; it has pushed me to reach for something deeper.

🎯 “More” Isn’t Just a Time  It’s a Feeling

What I’ve discovered during this journey is that more isn’t about chasing a clock it’s about chasing a feeling.
Running has tested my limits, reshaped my mindset, and reminded me that every day is a chance to “win the day.”
And for my New York City Marathon, that’s exactly what it’s all about.

I’ve reached the peak of my training plan. The long runs are behind me including Saturday’s 20-mile test  and tapering has begun. Now that the hardest work is done, I know exactly what my body can do, what’s possible, and what’s not.

⏱️ The Goal That Started It All

When I first laced up my shoes months ago, I quietly set a time goal in my mind a pace that once seemed impossible. It was a number I couldn’t reach back then, but one I could train for. I practiced running at that pace during long runs, feeling the burn and building endurance one mile at a time.

As I wrote in the first post of my marathon series:

“Deep down, I realized I want to finish the race in the best possible time I could achieve and I dream of finishing in under five hours. Would I be disappointed if it takes longer? Not a chance. If I put absolutely everything into this training, I’ll know that I not only reached the dream of crossing the finish line, but did it in the shortest time I possibly could whatever that may be.”

That mindset effort over outcome became my mantra.

💪 What Training Has Taught Me

Seventeen weeks later, the process of training has taught me far more than I expected.
It’s revealed that winning the day isn’t just about speed or endurance  it’s about balance, patience, and joy.

I’ve experienced every high and low: the exhaustion of tough runs, the freedom of effortless ones, and the humbling days when I wondered if my legs would ever move again. And through it all, I’ve learned something powerful: the best moments in running are when you forget you’re running at all.

That happened to me last Saturday  on a 20-mile run where I had a specific time goal in mind. I wanted to see if I could finish under 3:48:00, including water breaks and all. My goal pace was 11:25 per mile, and I treated it as my dress rehearsal for Marathon Sunday a preview of whether a sub–five-hour finish was within reach👟 A Dress Rehearsal to Remember

For the first 10 miles, I stayed just ahead of my goal pace. After a quick stop for water, I slipped slightly behind  but then something beautiful happened. I ran into my friend Sarah, who was training with her Achilles running group.
We slowed down to chat, share a few laughs, and reflect on how far we’d both come.
Moments like that remind me why I love this sport — it’s not just about running; it’s about community, connection, and shared purpose.

🧠 The Real Goal

As I taper and prepare for race day, I’ve realized my real goal isn’t measured in minutes or miles.
It’s about showing up, giving my best, and finishing strong — wherever that finish line time lands.
This journey has already given me more than I ever expected: confidence, clarity, and the calm that comes from knowing I’ve done the work.

When I cross that line in New York, I won’t just be finishing a marathon.
I’ll be finishing this chapter of a story that’s only just beginning.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Time goals matter less than personal growth.

• Consistency beats perfection every time.

• Running isn’t just about the body  it’s about the spirit. Follow my final pre-race update before Marathon Sunday  and check out my training insights and behind-the-scenes posts on Instagram.