The Bet - Long Term Running Goals.

As previously mentioned, I have a set of longer term running goals that I'd like to accomplish. In 2010, I'd like to accomplish at least one of them.

They are:
• run a sub 6 min/mile 5k - (18:30)
• run a sub 5 min/mile
• run a sub 6:30 min/mile 10k - (40:00)

Rob Knapik and I are essentially/offially (?) in a competition to accomplish these goals - Since we have pretty similar times in these, and we both love pushing ourselves and being fit, it seems like a great competition.

I was essentially sparked into competing with Knapik after he ran a sub 20 min 5k last fall, after having NOT RUN AT ALL.. Ok, he'd been doing a lot of cross fit workouts, some of which incorporate some hard running. I think that crossfit must be great for V02 max type training. He had also done a couple of runs over the summer, however, he essentially ran a very good time, PR(?), without any explicit running training. Subsequently I was unable to break 20 min at an Arlington 5k over Thanksgiving, coming in at 20:05 or so - and that after doing a fair amount of running over the previous 6 months.. I hadn't broken a 20 minute 5k since college, and my PR was around 19:10 from almost 10 years ago.

So, the Grand Goal: Be the first to break all of the above times. (*Winner get's a Grand Cru wine - or equivalent from Bordeaux/Napa etc..) I will update here as needed.

Also, the first to break any of the above long term goals will *win a fancy wine, (e.g. a Premier Cru Burgundy or equivalent).

And, also, for general running fitness, I'm going to throw in some Preme's for PR's in other distances to further encourage this. (*Winner get's a nice drink at a bar, or bottle of nice wine/beer..)

• run a sub 58s 400m
• run a sub 2:10 800m
• run a sub 31:30 5 mile
• run a sub 66m 10 mile

*Anyone is welcome to join in on this competition provided they haven't previously broken any of the above times, or they've only broken 1 of them, but it's been approx 7 years or longer...*