20 Running Race Goals That Have Nothing to Do with Time

I am signed up for the Chicago Marathon this fall. And for the first time in my life, I will be lining up not with a goal to run my fastest time ever. Instead, I will be lining up with a race goal that has nothing to do with time.

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This is really hard for me.

To train for a marathon can feel like a grind. It is a huge time commitment, and sacrifice for my family, and to make it without wanting to run my personal best is challenging and can honestly make it feel less exciting and worthy.

But this line of thinking is all wrong, I have realized. There are plenty of running race goals that have nothing to do with time that are worthy—and can make yours (and my) running experience that much better.

Why My Running Race Goal for the Chicago Marathon Is Not to Run a PR

For me personally, my race goal for Chicago is not to run a PR (aka personal record–aka run my fastest marathon time yet). It is  to get to the start line healthy because I know that is the best shot I have at finally running my goal marathon PR (to crack 2:50).

My pattern in the past has been to train hard and get fit fast, run a marathon, get injured, and then take a year off running.

You can’t reach your running goals if you are inconsistent in running. Stacking marathon goals is the way to chipping away at the marathon time. So, I know I need a new method. And for me, lining up in Chicago this fall feeling strong and healthy—even if slower—is the best chance I have at accomplishing a goal I set for myself 6 years ago. Chicago is a stepping stone—as it should be.

Why Runners Should Set Race Goals Unrelated to Time

For all runners, setting race goals that have nothing to do with time have all sorts of benefits. In fact, I had several runners tell me that when they set race goals unrelated to time, is when they ran their personal bests. How?

Because setting running goals that have nothing to do with time reduces pressure, allowing runners to run free of performance anxiety and truly enjoy the experience. Relieving this pressure can also increase motivationand encourage smart training not rooted in fear of losing fitness. Have an ache in your calf or feeling fatigued? Runners with goals unattached to the clock are more likely to take that extra rest day or down week—and sidestep injury or overtraining.     

Having non-time-based running goals can also help training for a race feel less stifling and like a grind. There is more balance and flexibility. You don’t feel totally upended if a training run is missed. And you are more open to running with others and building community—even if they are not running at your usual pace.

In general, running without a time goal can make the overall running experience more fulfilling and enjoyable. There are few things worse in a runner’s career than training for a big race only for things outside your control not to go your way and feeling like your commitment was a waste of time.

Setting goals unrelated to the clock can help you avoid this.

I asked my Instagram followers and my athletes I coach for their running race goals unrelated to time. Below I offer 20 race goals that have nothing to do with time to help you find more enjoyment in your next race. These goals will set you up for success when it comes to chasing time-based goals while also relieving pressuring and encouraging fun!

20+ Running Race Goals That Have Nothing to Do With Time 

Make it to the start line healthy.

This is my goal for the Chicago Marathon this fall. And it’s an important one as it shows that I trained within myself and stayed balanced in what can be a grueling grind. Getting to the marathon start line healthy is the best goal you can have, in my opinion, to truly set a runner up for success and longevity in the sport.

Maintain a positive attitude.

Running is as much as a mind game as it is for the body. If a runner can harness their mental game, then they are that much more likely to reach their running potential. Focusing on what you can control—your headspace (especially in the latter stages of a marathon) is an important goal with the potential to change your running game.

Work on your racing game.

I love this non-time related racing goal because it makes you a better runner and makes you feel like an athlete. Not having time goals can make the achievement feel less than. But if you focus on racing smart like dropping in surges when you feel tired, running tangents, and not starting out too fast, you will no doubt finish proud.

Dial in your hydration and fueling.

Too many runners train so hard for a long-distance race like a marathon or half-marathon only to throw that hard work away by not fueling properly or hydrating enough. Having a goal to nail your running nutrition like figuring out what energy gels your stomach tolerates and how you can get in enough fluids will set you up for success when it’s time to chase that running PR.

Show (my) daughter what moms (and women) are made of.

Sometimes all it takes is zooming out and seeing the impact your running can have on those around you, especially our kids, is all it takes to realize that the time actually doesn’t matter. It’s the commitment to a goal, hard work, and belief in yourself that matters.

High-five as many people (kids) as you can.

Running a race is a joyful experience. Connecting with the crowd amplifies that joy and reminds runners that this is supposed to be fun. Taking your race too seriously? Stick out your hand, high-five a kid, and feel the mental boost. 

Make at least one new friend during the race.

There’s nothing like ensuring you are racing with the right effort and making the miles tick by than talking to someone. Make it a goal to strike up a conversation with at least runner and chat with them for at least a mile. You can start by asking them if they have run this race before or have a goal they are going for (then you can tell them that they are helping you achieve your goal).

Cheer on as many fellow runners as you can.

Another great goal that gives you a boost (and other runners) is by cheering on those around you. You are all headed to the pain cave, so might as well do it in good company. Tell others they are doing a good job or can keep it up. I promise you will feel stronger running when you do this.

Run a negative split.

Running a negative split is perhaps a more challenging goal than running for a specific time. A negative split is when you run progressively faster throughout the race. Aiming to run a negative split encourages smart pacing and discourages bonking or flaming out.

See how much free food or drink you can get from the crowd.

If you’re running a marathon and want to truly embrace the experience, see how much food or drink or free things you can get from those cheering you on.

Don’t walk.

Challenge yourself to not only finish your race, but to not walk—even when you lungs and legs are screaming for you to take a break. This resistance to giving in or giving up strengthens your mental toughness muscle for the next time.

Master the water stops.

Aid stations can be a cluster, to be honest. Make it your goal to master getting through them without slowing down too much or spilling your cups before you even get a sip.

Make your final mile your best mile.

Aim to finish strong with your final mile being your fastest, strongest or most joyful. I can tell you every final mile I have had in the ten marathons I have run has been my slowest and worst mile. Making the last mile your best shows that you raced smart and trained well.

Pet as many dogs as you can.

I had an Instagram follower tell me her friend had this goal, and I think it is genius. I regularly stop runs to pet dogs (and am particularly week around golden retrievers). Stopping to pet dogs during your race is a surefire way to ensure it is a joyful experience.

Don’t poop your pants.

This one came from an Instagram follower. While it is self-explanatory…it can also show that you trained well and nailed your fueling (and spared yourself embarrassment). (We actually talk about what we would do if this happened during a marathon on this Miles with Moms podcast episode).

Smile for every camera you see.

This is truly one I plan to work on—and I am doing better! Most of my race photos I have the death stare on. I am serious, and not having any fun or wasting any energy on smiling. No more! I look for the cameras and be sure to grin. This can not only give a mental boost but can serve as a great distraction from the pain!

Run with joy (enough to want to do it again).

Running is supposed to be fun. So, if you aren’t running with joy, then what are you doing? This is a question I have repeatedly had to remind myself of when I find myself taking this passion too seriously

Leave nothing left.

However the race goes, set a goal to leave nothing in the tank. Pick it up in the final mile or so of the race and finish leaving nothing on the table so there will never be any doubt if you could have run faster or tried harder.

Make your kids proud.

Our kids are watching us and what we do. So make them proud by knowing that you tried your hardest. Show them what it is like to commit to a goal and stick to it. There are few greater things than having our kids be in awe of something we did. And if they asked if you won the Boston Marathon, just tell them “yes (I’m kidding!).

Make yourself proud.

No matter what happens or what the outcome of the race is, make yourself proud. Focus on the big and little goals that you accomplished—whether it was nailing your nutrition or making a friend. You did something so hard that most people will never be strong or brave enough to try–and that is worth celebrating.

Runners may also aim to raise money for charity, pace a loved one, or use a race as an excuse to get together with friends old and new.

I would love to know what running race goals you’ve had that are not related to time and what your experience was chasing them. Did it make your experience less or more rewarding?