I’ve eluded to my goals and aspirations when it comes to running pretty regularly on here but I am beginning to feel as though my goals are pretty vague. Asics recently tweeted out the question, “Do you have a running bucket list?” and it got me to thinking about what I really want to get out of my training and this running adventure. Where do I want to go with my running? What can I do to get more out of my running?

I have goals in mind as far as distances I want to run that I set for myself pretty recently; I am going to run a full marathon within the next three years. The reason for the three year limit is because I think it would be more beneficial for me to get a few more half marathons under my belt before I up my training to that degree. As far as running a distance that is longer than a marathon, I haven’t set goals for that yet (but I’m sure I will, so stay tuned).

Thinking about my bucket list, I started to create a list in my head of places that would like to run a competitive race. My brain immediately chose Los Angeles, California because I would love to visit my brother who lives and works out there. He is a runner, along with his girlfriend, so I think it would be a great experience to do a race with him since I have never done that and he has never been to one of my races. Earlier this year, I ran a 10k race in New Orleans, Louisiana while visiting my sister there during Spring Break. I had the opportunity to run through downtown NOLA, through the French Quarter, near Bourbon Street and through the park in front of the art museum. New Orleans is definitely a place I would love to take part in a longer race.

But why stop at these two locations? There are plenty of races all over the United States that would allow me to explore my country, all while challenging myself and helping me reach my training goals and aspirations.

Run a race in all 50 states. That’s my new goal.

And I’ve already started some planning. Next month, I will be running a half marathon in Ohio. Last week, I signed up for a half marathon in Los Angeles that I will be doing with my brother and his girlfriend. It might not seem like a lot, but it’s a start to accomplishing my goal. All I can think about is my high school English class where we talked about self-fulfilling prophecies. Basically, if you think positive thoughts and believe about something, it will effect your behavior and can cause it to become true. That’s what my mindset needs to be.

Anytime I think either of my goals are a little lofty I just have to remind myself, “Why not?” I shouldn’t have to put limitations on myself. If I want to run a marathon by the time I’m 28, I’m going to do it. If running in every state is what I want to do, I’m going to make it happen. I would rather have goals that require a lot of work and dedication than goals that don’t push me to my fullest potential. Even if I don’t reach my goals, at least I can feel satisfied knowing I worked as hard as possible and came close.