How do I set a goal time?
This is a common question that runners new to power ask.
You can aim for a goal time – for example, “finish the half in under 2 hours”.
But there are some good reasons why you shouldn’t.
𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬
Why not set a goal time?
❌ Your goal time may be unrealistic … ‘hopeful’ rather than based on what you can actually achieve.
❌ Your training targets may be too aggressive … based on your hopeful goal time instead of your current fitness.
❌ At the event, you may try to run with a pacing group … but may end up dropping back and becoming disheartened if you find you can’t keep up.
𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
Rather than set a goal time, use Race Power Planning, which:
✅ is based on your Threshold Power – your actual fitness … the same metric used to set your training targets.
✅ uses your fatigue resistance and your ability to convert effort into forward motion … both individual to you, and based on completed workouts.
✅ results in a power target you can maintain throughout the event … you can avoid going out too fast and be confident to finish strong.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?
Because running to power (and letting your finish time take care of itself) takes some getting used to, even if the result is likely to be your Personal Best on the day.
𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒃𝒆 𝑹𝒖𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓?
How do I set a goal time?
