The hardest goal I set myself I never did achieve

What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

The hardest goal I set myself

I never did achieve

A marathon in sub 3 hours

Was at one time my aim.

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I took it very seriously

Would follow six month plans

Build my weekly mileage up

To sixty miles a week.

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I’d study all the training plans

For stamina and speed

Watching what I had to eat

And getting proper sleep.

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I had a few attempts at it

And mostly did OK

But 3.15 the best for me

And sadly that won’t do.

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I gave up running marathons

When I couldn’t beat four hours

I have gentler running aims

Now I’m seventy two.

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I still like to push myself

But have more modest aims

I still aim for 8 minute miles

But now for just 5k.