When I crossed the finish line at the Maybank Bali Half Marathon in 2024, something clicked.
Crossing that line wasn’t just about finishing a race—it was about proving something to myself.
Before that moment, I had always thought of myself as just an average runner.
But during that race, something shifted. The goal wasn’t just to complete the distance
I was chasing a personal record (PR), something I hadn’t even allowed myself to believe was possible.
When I crossed that line, I realized I had pushed myself harder than I ever had before. I wasn’t just running to run anymore—I was racing against myself, and it felt damn good.
From that moment on, every run became a chance to improve. No longer was I just out for a jog. I was actively hunting down a better version of myself. And let me tell you, that shift wasn’t easy.
Some days, I questioned whether I had it in me. But there was no turning back. PRs weren’t just a dream—they were a goal I could reach.
Let’s get into the practical stuff.
How to Train for a PR: Why Casual Runs Won’t Get You There
Here’s the thing: you can’t hit a PR by being casual about your training. If you want to break your personal best, you have to put in the work.
I ditched the easy runs and started adding speed drills, tempo runs, and interval training into my routine.
There were days when I dreaded the idea of pushing myself that hard, but deep down, I knew I had to. It wasn’t just about running longer distances—it was about running smarter, harder, and with purpose.
And on those tough days, when I just didn’t feel like pushing, I remembered the excitement I felt crossing that finish line at the Bali Half Marathon. That kept me going.
Chasing a PR with the Long-Run Mindset
Chasing a PR isn’t just about one race. It’s about a long-term mindset. I’ve learned that the journey doesn’t end when the race is over. It’s a cycle.
It’s not just about getting that shiny new PR at one race—it’s about setting the stage for the next one and the one after that. Every run, every workout, no matter how tough, is one more step toward the next goal.
And let me tell you, the sense of accomplishment you get from reaching that goal is worth every painful mile, every struggle. On those days when my body was telling me to stop, I kept going. Because in the back of my mind, I knew that each step was getting me closer to that ultimate achievement.
Overcoming Mental Blocks – Using a PR as Motivation
Let’s be real—there were days when I didn’t want to train. I was tired. My legs were sore. And my mind?
Full of doubts. I’d ask myself, “Can I really do this? Can I really hit that PR?” But here’s the thing: that’s when the mental game kicks in. It wasn’t about the physical exhaustion—it was about battling the voices in my head telling me to quit.
On those days, I broke the run into smaller pieces, telling myself, “Just get to that next mile, then we’ll see how you feel.” Slowly, the negative thoughts faded. Sometimes, you just have to push through the mental blocks. And once I did, I felt like I could conquer anything.
How to Build a Long-Term PR Mindset
To build a long-term PR mindset, you have to accept that the process is slow. It’s not about hitting a PR every time you race—it’s about the steady progress over time.
Early on, I was obsessed with seeing instant results.
But now, I know that consistency is the key. The work you put in today will show up tomorrow, and the day after that.
Sure, the PRs feel amazing when you hit them, but it’s the process—the day-in, day-out grind—that prepares you for those moments. And it’s in those tough moments, when everything seems impossible, that you really grow.
Fueling and Recovering for PR-Focused Training
When you’re training for a PR, you need to fuel your body for performance, not aesthetics. Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way that what you put in your body matters.
I used to think skipping meals or not fueling properly would give me a quicker edge. But I was wrong. Fueling properly with the right nutrition makes all the difference.
And recovery? Just as important. Your muscles don’t grow while you’re running—they grow when you rest. And trust me, there’s no skipping rest. Skipping it only leads to burnout, and we all know how that story ends.
Managing Expectations – Dealing with Setbacks
You know what’s tough? Managing setbacks. Not every race goes as planned. There were days when my splits didn’t line up and the PR seemed out of reach.
On those days, I had to remind myself that sometimes, finishing strong was more important than hitting a new personal best. I’ve learned that setbacks aren’t failures—they’re part of the journey. E
very time you face a setback, you have the choice to let it break you, or to use it as fuel for the next race.
Mini-Guide for New Runners Chasing Their First PR
If you’re just starting out on your PR journey, here’s a few things I learned the hard way:
Start Small: Don’t try to shave minutes off your time right away. Start with small, realistic goals like improving your time by 30 seconds or a minute.
Consistency is Key: It’s not about perfection—it’s about showing up. Train regularly, and you’ll see progress.
Recovery Matters: Don’t skip your rest days. Your body needs time to rebuild.
Track Your Progress: Keep a log of your runs. Even small improvements are worth celebrating.
Celebrating the PR – The Real Achievement
When I finally hit that PR, yeah, it felt incredible.
But it wasn’t just about the time on the clock—it was about everything that led up to it. The tough training days, the sacrifices, the moments when I wanted to quit.
Those were the moments that made that PR so much sweeter. Because when you work hard for something, it’s not just the finish line that matters. It’s everything you learn along the way.
Keep Chasing Your Best Self
So, what’s next? Keep chasing those goals, keep improving, and keep striving for more. But most importantly, enjoy the ride. The true victory isn’t just about hitting a new PR—it’s about becoming a better version of yourself, one run at a time.