Always have an idealistic goal and a realistic goal.
Although my high school cross-country career ended 23 years ago, I still clearly remember the words of Coach Tom Sexton before every road race that I run. The idealistic goal would be the time you thought you could run if you felt great, the conditions were perfect, the course was fast. The realistic goal would be the time you should at least be able to reach if one or more factors didn’t go your way. To this day, I always have two different time goals (basically a time I’d be satisfied with and a time I’d be really happy about). Great advice from a great coach.
Coach Advocate 