GOAL SETTING FOR THE NEW YEAR
New Year’s resolutions are almost made to be broken. This year, set goals for yourself and your running instead of “resolutions”. Think about what you want to achieve and actionable ways to achieve those goals. Here are some tips for goal setting for the new year and how to make sure you actually conquer them.
SET A CONCRETE GOAL
When goals aren’t met, it typically means that a concrete goal was not set. When we say “concrete” goal, we mean a goal that is realistic, measurable and time bound. Here are some goals that might fit into your goal setting for the new year:
I will run my first 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon on X date in X time
I will run X miles in X amount of time by X date
STAY ACCOUNTABLE
Find a way to hold yourself accountable to your goal. Whether that be through a running buddy, a calendar, or an internal drive to achieve, don’t let yourself give up. When life gets busy, it is sometimes hard to keep your goals in mind but you got this! You never know, you could inspire someone else to join you.
MAKE A ROADMAP
Aside from setting your goal(s), you need to have a way to get there. Create a roadmap to success. Plan out the ways in which you are going to achieve your goal. For example, determine what days you will run, what days you will rest, what time of day you will exercise, etc. Setting a schedule and roadmap will help you to stick to the plan. Make this roadmap visible every day so you keep reminding yourself to stay on track.
BE FLEXIBLE
Of course, we know that no matter how hard you try to stick to a routine, schedule, or goal, life happens. We get sick, we take vacation, life gets in the way. Going into goal setting with the mindset that your roadmap to reach your goal will be smooth sailing and seamless is just setting you up to fail. Understand that things come up and there will be days when you fall off track but the most important thing is to be flexible and get right back into it once you are able.
FACTOR IN REST DAYS
Pre-planning rest days will help you not only stick to your goals but will help you avoid burnout. Let’s face it, doing the same thing regardless of what it is over and over can get repetitive and rest days don’t have to mean no exercise! Instead of your daily run, try taking a hike or going for a swim. Switch it up and take time for you!
Going into 2023, we want to help you in goal setting for the new year. Start by simply assessing what you want to accomplish and how you might get there. No matter the goal, we are here to cheer you on every step of the way.
