Guest Post By: BackAtSquare0
First, how about we start of by ditching the term resolution and all the negative connotations that come with it. When we hear the term resolution we think of some wild idea that is laid out on January 1st and completely forgotten about by February. So, instead how about we focus on selecting an appropriate New Year’s running goal? Unlike resolution, goal has a positive connotation and is thought of as being something you work toward reaching step-by-step, which is exactly what we do as runners. Hard work, training plans, coaching, early mornings, late nights, etc. – these are all little steps that add up to our big goals. But how do you set the best goal for 2016?
First, decide which of the two main goals is most important to you –
1. running faster/speed
2. running further/distance
It is important that you select one of these two areas to focus on in order to set an ambitious, but realistic and attainable goal. Your training really needs to be able to focus on one major goal in order for you to reap the most benefits and see the largest improvement. Plus, your body will thank you for only adding one new stress (speed or distance) with more progress and less injuries.
If you try to do both and decide to focus on a half PR (speed) while also training for your first ever Ultra (distance) it is very hard to get in both the speed work and distance work you need, plus your body won’t be able to do either one as well as it could if you selected just one to focus on. Before you select your specific goal be sure to pick which of the two main goals is best for you-
1. running faster/speed
2. running further/distance
Once you decide if you are focusing on running faster or running further then you can select an appropriate New Year’s running goal for 2016.
Some examples of running faster/speed goals could be:
– a new PR at a distance you are used to
– focusing on running negative splits at your next half/full
– working on fast finishes those last few miles (beat that wall)
Some examples of running further/distance goals could be:
– stepping up to a further distance (from 10K to half, full to ultra, etc.)
– completing a two day challenge
– upping your monthly/yearly mileage
What will your 2016 New Year’s Running goal be?
In 2015 I focused on speed and added in interval work at Orange Theory Fitness in order to set a new 5K PR.
2016 I am running further and focusing on distance with my return to the full marathon the fall (my first full in 2.5 years).
Abby is a formerly overweight couch potato who started running to get healthier and was shocked when she fell in love with the sport, the feeling, the people, all of it. She talks to strangers on race courses, runs to the side to high five cute kids, and is the person who sticks her entire hand into the community candy bowl at mile 20 of the marathon course. Abby blogs about her journey to live healthier, become a better runner, and lose the weight at BackatSquareZero. Also, find her on Twitter(and Instagram) as @BackatSquare0.