Maximizing Your Running Goals in 2013

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In this episode we talk about setting and maximizing your running goals in 2013. And for this episode’s quick tip we recommend a running app with live tracking and voice feedback.

When I look back on 2012 I have to say that it was a good year. However, from the perspective of achieving my running goals it was a mixed bag.

I came close to qualifying for Boston two times. The first time I missed my goal by 1 min, 47 seconds. The second time I missed the goal by 41 seconds. It was exciting to come so close, yet disappointing to be so far away.

At the beginning of December we went through a hard time. I was 18 weeks pregnant and had a sudden miscarriage because the baby had a genetic disorder. I was hospitalized after losing a lot of blood and going into shock. Since then we have done our share of grieving the loss of our baby and I’ve also had some physical challenges to cope with. I was left very anemic which has affected my energy levels and strength. For the first week I would get fatigued walking across a room and was plagued with dizziness. I currently can only run a half mile without getting very short of breath and fatigued. I’m definitely not going into the New Year where I want to be physically.

I share this experience because I know that many of you are struggling physically and emotionally. We want to provide some realistic encouragement to you as you go into 2013.

So here are a few suggestions of ways to maximize your running and fitness goals in 2013.

1. Embrace your identity as a runner. The more you see yourself as a runner the more you’ll be on this journey for life. You’ll realize that your identity as a runner is bigger than a missed training run, a bad race, or any time goals that you set for yourself. It doesn’t matter if you can’t even run a mile yet. Start to visualize yourself as a runner. The mind is powerful and what you dwell on will often become your reality.

 

2. Write down your goals for 2013. You should have a variety of goals including small, medium, and large ideas. Meeting the small goals can give you extra inspiration and strength to keep pursuing the big goals. There is power in the written word and making your commitments tangible. Put your goals somewhere where you will see them frequently, like as the background on your computer, on your desk at work, on the bathroom mirror, or on the refrigerator.
   

   Register for a race. Having a race on the calendar and paying the fee in advance is a great incentive. It’s especially helpful to register for races that will keep you motivated in your marathon training during tough times of the year. If you struggle to stay fit during the winter it may be helpful to have a spring race on the calendar. If you tend to fall off the wagon during the summer you should register for a late summer or early fall race. Be strategic about pursuing your goals.

 

3. Expect progress, not perfection. This is one key to living a fulfilling life. We all miss the mark as humans. If you expect perfection out of yourself and others it is a recipe for frustration and failure. Cut yourself some slack. If you went off your diet and binged simply stop and push the reset button. Don’t beat yourself up. Simply start fresh right away. Expecting perfection is often counter-intuitive because we become afraid to have new experiences and dream big. Those who succeed often fail frequently, but they aren’t afraid to get back on their feet, brush themselves off, and try again.

 

Also Mentioned in this Episode

Runtastic pro a live tracking app with voice feedback. Hear cheers and receive messages live from your friends and be motivated to go even further.