What better way to start the new year of Real Running than with some New Year’s resolutions. I’m not really one for resolutions since setting goals is the first step toward failure, but I admit that there is some allure to the idea of a fresh start for the new set of months. And since I am sure both of the readers of Real Running will be making resolutions for themselves this year, I figured we could help out.
Running Resolutions are a little different from your typical New Year’s Resolutions in that they don’t have anything to do with being a better person or making the world a better place or even really doing anything productive. It’s a good thing most runners are already good, kind people, because running is about as selfish an activity as there is.
Running Resolutions, unlike regular running goals, are measured over the course of a year. Theoretically, we will check in with our Running Resolutions next December and see how we did, but anyone who has ever been to the gym in March knows that most resolutions are really only good for a few months, tops. But let’s think in terms of twelve months just to stay on topic.
The simplest type of Running Resolution is a mileage target. Be aggressive here. At the end of the year you can always remember a few long runs that you forgot to enter back in June to make your target. Like that 235 miler you did. Remember that? My static mileage goal every year is an even thousand. A thousand mile year is a nice milestone and it is a challenge for regular schlubs like me with jobs and whatnot. Five hundred miles is totally reasonable for a new runner. If you stay healthy and run a little each week, you can do it. You can log your miles however you want, but I let the satellite and Internet gods do it for me. Set your mileage goal for the year before moving on to the next paragraph. I’ll wait…
You should set other targets for the year as well. Set a goal for the number of races you will do. One race a month is attainable, no? How many marathons or half marathons can you squeeze in this year? For whatever reason, I’ve never run a 5k, so this year is my year! I figure this is an easy resolution to pick off in December 2011 if I need to. Maybe 2011 is the year of the marathon for you. Go for it. Write it down.
And let’s not forget to have some fun. If you’re a pavement pounding runner, resolve to get into the woods and run on the dirt once in a while. Tired of lacing up those shoes? Vow to go barefoot for a few miles every week.
Of course, Running Resolutions, like their normal life counterparts, wouldn’t be resolutions if you couldn’t watch them fall apart in the weeks after the new year begins. So set some unrealistic goals that will let you feel a little bad about yourself as they pass you by. My favorite is the “run every day” goal.
Yeah, right. I’m out of this one by January 3rd.
Running Resolutions only work if you are held accountable. So post your list of goals for 2011 here or at our Facebook page. You are following our Facebook page, right? Just for kicks, I’ll be publicly logging my miles and other stats here in 2011 so you can watch me fall short of my goals and shame me into trying again in 2012.
Greg's Real Running Resolutions for 2011
- Run 1,000 miles in 12 months
- Run 3 marathons
- Attempt one Ultra Marathon
- Find an alternative to Powerade Zero, to which I am now addicted, and which cannot be good for me
- Foot commute once a week
- Enter at least one 5k. I don't know why.
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