The new year is a time for new beginnings, new goals, and new challenges. You might be wondering how to make the most of this opportunity and start the year on the right foot (pun intended). Here are some tips to help you kick off 2024 with a smile and a stride.
Review your past year
Before you set your sights on the future, take some time to reflect on your past year. What were your achievements, your challenges, your highlights, and your lowlights? What did you learn from your experiences, and what can you improve on? It’s important to celebrate your successes, acknowledge your failures, and be proud of your progress to form a strong and honest foundation for the next part of your journey.
Set realistic and specific goals
Now that you have a clear picture of where you are, you can decide where you want to go. Set realistic and specific goals for the new year, such as running a certain distance, time, or pace, route, completing a race or event, or improving your health or fitness. Make sure your goals are SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Write them down and keep them visible to remind yourself of what you are working towards.
Plan your training and recovery
Once you have your goals, you need a plan to achieve them. Create a training schedule that suits your level, free time, lifestyle, and preferences. Include a variety of workouts, such as long runs, speed work, hills, and cross-training, to challenge yourself and avoid boredom. Don’t forget to include rest days and recovery sessions, such as stretching, foam rolling, or massage, to prevent injuries and burnout.
Find your motivation and support
Running can be hard, especially in the cold and dark winter months. To keep yourself motivated and accountable it’s helpful to set smaller goals that lead towards bigger ones and those close to you your plans. Friends will just naturally check in with you, so don’t keep it a secret! You can join a running club or group, sign up for an event, get a running coach, or recruit a friend or family member to run with you or cheer you on. You can also reward yourself with some new running gear, a treat, or a medal for reaching your milestones.
Have fun and enjoy the journey
Finally, remember that running is supposed to be fun and enjoyable. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and don’t let your goals or expectations ruin your joy of running. Try new routes, non-competitive events (like those at Run the Wild) listen to music or podcasts, play games, or run for a cause. Be flexible and adaptable, and don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go as planned. Celebrate every run, every step, and every breath, and be grateful for the opportunity to run.
