At the start of 2025 I set some running intentions, and similar to last year I thought it would be good to check in halfway through the year. This helps to keep me accountable and is a good opportunity to make adjustments as I head into the second half of the year. While things have not really gone as planned, I have made alot of progress this year. Here is my 6 month check in on my 2025 running intentions.
Summary of 2025 Running from January to June
If I had to summarize the first 6 months of the year, the theme would be illness. In January I got COVID, then in April I got a bad stomach virus while traveling, and May and June were filled with allergies and 2 colds. I felt like I strung together some good training in February and March before things fell apart.
I also started off the year (around the time I had COVID) with some top of foot soreness that my chiropractor thought was from lacing my shoes too tight. Due to that and being sick I took about 2 weeks off from running in January. While my foot recovered quickly, returning to running post-COVID was hard. I felt like I had lost all of my fitness. My heart rate would sky rocket at the start of an easy run. It took a few weeks to even begin to feel normal again.
I ended up going back to my PT who I had been working with last year to get dry needling for my piriformis which tends to act up around races. I’ve decided to continue going once a month or so to work on my areas of weakness and tweak my running form. I’ve been trying to increase my cadence which has been challenging!
2025 Running Intentions
Run 1600 Miles for the Year
At the halfway mark I should be around 800 miles, and I am a little behind. This is probably due to being sick and also tapering/recovering from races. I may catch up later this year thanks to marathon training, but it’s not a goal I worry about too much; having something in mind just helps me to stay on track.
Run a sub 22:00 5k
I haven’t raced or done a 5k timed trial this year since I focused on the half-marathon and 10 miler distances. I feel like I have lost alot of speed. I’ve considered finding one this summer to do but I am not sure if that will happen. This may be something that has to wait until next year.
Run a Marathon PR
I haven’t run a marathon yet this year, but I am planning to run Richmond in November. I likely won’t aim for a PR. I started out 2025 coming off a strong fall marathon but I think it would be a big jump to aim for a PR after the way the year has gone so far. So I will likely come up with a more realistic goal once I start training.
Run a Half-Marathon Under 1:45
I ran a half-marathon in May and I think my training showed I was capable of around a 1:42-1:43. However, I ended up being a little sick on race day and the weather was also warm and extremely humid. I ended up running a 1:49.
Strength Train 2x/Week
I’ve kept up with my strength work all year, other than when tapering for a race. This is just part of my routine now.
Complete running drills at least once a week
Why it this one always so hard for me to be consistent about? I’ve done better with this than in past years but there have definitely been some weeks that I did not do them.
Other areas of progress this year
I’m doing everything I can to set myself up for success this year. I’ve been using the Run My Life journal every morning, I started working with Laura as my running coach again, increased my protein intake, started taking daily creatine and collagen, and have been better about mobility work. I think that eventually I will have a breakthrough, but whether that is in a few weeks or a few years remains to be seen.
Overall it has been a decent year. I’m just hoping that I can stop getting sick so that things that finally come together!
How have you done with your running intentions this year?
You may also like:
Running Goals To Keep You Focused Without A Race
How to Taper for a Marathon Correctly to Achieve Your Race Goals
5 Strategies for Achieving Your Running Goals this Year
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
You’ve had so much thrown at you this year, and yet you’ve kept showing up and adapting. Huge credit to you for that!
Quiet progress like consistent strength work and form tweaks really adds up. I struggle with a tight piriformis too, especially after speedwork. Maybe I need to take a closer look at my cadence as well.
Here’s hoping the second half of 2025 brings fewer bugs and more breakthroughs. You’ve definitely laid the foundation, Lisa!
Running really does come in cycles and have its ups and downs. Looks like you are doing all of the right things. That piraformis is a doozy and for me never really went away completely
I think you’re doing great…Hope the 2nd half of 2025 goes as planned.
I think I started out well but the mileage has declined but no injuries so I’m ok.
Girl, you have been through it! You have some great intentions, and it seems like you’re in the clear. Wishing you all the best as you crush these goals!
It’s so hard to keep up with intentions when you get sick! You’ve been doing a great job in spite of that. Keep it up!