My 2025 Running Year in Review: Goals, Races, and Progress

As the year is coming to a close, I’ve been taking some time to look back on my 2025 goals, races, and the progress I’ve made. While it wasn’t a perfect year, I did make some progress with my running and I feel like I’m on the right path for a successful 2026. My 2025 running year in review explains which goals I achieved (and which I did not) and the lessons learned and progress made this year.

2025 Running Year in Review: A Look Back at My Goals

I always like to set running and life goals at the start of a new year. I go into the year knowing its ok if I don’t achieve all (or any!) of my goals, but I think it’s important to have something to work towards. Last year I set goals related to running, fitness, parenting/family, work, coaching, and blogging.

I’m not going to share all of my goals and progress (there’s quite a few!) so I will stick mostly to my running and fitness goals.

The Running Goals I Set for 2025

I based my goals for this year off of where I left off at the end of 2024. My goals included running 1,600 miles (I ran over 1,400 in 2024), running a sub 22:00 5k (In June 2024 I ran 22:00), running a marathon PR, and running a half marathon under 1:45. I also wanted to strength train twice a week and do drills once a week.

Races I Ran in 2025

I ran 4 races this year: the Frederick Running Festival Half Marathon, Baltimore Ten Miler, Charles Street 12, and Richmond Marathon.

My Running Progress in 2025

I did not accomplish any of my running goals in 2025. But that doesn’t mean it was not a successful year!

I ran about 1,550 miles this year, which is over 100 miles more than I ran in 2024, and pretty close to my goal of 1,600 miles. In January I had to take about 10 days off from running due to COVID, so if it weren’t for that I might have hit 1,600 miles.

I didn’t run any 5ks this year. Nothing worked with my schedule this year, and I was focused on the half and full distances.

I did not run a marathon PR. I know this one would be a long shot. My PR is 3:41 from 2015. I ended up training for around a 3:45 but just felt awful on race day and ran a 3:57. This year I realized I am just chipping away at my postpartum times!

I ran one half marathon which also didn’t go well. It was super humid on race day and I wasn’t acclimated. I also wasn’t feeling well. I think it it weren’t for those factors I could have ran under 1:45.

This year I did consistently strength train twice a week! However, my drills did not always happen.

Lessons Learned During My 2025 Running Year

I think this year was a reminder that sometimes race day just doesn’t go your way and there’s not much you can do about it. My best race was the Charles St 12, which I signed up for at the last minute.

I also learned that progress takes time. I am focusing on long term results through consistency and staying healthy.

2025 also showed me that the process of training can be so much more rewarding than a single race. I really enjoyed my training cycles this year, even though race day didn’t give me the results I wanted.

What’s Next in 2026

I’ll be spending some time really figuring out my goals for 2026 and thinking through what I will need to do to achieve them. Here is what I am thinking so far.

Running Goals for 2026

Stick with the 1,600 mile goal. I was pretty close this year, and this seemed like a good amount. If I am running consistently I think this is doable- and consistency is the goal.

Stick with the 1:45 HM goal. Again, I think I could have done this in 2025 if I had better conditions on race day and wasn’t sick. I’m just not sure when I will try for this. I am doing a half in March but it’s hilly and in the middle of marathon training, so not sure if that will be a good day for a goal race.

Adjust my marathon goals. I think I need to continue to chip away at my times- maybe aiming for sub 3:50 next. Getting back to a sub 3:41 is a bit ambitious.

I am not sure if I will do a 5k, but I want to make sure I work on speed this year. I’ve noticed that it’s been harder to run faster paces as I’ve been focusing on longer distances.

What I’ll Do Differently Next Year

One thing I want to work on in 2026 is mindset. I get very anxious before races and also tend to give up on myself as soon as a race gets hard. There are some strategies I have for working on for this so I just need to come up with a plan to make it happen.

I also want to keep working on my cadence and form, and try to get to the bottom of why my piriformis gives me trouble during races.

Overall it was a very successful year and there’s not much I will do differently! To be honest, it’s my goals in other areas of life that I really need to work on. I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store!

Did you accomplish 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.