A few weeks ago I shared some of my plans for making improvements in myself as a runner in the upcoming year. At that point, I didn’t have any specific goals such as race times so my discussion was very broad- but still extremely important. I’ll need to use those goals as a means to reach my bigger goals. Over the past week as I have my reflected on 2014 and read others’ posts about their goals for 2015, I’ve been pushing myself to set some specific goals like I did last year. I thrive off having a plan and a schedule, so right now as I am not training for anything I am feeling very lost.
On New Years morning I went out for a long run. I ran 15 miles on the first day of 2015. I had a lot of quiet time to think about myself as a runner and a person and consider what I want to achieve in the next 12 months. I listened to a podcast about setting marathon goals. I thought about my goals for last year and what would be reasonable yet challenging to work towards this year.
I came home from my run in a very relaxing mindset, and after a warm shower and some food, I sat down with my new journal.
I had heard great things about this journal but its even better than I could have imagined. The key will be that I use in consistently, so hopefully I can do that. There is a section on goals and a page to jot down some of your intentions, what you want to achieve, how your want to feel, etc. I let me mind go and just wrote. I find myself noting things like “stay healthy and strong” , “inspire and help others”, “relax”, and “enjoy the process”.
I also wrote some of the bigger goals that I have been too scared to say out loud. I want to run a sub 1:40 half. I want to BQ. I want to PR in the 5k and 10k. I want to run more miles and race more.
The time goals don’t need to happen this year. I think we have been putting so much emphasis on 2015 as an amount of time to get things done, but why do those 12 months have to mark the amount of time we have to achieve something? Wouldn’t it be better to work as long and hard as we have to, and reach our goals happy and satisfied? I realized that this time frame may have been what was holding me back from defining my goals. I don’t know what 2015 will bring, and life doesn’t always go as planned.
The other thing I realized was that goals shouldn’t be determined and set on one day. We should be adding to them, adjusting them, revisiting them regularly. This also helped me to get over my fear of setting my goals. Just because I want to do something on January 1st doesn’t mean it will be important to me 6 months from now.
My goal-related goal is to keep track of this stuff so that as the year goes on I can check in and at the end of the year it will be easier to see how I did.
Next steps: Come up with a potential race schedule, choose a book to read, and make my 1/2 marathon training plan—> preferable all while holding a plank.
Can you relate to the pressures of time-limited goals?
Do you usually adjust your goals as you go along?
I’m linking up today with Jill for the Fitness Friday Link-up.
I’m also linking up with Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed up for What for the Friday Five since the theme is 2015 goals (although I couldn’t keep it at just 5!)
I’m also adding this post to the Tuesdays on the Run link-up with April, Patty, and Erika for since the theme is 2015 fitness goals!
I agree that setting an arbitrary time limit to reach a goal defeats the purpose of the process of getting there. I want to see myself working toward what I want rather than necessarily achieving it. If I know I’ve given my all it’s more satisfying regardless of the result. Great post 🙂
Agreed! I also think Im more likely to give up on a goal if I set a time limit. I would rather keep long term goals in mind allowing myself to make smarter choices along the way!
I am not big on setting goals, making resolutions etc…That being said, as we run more and run more races, I think it just naturally happens that we strive for certain times, to reach certain goals. I think we need to just go with it and try for it, based on our bodies and how long/fast it takes to get there rather than going by a clock ticking, you know? I never cared about my race finish times, until I starting running those races again the year after. Then, suddenly, I was like, wait- I need to finish faster! better! lol.
I definitely know what you mean! And I think I go through phases with what motivates me and lately I have felt like I need more specific goals. This year I wanted to set big goals but also allow myself to change them up if thats what makes the most sense for me.
I love what you said about adding to your goals and intentions! I think that’s so true! You have to adjust and change as you go along. Hope your 2015 is awesome!
Exactly! I hope you have a great 2015 as well!
I think I have realized that setting a ton of time limited goals is just not for me. I am too finicky for it, and I have learned that life just needs to be what it is. I try to work towards one major goal at a time, so that I can give it my focus! But you are far more organized than I, so you are good to go!
Well I have no idea how I will do with all of these goals but my problem is usually that once I set a goal I feel like I must accomplish it. This it the first time I have allowed myself to change them up or take as long as I need. I have realized that I need something to work towards, but the timing may not always be right and other things may get in the way.
I agree that goal setting is not a one time event – they should definitely be revisited/revised every 3-6 months or so (priorities/life change). I look forward to following you this year as you work towards a BQ!
Exactly!- a year is a long time to expect things to stay the same! I think its very helpful to adjust goals as you go.
Wow, those are some awesome goals! Can’t wait to see how they all pan out!!
Thank you!
good job with the goals and kudos to a 15 mile run to start 2015! I like having goals and deadlines that is just the way I work but you do need to visit them so you can twink them if necessary. Goals should motivate not make use feel bad if we fall short 🙂 Cheers to 2015!
So true- and that is exactly what I was thinking when I wrote this post. I love having something to work towards, but I also need to remember that they can be adjusted as necessary.
There is always such a focus on goals at the beginning of the year and then you rarely hear anything about them later. I agree, it is important to constantly re-examine things throughout the year and there isn’t anything magical about 2015, it’s all a process. Good luck in reaching your goals, they sound like really good ones!
I know! I am always impressed when I come across bloggers who check in on their New Year’s goals each month or quarter, or even halfway through the year! If I want to achieve my goals this year I know I will need to keep checking in on them!
Yay! I love your goals! What a fantastic OMG run on New Year’s Day!
Setting a date for when you want to accomplish a goal
Has a way of putting a lot of pressure on you and the goal. Sometimes it can feels limiting to me too! I have the believe journal too, and I use it everyday-it’s awesome!!
So far I love the journal, and I think it will be a huge help in keeping me motivated and tracking my progress towards my goals!
We also got journals for the new year! I can’t wait to start using it.
A fresh journal is the perfect way to start out a new year!
Love these goals! I typically adjust my goals along the way since it’s easy to set a date before you start, but things don’t always go the way you planned. I like to leave room for a little flexibility so I’m less stressed out.
Yes, that is so true! I feel much better about my goals knowing that I have some room to adjust them and to take as long as I need to reach them.
Totally agree – the Jan-Dec boundary is purely arbitrary, and really has no meaning. Personally I had no regrets that my original 2014 goals needed t shift for the reality of my family and schedule. No worries, right? So I love that you are thinking a similar thing – these are things you want to do. You will work hard to achieve them, and it might not happen this year or even next … but with the amazing year you just had I have no doubt you’ll make it happen, and I can’t wait to see it 🙂
It definitely makes sense to set an intention for the year but to give yourself the flexibility to adjust as needed. Part of it I think is coming to terms with personal priorities, and figuring out a balance that works for you in your life. Right now I think that I can comfortably work towards these goals, but if later in the year life gets too hectic, I know I’ll need to reevaluate things. And who knows, maybe I’ll decide that I no longer care as much about certain goals- and I think thats ok too.
I agree. I always find I need to adjust and set new goals. I even try to set one big goal at a time sometimes and work to that. Then I set another. Especially when it comes to running stuff.
I think its so important to be willing to be flexible with running goals or to set more than one. Ideally we will reach a goal and be able to set a new one, but often times it doesn’t work that way.
Great goals! I think many of us put too much pressurebon oursleves to hit time goals on races. Next week when I run Goofy I am running it w my sister so I feel no pressure. It’s going to be just a fun experience!
Its so important to make sure that running stays fun!! I hope you guys have a great time next weekend!
We have very similar running goals! Can’t wait to lean on each other/learn from each other in 2015 to accomplish our goals 🙂
Me too! 2015 will be a great year!!
I haven’t set any major goals yet this year but my husband and I talked about a few personal goals we are going to work on. Like spending less time on our computers/iphones and more time being present. Which can be harder than it seems!
That’s a really great goal..something I should work on as well. Its probably much harder than all of the other goals that I set!
I definitely adjust my goals as my training goes. It’s kind of like you never know what you can achieve until you start putting the work in to do it! I get anxiety about time related goals, however, those are usually the ones I set for myself, so go figure. 🙂
I agree that time-related goals can be the most stressful! But I think part of it is that you only get a few chances to reach that type of goal each year (especially for longer races) whereas other types of goals you can work on consistently throughout the year.
I think defining goals at one point is to help get them going. I definitely always reassess and reconfigure as time goes on – adding or removing as necessary.
Exactly- its nice to have something to work towards but its important to be willing to change things up as needed!
I love your mentality that the time goals don’t need to get done this year. Great point that goals don’t HAVE to be met in the set time frame of 2015!
I will definitely be adjusting my goals this year–I plan to run my first marathon this year, but since I’m having a baby at the end of March, I’m going to have to adjust that!
It sounds like you have some really exciting things happening this year! Best of luck to you and it sounds like you are being smart about your goals:)
I completely agree that big goals should not be limited to a set time frame. However, I do like to set smaller goals each month, some that work towards that big end goal. Its an ever changing process and these goals should be revisited and re-evaluated on a continuing basis.
Good luck and enjoy your 2015!
That’s such a good point! I also want to work on setting smaller goals throughout the year- maybe even at the beginning of each week!
Lisa, I love that you mention that our goals should be flexible, adjustable; I think that’s what derails a lot of folks who are new to goal-setting, especially when it comes to running. Don’t you just LOVE your Believe Journal? GAH! Where has this been all my life? 🙂 Would you mind telling me which podcast this is? Sounds great, and love to listen to them on my long runs! Great post! Hope you have a great weekend!
I am so obsessed with the journal!! I haven’t started tracking my workouts but tomorrow will be the first day I and can’t wait!
The podcast was on Runners’ Academy and it was called “Marathon times and goal setting” by Eric Allen and George Wu, posted on 1/1/15. I have heard a lot of great podcasts on Runners Academy!
Great post, Lisa! I love the goal of going back and revisiting the goals. I put that down as one of mine. What you said is so true, just because something is important to us now, doesn’t mean it’s going to be important to us later, and it’s silly just do something we no longer want to do, just for the sole purpose of checking it off of a list at the end of a year.
Exactly! I hope to stay focused all year on my goals but also adjust them as necessary- even if that means changing them up!
I love specific goals like this- and your realization that the time goals don’t all have to happen this year is really wise and balanced. I’m excited to see what 2015 has in store for you!
Thanks! I realized that there is no point in putting too much unnecessary pressure on myself, but its still ok to set goals and intentions for the year! I just hope to stay focused on them and adjust as the year goes on.
I love the goal of running 2,015 miles in 2015! It’s about 38 miles per week (yep, just did the math) which is doable!
I agree that time-limited goals are sometimes not as helpful, especially when they involve major lifestyle changes, like starting to go to the gym or eating healthy.
I think that the 2015 mile goal is doable as long as there are no injuries or other issues throughout the year! I can usually manage 40 miles per week comfortably but last year I took some weeks where I cut way back on running so I fell short of running 2014 miles. It would be fun to accomplish but its more important to me to stay healthy this year!
So many awesome goals – and with your strong foundation, I have no doubt that you can achieve them!
Thanks Laura!
I’m feeling much more settled after finally having a training plan to follow again, I work so much better that way also. Everyone has that journal, it’s making me really want one! I like the idea of setting goals and not having a time limit to achieve them; it’s way too much pressure. That’s why I don’t have resolutions for 2015, just goals I’d like to achieve and hopefully they will be within the year! Although my marathon goal does have a time limit since I already paid the money to register so I better do it 🙂
Well sometimes we just need to sign up for a race so we have something specific to work towards:) You should definitely look into getting the journal! Its really more than just a journal- theres lots of info and inspirational stuff too!
That looks like a wonderful journal! I’m more of an intention setter than anything else. I found that in the year I set my marathon PR, I PR’d all other distances except the half. My half PR came a couple of years later. I suspect that had to do with course and conditions though.
I would agree that intentions can be even better to set than goals! Its all about just staying focused of what you want and figuring out the best way to get there:)
Great goals! It is important to revisit your goals. Things change and life happens. Happy new year!
Exactly! Thanks, and happy new year to you too!
I got that journal for Christmas too and AM IN LOVE. Let’s get our BQs this year lady! I’d love to meet up and run sometime in Baltimore, esp since I need more motivation with this cold weather!
Sounds great! Now I need to figure out what my goal marathon will be:) Thinking I may wait until the fall, but part of me wants to do a spring one too so I have more than one chance to BQ this year! Keep me posted with your race plans/training schedule!
I have a time pressure goal of running my first marathon before I’m 30. There’s no rhyme or reason for it, I just feel like it’s something I HAVE to do before I’m 30. I also always want to chase PRs when I race. Otherwise I think, “what’s the point?” But that’s not a very good outlook and that’s something I’m working on to get more enjoyment out of running!
I think I could also work on running races more just for fun…since I want to race more this year I think I will have to learn to go easy for some of them! I’m now sure how old you are, but I think its a great goal to run a marathon before you are 30!
Love the new journal! You are totally right – the goals you have now you may not have in a few months. But for now it is good to embrace them and see where they go. Have a great weekend!
Exactly! I am thinking its more important to stay focused on what I want long term and if some of these goals change, then thats ok.
I look forward to watching you get a BQ!!!!
Thanks!!! Hopefully I will get there at some point, even if its not this year:)
thanks for linking up! i love this – so true. also, i have the believe journal and it’s amazing. excited to follow your progress!
The journal is really great! I think it will help us all to stay focused on our goals this year!
Your goals sound great! I love how you say that goals do need to be adjusted throughout the year. I look forward to reading how you reach your goals especially your BQ. Happy New Year’s!
Thank you! Im hoping that by checking in on my goals and adjusting them as needed that I will get where I want to be- and hopefully I will get that BQ also!
I love love the Believe journal! Now, like you said, I need to use it CONSISTENTLY!
Yes, me too! Right now I am all about my goals and writing things down and tracking everything, but I need to continue those things as the year goes on!
Awesome goals Lisa! I have no doubt that you can achieve them, especially a BQ! I can’t wait to follow along and see how you do 🙂
Thank you!
Nice goals for this year! I need to set flexible goals each year and, like you said, see what the year brings. I’m pregnant with baby #2 right now and, though I have a race or two in mind for next year, everything is dependent on the pregnancy, adjusting to having two kids, and to my body’s recovery! I love having specific races in mind to motivate me, but in this season of life, very flexible goals are required. That’s actually been a challenge for me because I like to have such set-in-stone goals set!
Very true and it sounds like you are very realistic about setting your goals and being flexible! There are many things in life that we can’t control and we shouldn’t view it as a failure if we don’t reach our goals due to life circumstances. Good luck with everything this year!
Great goals! It’s awesome that you really went for it with big ones that scare you! I love that you’re ready to adjust as you go because you’re right, we do change and things change and who knows what will be really important to you in 6 months. All the best in 2015 🙂
It can be scary to set big goals but knowing that they can be adjusted makes it a little easier:) Wishing you the best in 2015 as well!
Great post and I love that you ran 15 miles on the first day of 2015! You have great goals but the point about living them and adjusting them is really good!
Thanks! I really enjoyed doing a long run on New Years- it was a great way to start the year! And hopefully 2015 will bring lots of great things and lots of goals being accomplished!
AWESOME GOALS! I have a 1:45 1/2 as my goal… have you read What I Talk About When I Talk About Running? Would be a great Jan read while you’re planking 🙂
I haven’t read that! Thanks for the suggestion- I will definitely look into it!
I think that this is the natural progression for any runner. You run a race in a certain time after following a training schedule and start to wonder whether you could go faster, train better, race smarter. You’re right though – these goals shouldn’t be defined by a certain time. I feel like I have short, medium and long term goals. Short: run 5 days a week. Medium: PR in my half in March. Long: qualify for Boston. Big time goals can be a little scary – so breaking it down into more manageable sub-goals (increase mileage; do more tempo runs) makes it seem like it will be easier to achieve. PS Our marathon PRs are pretty similar and I managed to break 1.40 last year – so I think that will happen for you in 2015.
Thank you! And that is good to know! I love how you broke down your goals and I should try to think of mine in a similar way. I am planning to set aside a few minutes each weekend to review my goals and come up with mini goals for that week. Hopefully that will help me to stay on track!
Wow, I really love your thoughts on goal setting. I agree with you, why does something have to be achieved within a year? I find it is easiest to break a goal down into manageable steps to help me get there, rather than focusing on what that final outcome will be.
All great goals for this year. And I just bought that journal yesterday…can’t wait to use it!
I hope that you like the journal as much as I do! Breaking down a goal into smaller steps is definitely the way to go.
You’re right, it is important to re-evaluate your goals and regularly check in on them throughout the year because things DO change! You have some awesome goals…1:40 half marathon, wow! Who knew a journal could be so great? I keep hearing great things about that one!
The journal is way better than I expected! Hopefully it will be a helpful way to track my progress towards my goals throughout the year!
I so agree with you that being willing to adjust your goals as the year unfolds is important! You have some awesome goals! And isn’t that journal the best?!
Thanks! And the journal is so great!
I like defining my goals and setting a timeline. I also reevaluate as I move long the timeline. Right now I’m trying to work on a 5 year plan – where we want to be and how we are going to get there…
Thanks for sharing.
That’s really great! For a 5 year plan its definitely important to reevaluate along the way!