This is the first year I won’t be reflecting on my previous goals or setting new ones. I’ve always loved setting goals, but this year reminded me that a year is a really long time. So many things can happen to throw us off track. At the end of this year I “revised” my goals and made them short-term. This was more manageable, but I also didn’t feel as much pressure to stick to them. For some people, goals are really important and help them to be successful at what they want to achieve. I think for me, it adds undue stress because my Type A personality likes to accomplish everything I set out to do.
I’m not even going to look back at my goals for 2016 as I write this. I don’t want to feel like the year was unsuccessful. It certainty wasn’t. By focusing on all the things I didn’t achieve I feel like it would undermine all the things that I accomplished. Instead, I am simply going to reflect on what I learned this year and how I changed along the way.
Reflections on the Past Year
Thinking back on the early part of 2016, I probably needed more of a break than I realized. I had completed a marathon in November 2015, and took some time off from racing, but was still trying to keep up with long runs and other workouts. When I wasn’t progressing the way I would have liked, I became frustrated with myself. I started adding in some workouts to prepare myself for a 10k in April and the first month or so was a real struggle.
The spring was pretty successful with 3 PRs. (I already wrote about that in my Year of Running post). After race #4 I ended up with a relentless foot injury that lasted well into the fall. All summer I was fighting it, and I think it was a mental battle more than anything. Logically, I couldn’t understand why it happened and why it wasn’t getting better. I still don’t know the answers to those things, and I have learned that sometimes these problems just don’t make sense. Those months forced me to slow down, really learn to listen to my body, and let go of some of my own expectations of myself.
When I finally started to just let go of it all, I started to see real improvements. I don’t even know how much I can attribute my recovery to PT (although I’m sure that helped), it really seemed like there was more to it than that. From October through December I ran without caring how far or fast I went. There would be random days where I “noticed” my foot, but rather than get angry and frustrated all over again, I just let it be. Sometimes that meant an extra day off from running, other days I did run but just did what I could.
Last week I finally got back to running in the double digits. This wasn’t something I felt like I should do before the end of the year, but after I finished I thought about how great it was to be able to end the year with a strong run. I think the Lisa of 2015 would have set a goal to run 10 miles before the new year, and would have ended up forcing myself to do that even if I wasn’t ready.
Intentions for 2017
So my intention for 2017 is to be able to carry over this training style and mindset. I want to be able to continue running and enjoying it. Maybe that will involve training for more races or maybe it won’t. I still have time goals I want to achieve but this year has taught me that I would rather run 3 slow miles feeling good than fight with myself to run a specific workout. If I could figure out a way to prepare for a race using this laid-back style that would be great. However, it’s so new for me that I would fear getting caught up in my old ways.
2017 is a blank slate and anything is possible. I’m excited to be looking back on it in 365 days or so and seeing how it turned out.
Did you work towards goals in 2016?
What do you want to accomplish in the new year?
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I’m linking up with No Guilt Life, MCM Mama Runs, and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run, Rachel, Susie, Lora, and Debbie for the Coaches’ Corner
You had a year much like my 12 months from Feb 2015-Feb 2016–high highs and some long and drawn out lows. Like you, I came back with a new attitude–just love to run, and let it build from there. I think that mindset will take you very far (wherever you choose to go) this new year!
I think this is a good attitude to have, I just hope I can bring it with me into the new year!
Sometimes it’s fun to just run because and not have a goal time/distance. Great job on the double digit run. Hope this year brings you more enjoyment in running regardless your pace or distance you do while doing it injury free.
Thanks! I definitely agree that sometimes its nice to run without a goal in mind.
I always shy away from year end/new year posts because I stick to my plan pretty good year round. But I really like your idea of removing year long goals And making them smaller. You are absolutely right that so many things can change over 12 months. I think this is great advice.
I also do my best to stick to my plans but I find it more beneficial to work on short term goals. That way you’re not committed to something for a whole year!
It sounds like you have a great goal/intention for 2017! I think you should read Brad Hudson’s Run Faster from the 5k to Marathon. The book talks in depth about how to train while adapting everything to make sure you stay healthy and feel good. It made a huge difference for me shifting to more laidback training!
I actually did read that book last year but I might need to read it again! Thanks for the recommendation!
I was happy just to be able to finish a half after too many months of knee-induced agony/surgery/pain/recovery/impatience. I have finally found a chiro who has made more progress with me in 2 months than I’ve had since all this mess started years ago, and for once I’m looking forward to a year of….dare I say it…..PROGRESS. PR’s would be great and those are the ultimate goal, but if they don’t come, that’s okay too. Just the fact that we can move and breathe and enjoy our life are goals enough in themselves.
I really hope you have a great year with lots of progress and PRs! Long term injuries like that can be such a frustrating process.
I think it’s great to have time goals, like you said, but not to put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve them this very moment. My favorite runs are those where I have no pace/distance in mind, I just run.
I agree that those time goals are important but this year has taught me that running is about more than that! I am hoping that eventually I will still meet my time goals but without as much pressure as I usually put on myself.
I am not a goal setter and have no idea at all of the races I will run for 2017, if I run any at all! Right now I am not even in the mood to think about it but figure so long as I keep up my routine, it really doesn’t matter. I am sure I will want to run a race at some point though!
I won’t be signing up for any races right now either- I would rather pay a higher price and know that I can definitely run it than sign up now and have something happen before then!
I’m gonna take a similar approach to 2017. I have races on my calendar, and a lot of miles I want to run…but I’m gonna focus on the fun aspect of running and let the “technicalities” be less significant. After a busy year (with some frustrations), I’m ready for some care-free time in my running shoes. Happy 2017!
That sounds perfect! I hope you have a great running year with lots of enjoyable miles!
I really love your mindset for next year! I am a similar philosophy in that I want there to be better balance in all areas of my life. I hope to achieve that by not planning to run a marathon and by only having one key race on my schedule for the fall. That should mean the rest of the year outside of the fall race training cycle I should be able to focus on other things, while still running consistently and keeping a decent base. I want to continue running and just enjoy it too!
That sounds like a great plan! I hope that you are able to find that balance and enjoy running!
You make a good point- a year is a long time and anything can happen! Runners like us who have experienced injuries know that better than anyone. I think learning to love running in a laid back manner is such a GIFT. I personally don’t always want to be “GO GO GO REACH GOAL GET BETTER”. Yes, that is nice, but that can’t be us all year long if we intend to be healthy and happy. Being content with just running for “fun” is a gift because I think the yin and the yang are so important.
I definitely agree! I think its easy to get caught up in the goal mindset when we see it all over the place on social media, but for most of us its not realistic. I love working towards a goal but it becomes frustrating where there are always things (like injuries) getting in the way.
You sound so mature and wise! Well, you always have been, but even more so now. I hate being mature but life is a lot healthier and much more simple when we don’t complicate things by having a big pout. You typed out “letting go” a few times and that’s something I am passionate about! It’s the hardest thing to do, but as soon as we do it, we’re rewarded with things we never imagined possible. Your post is a good reminder for me to let go in regards to my running. I needed to read this today!
I dont like to be wise and mature but hopefully it will lead to better outcomes! I have such a hard time letting go especially when I have had my mind set on something and when things are not going my way. My biggest issue is my need for control and when I realize I can’t control everything if stresses me out. Im hoping I can learn to just enjoy running without trying to control every aspect of it.
I’m very much in the same boat as you, I plan on keeping 2017 open. I’m excited for the possibilities but I’m not locking myself down with goals.
I think its a good mindset to have! I hope you have a great year!
I struggled right along with you this year. It was really tough, after having such a great 2015, to continually fight injuries. I’m glad I have answers to my injuries and I’m glad I get to run. For 2017, I need to be easier on myself, to let go of expectations, and be happy with what I can do. Running continually teaches us things, and that will be my lesson for the next year!
Yes, definitely! This was a tough year but there were alot of lessons learned that we can carry over into 2017.
While I didn’t have to deal with an injury, I can relate to what you went through this year because I feel like I’ve learned better what works for me and what doesn’t. That’s the important thing! I’d love to hear more about your how you might create your training based on that laid-back style if you choose to go that route.
Running is all about learning what works and doesnt work for each of us! I will definitely continue to share my training especially if I am able to do so without following a strict plan. I think I could manage it for a half-marathon, but not sure how it would look for a full.