I’m on track to make my New Year’s Resolution for 2018 by running 500 miles! Even with two weeks off from running in the beginning of November due to a chest cold, I only need to run about 10 miles a week in order to meet my goal. I’m trying to front-load that a little to give myself some wiggle room, aiming for more like 15 miles per week, but the math is promising! As I write this, I ran 7 miles on Monday and 3.9 miles today and feel great, so I’m optimistic that I’ll meet my goal without having to run a half marathon on New Year’s Eve (though that would make the champagne taste pretty good, wouldn’t it.)
I’m already thinking about my New Year’s Resolution for 2019. The past two years I’ve chosen goals that have been really rewarding, they’ve pushed me to embrace novelty and try new things (2017 trying 52 different fitness classes at the Equinox) and to work on consistency (running 500 miles in 2018).
Without a race on the horizon, I doubt I would have run 7 miles on Monday or hit the treadmill for an interval workout today. Finishing the 500 miles got me back into running after the cold derailed my running in November, whereas in previous years something like that combined with the onset of frigid temperatures would often lead to a hiatus in my running until spring. But running makes me happier, healthier and more resilient. I swear I’m more productive all day on the days that I run. So I’m glad this goal has me back in focusing on consistent mileage throughout December.
I have some ideas about what my resolution for next year will be… what are your goals for you? Will you strive for consistency, or novelty? What type of long-term goal will feel just challenging enough to be exciting but still achievable?
For some ideas on forming goals that you’ll love and then making a plan to meet them, check out my free e-workbook Form a Fitness Game Plan. I wrote it specifically for a fitness workshop I gave at a wellness retreat, and it’s the best of my thoughts on goals and finding one that lifts you up rather than bogs you down.