Resolved: Set Goals!

New Year’s Resolutions.

It’s that time again. The gyms will be bursting at their seams again for about four weeks, as hordes of people try to get rid of excess weight. Unfortunately, the majority of them will have given up by the time February comes round. Fortunately, we are runners, and therefore already fit, slim and healthy, aren’t we?!

New Year’s resolutions will do the rounds in our circles nonetheless, so here are a few suggestions:

• Set a mileage goal for 2008. No matter if it’s 500 or 300 miles, try to beat your 2007 marker, but remain sensible. Don’t double your mileage in one go.
• Involve your family in your next race. I don’t mean let them stand shivering in the freezing cold while you zip by. I mean take them for a weekend to a race a bit further away, and make a family break out of it.
• If you have children of the right age, get them involved in running. Share a mile or two with them, obviously at their pace, not yours. Don’t use any pressure, chances are they will enjoy running with mummy or daddy and will soon ask to come again.
• Do you want to run your first marathon this year? Great, welcome to the club. But don’t wait with your training until it’s too late. Even if it’s for a fall marathon, start running twice or three times a week right now. Cold? What cold? It’s not cold if you’re running (ok, maybe in Minnesota it might be).
• Set a time goal for a distance, be it 5k, 10k, or a marathon. Remember that in running, you will get out of it what you put into it. You won’t break that 40 (or 50 or 60) minutes 10k by hoping for a miracle. Steady, consistent training will get you there, though.
• Have fun. Running is neither out profession (apart from the odd elite runner) nor is it a chore. It’s simply one of the best ways to keep fit and healthy, as long as you’re sensible.