'Aim for the moon and end up among the stars' ... Unfortunately not quite the case with running.
Don't let that get you down, build motivation by setting effective running goals is not for the pros and elites only, it is easier than you think.
Setting goals is not just a way of making sure you develop as a runner. It also helps you to stay motivated. As you start achieving your goals, you build your own motivation and your running becomes more rewarding.
Here are a handful of useful guidelines.
- The most powerful motivator is a goal race or target event for which you have to train. Start there. Enter something today...
- The trick when choosing that goal event to enter, is to keep it challenging yet still achievable. Keep in mind that when you start being your own trainer, the distinction between optimistic and realistic tends to be a fine line! Don't enter a marathon if you've never completed a half, don't enter a half if you've never done a 10K...That type of thing. A great start is a Parkrun near you. It is a friendly, free, way to start with five kms. They time your events and you can track your progress over time.
- From race date, work backwards to today. From today, achieving that goal race (i.e getting to the start line in the shape you desire) only works when you make it specific and measurable. If you say you'll train in the mornings, does that mean rainy ones too?
- Make the plan to run on a regular basis. Achieving any goals will mean you need some kind of training plan, and for that you need to run on a regular basis, say three times a week. Keeping a log – digital or in old school print – is a good way to stick to your training plan.
- To start with, train to cover a specific distance. Don't be too concerned with your speed and just focus on covering a distance, such as 10 kilometers.
