Written by Steve Jackson
Wow, another year coming to an end! In the business world it’s typically the time to review achievements, identify areas of improvement, and set goals for the next year. So hopefully we should take some time to assess how we did against our stated goals for the year.
Did you meet them? If so, celebrate! Think about what you did to achieve them, but also consider what more you could have done.
If you didn’t meet them, did you miss by a lot or was it “right there”? Think about why you weren’t able to achieve, was it due to factors beyond your control? For a specific race goal, did weather play a factor, was the course hillier than expected, did your nutrition just not sit right? Reflect on the accomplishments you did make along the pursuit of your goal.
Ok, reviews are complete. Goal setting is next. Last year we discussed SMART goals and this can still be used to help with documenting what we want to accomplish.
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Timely
We need to ask ourselves “What is it I want to try and accomplish this year”? Let’s look at three different types of goals: Performance, Variety and (for lack of the right word) Miscellaneous.
Performance is somewhat self explanatory, these would be achieving a certain time/pace for a specific race goal. It maybe to run a longer race or total miles in a year than attempted in the past.
Variety is more focused on integrating different types of running in our training. This could be adding trail running or track workouts. Also adding some cross training, such as swimming, biking, yoga, strength.
Miscellaneous opens up so many other things to try and accomplish that are running related, but also could be personal growth or team building. We can draw from some of the amazing things done by our club members, some of these goals may take more than a year to do:
Run in all the Massachusetts towns
Run a race in all 50 states
Host a SAD event
Map out a new route for the club
Be a race director
Develop a new team event
Get your “crew” to run a relay type race
Etc.
Don’t forget to reach out to anyone on the club to help with your specific goal, we are blessed to have so many who are willing to share in each other’s pursuit!
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