From all who did the survey, 100% indicated that a Running Goal was important and necessary.
WHY? A goal - a personal goal gives you the reason why you are getting out of bed.
A goal teaches YOU to commit and have faith in a Training Program. It's that simply - follow the training program completely and faithfully and YOU will end up on the start line, perhaps with butterflies in your stomach but also knowing YOU have done the BEST you can to that moment. YOU will be ready to participate in your choosen event.
BUT how do you make it stick? Running week in week out - you get busy, you get sick, the kids get sick, you are tired, you get scared.........
SEEK PEER PRESSURE - have a running date with one person or a group
REWARD YOURSELF - along the way - when you hit a milestone, your first 5k or running three day a week for a month - give yourself a new pair of running socks, or a massage
ACCEPT BAD RUNS- if you acknowledge that every run is not going to be great, you will reduce your frustration! Run with a KIND MIND - accept how you are feeling on the day, be in the moment. On tough days, slow your pace, take walk breaks or shorten your run. YES, you can!
ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE- stop comparing yourself to other runners. Thinking you should be running as many kilometres or as fast as your running buddies will only bring unnecesssary pressure on yourself. Instead, focus on the accomplishment of every run. That is, I got out of bed, put on my shoes and I moved!
THE GOAL - you need a goal that's personal and means alot to YOU. There is not much point simply choosing a goal because my running buddy said "come on, lets do this". A goal will only be your top priority if its important to you and your values. Find meaning for your running goals
