Today’s Topic is: Five Fitness Goals to Accomplish Before the End of  2024

Ok, 3 months left to do this:

1.Run Pain-Free

I started out the year with a sprained ankle. Then on Labor Day, I had an accident which resulted in a head injury and bruised ribs.

I’ve thrown my 1000 mile yearly goal out the window.

2022 … maybe in 2025?

Now the total number of miles doesn’t matter, I just want to enjoy my runs and races without feeling any aches and pains.

2. Continue my YMCA workouts.

I started going to the gym in March of last year (for free) and then officially joined that July.

Being honest, I don’t enjoy working out but everyone seems to think it is important.

When I was in town, I did go THREE times a week.

Then I got hurt and I stopped going.

It’s time to return to my workout schedule (once my rib pain disappears).

3.Do some scenic local hikes.

Not having Mondays off had me slacking off and I really do enjoy hiking.

I hope to get a few in before it snows.

twinning with my hiking buds

4. Finish one more Half Marathon

My unofficial goal was 75 before 75.

I will turn 75 in 2028. (Yup, I’m on track.)

I’ve already completed 69 and my 70th is coming up tomorrow!!

Oct 12, 2024

Each half marathon I complete seems to get harder.

Due to my recent accident, this one may be the hardest… at least it’s part of a fun weekend with friends.

the 2023 gang

5.Complete the NYC Marathon for the 3rd time.

Until September, I had high hopes for this race.

I wanted redemption from last year.

Now I just want to reach the finish line!!

And get that damn medal!!

Happy Running! What are your fitness goals for the rest of the year? 

1.Find a friend or a group.

It is so much easier if you don’t run alone.

2.Wear the right shoes.

Go to a running store and try different pairs.

3.Do not worry if you have to walk.

You are still a runner!!

4. Do not set elaborate goals.

You will get discouraged if you set a time or distance goal right away.

5. Sign up for a race.

It will keep you motivated. You will meet other runners. The enthusiasm is contagious at a race.

Happy Running! Do you have any others? Did you get good tips when you started running? Please share.

1.Eat spicy food the night before a race.

I don’t recommend trying this…

pizza or pasta is my go to…

2. Wear something new on race day.

You shouldn’t but I have.

new shoes…

3. Go out too fast in a race.

Who hasn’t?

4.Wear the race shirt on race day.

I have never but I do see many runners who do this.

blue shirts!

5. Over training.

This could result in tired legs on race day.

Santa Clarita HM!!

6. Ignoring an injury.

Running when you should be resting or seeing a medical professional.

smiling with a stress fracture?

Happy Running! Do you have anything to add? Have you violated any of these rules? Please share.

Every runner is different. Every race is different. And so my version of training is probably different from yours.

And I think there are many variables to take into account when we talk about training:

1. Is this your first race at this distance?

If it is, I would recommend any of the following options:

• • Follow a training plan.
  • Join a running club
  • Get a coach
  • Read some blogs
  • Join some social networking groups
  • Google 🙂

For my FIRST 5k, I joined No Boundaries, a running program sponsored by a local running store.

some NoBo friends

I downloaded the training plan from the website of my FIRST half marathon and followed that.

Hey, I finished!!

And of course, for my FIRST marathon, I downloaded a plan or three, got advice from others who had run the race and joined a FB group for the race.

26.2 miles!!!

2. What is your goal for the race? Do you even have a goal?

Do you want to try for a PR, have a course PR, run negative splits or maybe win an age group award?

Or do you just want to finish?

Are you running the race just because your friends are or is it part of a vacation?

My recommendation for training with a goal in mind would be the same as if you were running that distance for the first time.  Plus most likely, your plan would include a variety of drills. What kind of drills would depend on your goal and maybe even the race course and surface.

Many times, my training related to a goal is not worry about anything but enjoy the race and enjoy the runs up to the race.

It is still training in my book because I do complete my runs.  I just may not wear a watch or keep track of my pace.

just a weekday fun training run

And then there may be a race where I do want to do my best and try for a course PR.  In these cases, I have joined a training group.

my Freihofer Run for Women training group

3. Is it a long race or a shorter distance?

Of course distance is relative.  For someone who runs ultras, 13.1 may seem short.

For me, I consider long, any race that is a 15k or longer.

Personally, I do not train for races that are shorter than a half marathon.  In fact, many of my shorter distance races have been part of my weekend long run.

For longer races, my philosophy is to make sure you do your LONG runs.  How I do that is work backwards from the race date.

Half Marathon – 8/10 miles, 12 miles, 11 miles, 10 miles, etc.

Of course, where you start your long runs varies.  That will dictate how many weeks you need to train for the race.

I personally do not pay attention to my weekday runs.  I do them and they are squeezed in (3-4 miles) depending on my work schedule.

I was able to complete the NYC Marathon doing it this way.  But then again, my goal was only TO FINISH.

I did it!!

4. Are you injury-prone (or recovering from an injury)?

No one wants to be injured.  Sometimes they are unavoidable (like a fall) but either way, they impact your training for a race.

My tip for training when injured or recovering from an injury (unfortunately I have experience in this area) is to cut back in your training.

See a doctor.  Do the PT exercises and what else is necessary so you can do your race.

Don’t worry about your training.  Let go of any race goals.

You can skip runs and long runs in this situation.  You will not heal if you keep to your plan (as if you were healthy).

got to run the NYC half even though minimally running for 5 weeks before due to calf injury

As I have said above, there is no ONE way to train.

I bet that your training has changed as you have run different terrains, different distances and as one ages and becomes a more experienced runner.

I know mine has.

Happy Running! Do you have any other training tips? Please share.