goals

The Power of Purpose: Why Having a Running Goal Changes Everything

For runners of all levels, from first-timers to seasoned marathoners and ultra runners, having a clear goal can transform the experience of lacing up your shoes. A running goal, whether it’s finishing your first 5K, breaking a personal record, or simply staying consistent with your training, provides structure, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment. Here's why setting a goal is so impactful and how it can elevate your running journey.

Nah, not THAT kind of itchy feet. The kind that inspires wanderlust and updating of the bucket list. The sort of itchy that sends us down a rabbit hole on YouTube, seeking out the ultimate in international events. The classics, the infamous, the ones we track year on year, imagining ourselves out there on the course in a foreign land. Would the terrain be the same, the crowds, the aid stations, are the rules any different? Would my gear suffice? How good would that medal look in my collection...?

Introducing one of our new panel of experts, professional coach Ian Waddell. As Wildrunner Weekly evolves over the next few weeks (watch this space!) we’ll be introducing a panel of experts who will contribute regularly, sharing their expertise in the field of local trail running, nutrition, environmental issues, wilderness survival, medical topics, the hottest gear, and international running news.

Who is Ian Waddell?

2016 might have been about getting into running or it may have been about hitting a new PB but 2017 is time to take on a race or two and test your skills against other runners. Planning your racing calendar early is important for a number of reasons, not only do races fill up rather quickly nowadays but you also need to make sure you space them reasonably so you don’t take on more than you can handle.

Jason Fitzgerald has put together 5 reminders to help create a well-planned racing calendar and help you achieve your goals.

1. Prioritize

2016 has come and gone. It may have been your best year of racing yet, maybe it was absolutely awful. Either way, January is the time to consider what you did right and what you can do to run faster in 2017. Start the year with Kelly O’Mara’s 9 ways to become a faster runner.

1. Set a goal

Many of us have goals we want to achieve in life but very few of us end up actually achieving them. Why, you ask?