QT: When Setting New Goals, Look Back Before Looking Forward

As the clock ticks toward the new year, it’s only natural to start thinking of what’s to come in 2019.

When it comes to setting new goals, whether for the new year or new training cycle, many runners tend to rush the process a little bit.

Before we look forward to the future, it’s wise to look into our past.

You might just learn a few things that will help you be successful in the coming year.

How Was Your Last Year, Really?

Looking back at 2018, how was your year of running?

Did you hit it out of the park? Swing and miss? Solid, if unspectacular?

When looking back at your past year (or longer), it’s important to be brutally honest.

The last thing you want to do is lie to yourself about what happened.

Remember, the reason you’re looking back is to try and help you be more successful going forward.

There are lessons to be learned, so be sure to learn them!

Learning From the Past

Whether your past year is full of highs or lows, look at each situation to help you better plan your next year.

And don’t just look at the surface information like how many miles you ran or what kind of workouts you did.

Those things aren’t completely irrelevant, but they are hardly the most important lessons you can learn from previous training cycles.

Instead, look a bit deeper.

Look at your work life. Your family life.

Are there things that happen on a regular basis that allow you to be more consistent with your training? Or that have the opposite effect?

This information can be vital to help you put yourself in a position where you are giving yourself your best chance to be in peak form come the day of your goal race.

Don’t Skip This Step

Before setting new goals for 2019, I’m begging you to take the time to look back on 2018!

It really is important, and I promise you it’ll be worth the time it takes to look back through your notes/training log.

After you’ve looked back, then feel free to move ahead with finalizing your goals for 2019.

Not sure the best way to set your goals for 2019? I’ll have you covered in Friday’s quick tip!

Before setting new goals, either in the new year or a new training cycle, it is vital that you take a look back in time. #runchat Click To Tweet

How Did You Do in Pursuit of Your Goals in 2018?

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