5 essential runner resolutions for 2016

Get your goals in order with these 5 essential runner resolutions for 2016.

As the end of 2015 draws closer and you start thinking about what 2016 brings, isn’t it time cast your mind to new resolutions? Whether this means running your first 5K or fuelling properly for that marathon, the New Year is the perfect time to set yourself some new goals that you can stick to. So to give you a steer, we’ve pulled together 5 runner resolutions for 2016.

Keep it REAL and consistent

If you know you can stick to a training plan that incorporates six days of running for at least half an hour a day, then good for you. Otherwise, be realistic about your training plan. Whatever your goal, take a good look at your diary and think about how much time you can really commit to training. It’s better that you commit to running for 45 minutes twice a week than cramming in six sessions a week and then not doing anything for another six weeks. Diarise your training, adapt it to what suits you that week, but most of all try to keep it realistic and consistent, and you’ll find it a whole lot easier to stick to.

Run for fun

You’ve signed up for your first marathon, you’ve written a rock solid training plan that you know you can stick to but have forgotten about one important element – running for fun. Remember why you first got into running. The thrill and enjoyment of exploring the countryside, hitting the trails or simply running with friends. Make sure you include one of these activities at least once a month to take the seriousness out of this hobby. From local Parkruns to 24-hour relays, with so many opportunities out there to mix it up and have fun with others, why not make running for fun a resolution? After all, running is brilliant, but even better when you can enjoy and share the moments with others.

Rest more

As in don’t forget to put your feet up once in a while. There’s no point in battering your body and pushing yourself too hard as this will be detrimental to your training plan. The best preparation for any race is good healthy food, enough training and sleep. And we cannot emphasise the sleep enough. You know what they say: ‘early to bed, early to rise makes the runner speedy and wise…’ (well they don’t, but you catch our drift). Don’t skimp on the shut-eye and give your body the room it needs to repair and recuperate. You’ll see and feel the difference, we promise.

Don’t ignore niggles

We’ve all been there. You feel a slight strain in your hamstring, your ankle is aching a bit, your knee is twitchy, so what do you do? Keep on running of course. No. No. No. Ease off on the running and get it checked out. It may not seem serious at the time but if you don’t get it sorted, the problem may escalate. Yes, it’s frustrating having to take a little time off but better that than having a major injury that will take months to heal. Stick to this resolution and you’ll be far better off in the long run.

Don’t be a slave to the watch

While there is nothing wrong in clock watching, it can sometimes be beneficial to run naked (as in without gadgets). This will help you get to know your own pace and what it feels like to run without the pressure of having to run ‘X minute miles’. By all means make use of some of the fantastic tech out there, but don’t become a slave to it as a runner. Get the balance between timed runs and getting to know your pace and you’ll become a more mindful and overall better runner. Make it a resolution to run at least one session without a watch and use this time to concentrate on what’s around you – living in the moment.