Typically, this time of year, we start thinking about New Year’s resolutions and setting goals. As runners, it’s common for us to start thinking about what race to sign up for or chasing a PR. Sometimes, we set a goal to lose weight, or make more money. 

When everything changed in 2020, a lot of those goals went out the window. Many of us were left wondering ‘now what?’ Throughout the past year, we have worked on shifting our focus, switching gears and learning to be in the moment. I offer this thought: in looking back on this past year: for all the goals that didn’t happen, and all the races that got cancelled, and everything that has changed, perhaps it was always meant to happen this way. Because this is how it happened. 

The amazing thing is that despite the unknown of the future, we can take the power by giving ourselves the space to choose how we want to exist in the present. What if, instead of setting specific measurable goals like weight loss and faster marathon times, we set goals to honor our bodies? To exist in the present moment? To adapt and adjust as we go?

For example, one of my personal goals is to set aside time to daily connect to my own body and mind in meditation. The more I connect my mind and body together, the more aware I can be of what my body needs on a daily basis. Rather than focusing so much on specific pace times, I can listen to my body and how it feels. Maybe my schedule says to run a speed workout on Tuesday, but on Tuesday, my body tells me that it needs a nice and easy run. Then, on Wednesday, I feel the extra energy I need to run my speed workout. There is a fine balance between forcing yourself beyond what is healthy and safe for your body, and leaning in to the challenges of training and adaptation. 

Another example of a personal goal is that I am no longer setting my alarm. After over fifteen years as an early morning runner, setting an alarm almost daily to fit in my dawn patrol run, my body has gotten accustomed to the dark o’clock wake up call. As my personal running goals have changed, my need to always be running by 5:30am has changed too. I have learned to accept and embrace that my body enjoys waking up early sometimes. And sometimes it wants to sleep later. Making plans for an early morning run is awesome. And I love it when my body wants to wake up to run. And often it does. But I don’t force it to. Sometimes, my body needs more sleep. And I am honoring that request from my body, so that I can receive the most out of her each day. 

 Listening to and honoring your body may be exactly what you need to achieve your destination goals. And your body knows that exact right time and effort it needs in each moment.

What goals can you set in order to honor your body and intentionally connect your mind and body in the present?