- Out: Not reflecting on where we came up short
- In: Having that dog in us for round two
We gathered a group of our long-time homies to take a moment of reflection before setting our sights on the next cosmic trip around the sun. As one of the wisest beings to ever grace a galaxy far, far away once said, 'The greatest teacher, failure is.' So with that great Yoda-ism in mind, our friends share the lessons they’ve gleaned from their personal misses in 2024, before turning their eyes toward the horizon of tomorrow.
EMMA BATES, MARATHONER
On the surface, it felt like a year of unchecked boxes:
- Contend for a spot on the Olympic Marathon Team
- Improve my Top 5 performance at the Boston Marathon
- Break 2:20 in the marathon at Chicago
Though I didn’t make the marathon team for Paris, I learned so much about my resiliency and drive for growth. I conquered the setback demons and now I know I can take whatever comes my way head on.
I didn’t crack the Top 5 at the Boston Marathon, but finished as the top American and cracked open a Modelo at the finish line. Thus realizing: you don’t have to run your fastest time to still celebrate!
Sub 2:20 still lives to see another day. Glad to have it as my big, scary goal to shoot for yet again in 2025.
If 2024 has taught me anything it’s that I don’t need to check a box to achieve success. Success is often only truly understood when the dust settles. It’s about finding joy and victory within yourself given any outcome.
JOE HALE, PHOTOGRAPHER
Goals I didn’t accomplish: Having a morning routine.
Being a freelancer it’s often hard to stay accountable on a routine. I’ll sleep in one day, and then that becomes a habit, and then the day gets away. Coming into 2024 I definitely had intentions of trying to get up earlier and start my day but definitely failed on that one. Getting up from 7-7:30 daily will for sure be on the list for 2025.
Sleep is important, but getting up early and knocking out a task sets me up for a productive day, and otherwise I’ll be lazy and lethargic.
HABS CHENEY, YOUNG GUN
In 2024, I set a goal to run under 2:11 in the marathon but didn’t hit it. In fact, I only finished one marathon all year, the U.S. Olympic Trials in February. Looking back, I realize the real issue wasn’t just missing the time—it was setting the wrong type of goal. I was so focused on the outcome that I overlooked the importance of enjoying the process and building consistency throughout the year.
The experience taught me that success comes from being process-oriented—focusing on things like showing up every day, improving execution in workouts, and racing more often to gain experience and build confidence. It’s easy to get caught up in a single goal, but real growth happens when you prioritize the work and find ways to enjoy it.
In 2025, I want to approach things differently. My focus is on racing more, having fun, and staying consistent. I know the results will come when I’m fully engaged in the process and enjoying the journey.
TIM ROSSI, DREAMER
For as long as I can remember I’ve had performance related goals in running, and because I was new to the sport that progress came (relatively) naturally. You obviously need to work, but if you stay healthy you should be getting faster year over year. Well, 2024 was the first year I didn’t PR in any distance. But for half of the year running took on a very different role in my life, and that perspective was really helpful. I love this sport, whether I’m improving or not, the simple act of going for a run brings me a lot and I know I’ll stick to running forever because of that. But the perspective I’ve gained also showed me that I do still care about trying to maximize my potential, and 2025 is going to be getting back to that. Not because I need to but because I want to. Our year
KARA DUDLEY, COACH
I had a goal this year to run sub 5 in the mile, sub 1:20 in the half, and sub 2:50 in the marathon - instead I ran all of those times pretty much on the nose instead of breaking them
It reminded me that getting obsessed with the numbers is meaningless, and helped me let go of an obsession with the nitty gritty details, and pay more attention to my fitness, how I felt, and effort. I’m so glad I didn’t break them because what I learned from it was 10x more valuable.
MALCOM EBANKS, ATHLETE #1
I haven’t completed the Doctoral degree I started years ago. I aimed to finish during the spring of this year but that didn’t occur. There have been times I felt like giving up, but I move forward, much like in running, I have learned to be kind to myself.
JOE GREER, GOAL CHASER
2024 was one of the more challenging years of my marathon journey. It was the second year in a row without getting a PR in the marathon. It all started in Boston this past April when the Newton hills and warm conditions humbled me deeply. Ran my worst marathon to date. That was such a beautiful, eye opening experience for me. I had cut some corners in that training block and paid the price. Even though it was the worst marathon I’ve run (and walked) so far, I was encouraged with what I learned along those hard 26.2 miles all the way to Boylston street.
Fast forward to the fall when I tackled the Chicago marathon for the first time. I was eager to run a flat course & secured my second fastest time by missing a PR by :22, running a 2:37.09. This was a hard one to swallow because I had run more miles and worked harder than any other marathon build before and was expecting big results. I learned a completely different lesson with this one… a complete absence of any strength work in my build up proved to be the culprit to my hamstring calling it quits at mile 20.
But unlike in Boston where my mental game spiraled as the physical wheels fell off… I didn’t, I didn’t panic. I was able to remain composed as my pace started to slip. And while I didn’t hit the PR, it was the most proud I’ve been for myself in a race, even knowing I had so much more I could’ve given. But such is the marathon game. Excited to see what 2025 brings. The learnings no doubt will be applied.
