In and out lists, resolutions, KPI's... Getting prepared for the new year can feel overwhelming and we're not here to make it any harder. Two truths and a lie from Coach Steve Finley on how to think (and not think) about structuring your 2026 running goals.
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Truth 1: You are the main character. Your year is your year and it is truly a blank slate. Ask yourself: what do I want to explore about my ability? Where do I want running to take me? Who do I want to go there with? Why am I doing this? How will I keep it fun? Take inventory of what, how, and why you want to do things in 2026.
Truth 2: You can measure your progress in a dozen different ways. Sure, you can see how fast you can run a marathon or count your weekly mileage, but what about how fast you can run the 400m on your local track? Or how many pull ups you can do? How many states, countries, or continents did running take you to? How many friends did you share miles with? Set your own standards of measurement and craft your year to achieve those goals.
The Lie: There are places you need to be in 2026. While it is fun to be at the World Major Marathons or UTMB or other extremely well-covered moments by the brands (guilty) and other channels, these are not the only thing going on in the sport. And moreover, these moments don't necessarily correlate with where you're at in your journey/life or how you want to expand your running universe. Seek out mid-majors and random races, go spectate at Millrose Games if you can, etc. Let your goals, measurements, and passions guide your journey.
