If you want to be successful in achieving your running goals, you need to have some kind of a plan. Follow these 10 steps to reach running success.
1. Set Goals
Goals must be challenging, yet achievable.
You should have short term goals that you can achieve in 3-6 months e.g. running 60km per week, and long term goals that you can achieve in 6 – 12 months ie: run a PB marathon or run my first marathon. Still Struggling? Enter a race!
2. Get support
Hire a coach, join a running group, go run a time trial or club run. Interact with fellow runners to help you through the journey
3. Set up a realistic training programme (ideally with a coach)
Most of you have demanding work lives and you need to find a balance to get the best of both worlds.
4. Commit to training
The proof is in your logbook!
5. Stick to the plan
Adding an extra unscheduled session a week before your race can have detrimental effects on race day. This can throw your fatigue level and form out the window.
6. Progression – Challenge yourself
Think of your goal as climbing a ladder. Set smaller goals on your way towards your big goal. For example, First I must run a parkrun without walking. The next progressive step would be to run the first 4km and increase the pace over the last 1km.
7. Stay Focused and committed to your goals
You may not reach your goal on the first, second or third attempt. Don’t give up! It took me a year and a half of failed attempts before I ran my first sub 90 minute Half Marathon.
8. Celebrate
Take a hard look at those improvements and accomplishments. You did them! Be proud and take time to celebrate your achievements, they were very important to you.
9. Your health always comes first. Your goal second
My motto in my early days was faster, fitter, stronger and winning is everything. My motto these days is – Live, to run another day.
10. Fuel and support your body
Eat the right foods for your body to maintain a high training regime. Supplement your training with stretching and strength. Take a REST DAY if you are tired, even if it’s supposed to be a training day. Listen to your body.
Michelle Coach Mee
Michelle Coach Mee is an ASA certified coach with over 30 years of Road Running, Duathlon, Triathlon and Cross Country experience. She has also represented Gauteng and South Africa for various athletic disciplines. Read more about Michelle here.
