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The Runner’s Guide to Setting Goals That Actually Stick in 2026

December always seems to spark the same mix of excitement and pressure. We start thinking about fresh starts, big dreams, races we’d love to sign up for, and the version of ourselves we want to grow into by next year. Runners are great at dreaming big. We’re not always great at choosing goals that actually stick once real life shows up with busy schedules, surprise curveballs, and the days where motivation slips.

So let’s talk about how to set goals that feel meaningful, sustainable, and doable for the everyday athlete. The kind of goals you’re still excited about in March, not just on January 1.

Why So Many Running Goals Fall Apart

Most runners don’t lose steam because they're unmotivated. It usually comes down to choosing goals that don’t match the life they’re living or the runner they’re becoming. Maybe the goal sounds impressive, but it doesn’t align with your daily habits, your schedule, or your deeper reasons for wanting it in the first place.

Sometimes we jump straight to the finish line without building the foundation underneath it. Other times we pick goals because we feel like we “should,” not because they spark anything inside us.

And when the hard weeks roll in, those goals wobble.

Your Why Is the Anchor

This part gets overlooked all the time. Every single big running goal has a moment where you question it. Long runs drag on, workouts don’t go to plan, race-day nerves spike, or life steals the energy you meant to give your training. That’s where your why kicks in.

When I stepped away from running a few years ago, it was my why that eventually brought me back. Not a race. Not a pace. The deeper reason behind why I even wanted to run in the first place. That same why guided me when I came back stronger, built consistency again, and found joy through trail running and ultras. Once you reconnect with what running gives you, it stops being about checking boxes and starts becoming part of who you are.

So when you think about 2026, ask yourself:

Why this race?
Why this distance?
Why now?
What do I hope running brings into my life that goes beyond the finish line?

If your why is strong, your goal has legs.

The Journey Matters More Than the Destination

Outcome goals have their place. It’s fun to circle a race on the calendar. But the destination alone won’t get you there. The journey will.

Try thinking about goals in three layers:

Outcome goal:

Run a half marathon.
Set a PB in the 10K.
Finish an ultra.

Process goal:

Run a set number of days a week.
Strength train consistently.
Build a morning routine that supports your training.

Identity goal:

Become a runner who shows up even when it’s messy.
Become someone who takes care of their body.
Become the athlete who trusts their training.

Identity is what sticks when motivation fades. Process is what carries you. Outcome is what celebrates the work you put in. All three need each other.

Set goals by focusing on the journey rather than the destination

Build Habits That Keep You Moving

Big goals don’t require big actions every day. They need small habits that you repeat often enough that they stick. Think about habits that take five to ten minutes, but shift your training over time.

A few simple ones:

Lay out your clothes the night before
Do five minutes of mobility
Add one strength move at the end of a run
Journal your training to spot patterns
Take a quiet moment before a workout to reconnect to your why

These tiny steps matter. They’re what make the harder days feel possible.

A Simple Framework for 2026 Planning

If you’re looking for an easy way to start setting your 2026 goals, try this:

1. Choose one outcome goal.

Just one. Not five.

2. Break it into two or three process habits.

Things you can actually do each week.

3. Define the runner you want to become.

That’s your identity goal.

4. Check the alignment.

Does your life support the goal you picked? Does your why connect to it?

5. Start small.

January doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be consistent.

If you want a deeper way to walk through this, I created a 26-page 2026 Goal Setting Workbook that helps you sort through your goals, habits, reflection prompts, and planning in a way that feels supportive rather than overwhelming. It’s available for $30 $15 and it’s a great companion for this kind of work. Save 50% using the code NEWYEAR

Here’s to a Meaningful 2026

Your goals don’t have to be flashy to matter. They just need to reflect who you are becoming and the life you want to build. Running gives us structure, joy, challenge, and community. Let your goals reflect the parts of running that matter most to you.

If you set goals that match your why, build habits that support your training, and give yourself space to grow, you’re already on your way to a stronger year.

When you're ready, let’s set the tone for 2026 together.

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