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When you’re a runner with a big, breakthrough goal in mind like a Boston Qualifier or a personal best, it’s tempting to try to get there as quickly as possible. Maybe it’s a BQ this fall, that huge PR in your next half marathon, or a strong return to racing six months after having a baby.
I get it, of course. Like you, I’m motivated to achieve great things. And even if you’re not a pro runner aiming for Olympic teams, goals sometimes have specific deadlines. For instance, my goal of running a BQ for 2025 requires a qualifying time by next fall.
But as a coach, my favorite athletes to work with—and in my experience, the most successful—take a different approach. They’re looking a year down the line, or more. They come to me saying, “I have a big goal, and I need support, accountability, and a progressive plan to get there.”
These athletes have big…
