Over the years I have had many goals. My running for sport and fitness was probably the majority of them. They all sort of started off as distance and time goals. One way or another I sort of reached them all. Achieving them just sort of set myself off on the next goal, no real celebrations or magical rewards. It did not take long before I worked out the goal is only a very small part of what I should have been trying to achieve. Sure it is important to set a goal right, not so hard you never get there but also not so easy that it ends up meaning next to nothing. It is great to have something to be working towards but for me it is now more about the process and really enjoying it because if its all just about the goal after you get there you might just end up straight back where you came from.
Without really enjoying the process I just kept making the goal bigger 5km to 10km, then 21km to the marathon. After the 42 kilometre marathon it was a 100km Ultra run/walk and even an Ironman triathlon. After each goal especially the big ones I ended up pretty broken and would take weeks to recover.
I just could not keep making my goals bigger, longer or faster, I had to reaccess and adjust to something more sustainable and enjoyable especially as I got older.
Now my goals have a much more holistic approach and need to focus on food, recovery and sleep as well as just the physical workout.
