Setting Fitness goals for 2025

December is such a fun month for setting goals. I tend to finish up my “races & adventures” in November. Then I spend December making plans for what I want to do the following year. I get out all my notebooks, colored pens, and fitness calendar so I can start organizing the upcoming year. I look back at the previous year plan, and “grade” how I did in all areas. Every year I learn to set more realistic goals & expectations for myself.

I believe I can do anything I set my mind to, but I also have to be realistic on what I am willing to make time for.

My 2025 adventure and race goals

Crown King 50k- 6500 feet of gain in about 20 miles of the race. This will be my second time back. Unique race course, cool vibe and LOVE the old saloon finish line. Looking forward to seeing Kyle Braund & Ed Scheer tear this course up this year.
Lost Dutchman Half Marathon- this course is by my Dad’s house in Apache Junction. It is a road race, but it has beautiful views of the Superstition Mountains, and I love the vibe and local support. I would love to do the marathon here, but when I look at my calendar I realize that the long runs needed to properly prepare fall on weekends that I am working putting on races and other events. A half marathon is realistic on what I can be well prepared for.
Arizona Adventure Trip to Sedona (Crew Boss)- Kaleb and I are putting on our second Crew Boss Sedona trip in May!
Western States 100 Adventure Trip to Lake Tahoe- the OMR crew is going to States! We are volunteering for trail maintenance & at Rucky Chucky!
Barkley Fall Classic- the race that Laz famously wants to make so hard that very few can finish. I gloriously rode the “Bus of Disgrace” in 2024, and coming back for a finish in 2025
Javelina Jackass 32k- Hartwig family tradition to run this race with my kids. So proud of how well my son did the race last year. He loves to soak in the aid stations, and makes himself a buffet of food at every stop….but he still manages to run this race course faster every year.

Where do I start in setting goals?

I love a paper calendar. I keep this next to my work desk. It helps me see the weeks quickly passing as I am getting closer to race day, or an adventure trip that requires my fitness level to be high. Besides the calendar, I go back and forth between writing my own schedule, or working with a running coach. Having a coach works best for me, because I know I have a tendency to try and build up too fast. I know how to write a well balanced training plan, but do this better for others than myself.

One on one personal coaching is a great way to go. This gives you access to a coach that can answer all the questions that arise in training. They can adapt plans for you based on work, family, travel, or anything that may come up. Running coaches LINK

There is also group training plans. These are written by professional running coaches and meant to be adaptable for any runner. When you purchase one of these you will be sent a multi-week of training plan. These are budget friendly. This is the what I am doing currently. LINK

What should be in your training plans:

Rest & Recovery- do not be too hard on yourself. Resting is just as important as showing up for every one of your runs and strength work outs.

Endurance building- consistently showing up. Every week, be consistent in your training. Do not skip runs. Find a way to show up for yourself. Endurance will be a different distance for all runners. Find what is right for you.

Speed work outs- it does not matter if you plan on running a 16 minute mile half marathon. Working on speed makes your “long easy runs” feel easier and they start to get faster when you incorporate speed drills. I find speed work outs to be fun. A good running coach is full of ideas for “speed work outs”. I love a progression run, or creative tempo, there is so many fun work outs that can be done. I aim for one hard speed day, and one light speed day.

Strength- powerful legs, strong core, and overall body strength will go a long way for you on race day or your hiking adventures.

Race specific workouts- if you have a mountain race coming up, and you live in a flat area. Find creative ways to add some hills to your training. Training for a Boston Qualifying time at a marathon, then practice running those paces on a similar terrain as you will find on race day. These will help your body fitness as well as give you mental confidence on race day.

Nutrition- I have good fueling habits, but I am constantly rebooting myself. It is easy to sway off track if you are not intentional in fueling your body well. I am starting 2025 off with a 25- Nutrition Challenge put on by my friend Irene from GetUFit.