Happy New Year! Do you have big running goals for 2017? Whether the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run is your spring goal race or one of many awesome events on your calendar, we want you to be healthy and strong when you line up at the start so you can be smiling when you reach the finish line.

Since it’s that time of year, we’re sharing our New Year’s resolutions for runners  to help you make 2017 your best year ever. 

Heather wants to stay injury-free

Sara wants to improve her nutrition

1. Eat only recipes made from the “Run Fast East Slow” cookbook by Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky, with the hope that eating healthier will make me a faster, less-injury prone runner.

2. Stay out of physical therapy by doing core and hip strengthening work and attending the MedStar injury prevention clinics!

3. Pace a marathon to give back to the running community.

Holly wants to PR a 5K

Holly’s resolutions:
1. Run a 30 minute 5K–I need to shave about 3 minutes off my time!

2. Run 300 miles for the year–focusing on running 25 miles a month as a smaller goal.

3. Join a local running group in Michigan & run with them at least once a month.

Adam wants to have more fun running

Adam’s resolutions:

1. Focus on the process. It’s all too easy to sign up for a goal race and constantly think about the time you want to run, the big workouts you need to do to get there, and all the other big picture thoughts that can build up anxiety and overwhelm.  I want to focus on the process to alleviate those thoughts . What do I need to do today, to become the runner I want to be tomorrow.

2. Have more fun: It is very easy to get wrapped up and forget about the simple joy and fun of running. Having more fun to me means trying new things like more group runs, trail runs, and/or different types of workouts.

3. Be a better me.  As a running coach, I know there are things I should do to improve, but I don’t necessarily do them  Being a better me means following through. If you want to do things you’ve never done before, you have to do things you’ve never done before.

Elizabeth wants to run fearlessly

Elizabeth’s resolutions:
1. I want to run even when I feel uncomfortable, or feel pressured, or when I’m scared of things going wrong.
2. I resolve to run fearlessly and with gratitude and fight the dark side.

Coco wants to find balance  

Coco’s resolutions:
1. Be more careful with my nutrition, especially on business trips.
2. Balance my training with cross-training and strength training.
3. Remember rest days are essential to a successful training season.

Kim wants to look forward, not back 

Kim is learning to manage hallux rigidus, and has lost her fitness base in the process. As she makes her comback, she finds it hard not to compare herself to where she used to be.

Kim’s resolution:
1. I will be accepting of where I am and look forward rather than back.
2. I will focus on what I can do rather than what I can’t do.
3. I will remember how lucky I am to be able to run at all.

What are your running resolutions for 2017?