Motivation comes pretty easy the first few days of the new year. Staying motivated? That's a little harder. 

Follow these five steps to ensure you keep your New Years Running Resolution.

1. Write down your goal

Make your goal more than just a vague bedtime thought. Write it down, type it up, print it out, stick it on the fridge. This helps give it visibility and substance. It makes it real. It helps you commit. But before you do, read step 2...

2. Make it specific

"I want to run more this year" is a not specific enough. 

Rethink your goal. How can you make it measurable and time based? How could you rewrite it so you can look back at the end of the year and say definitively whether you achieved it or not. It should be black and white. You completed it or you didn't.

Here are some examples of some specific goals:

  • I want to run two half marathons this year
  • I want my training to be more consistent - I will run at least twice a week
  • I want to be able to run a sub 45 minute 10k by the end of June 

3. Share your goal with your friends

Post it on Facebook, Instagram, Strava. Ask a friend to check in periodically to see how you're travelling. Or set a shared goal with a running partner. You're less likely to give up if someone's keeping you accountable.

4. Take advantage of social apps 

Log your runs in Strava. This gives you and your friends visibility on your progress. There have been many instances where I've decided to go out on a run because I know my progress is visible to my mates!


5. Enter an event

Find a running event. Look for a suitable distance, location, and sign up! Having a race in your diary that you've entered and paid for does wonders for your motivation. It will help get you out running whether you feel like it or not.

What are your tips for keeping your goals? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter