Prairie to Peak Running

2025 is nearly upon us, and I couldn’t be more excited. This past year has been a roller coaster of many more highs than lows, the highlight being the birth of my daughter. 2024 was also filled with many changes and a few big decisions. I pushed myself to keep running as a staple in my changing routines, and held onto it as I found balance as our small family grew. I am still in postpartum recovery, but I am pleased with my progress and have thankful for the consistency that I was able to keep.

A new year is always exciting for me; it is a time to restart, refresh, and refocus. While we often jump to make big goals and strive to introduce new habits or routines, often sticking with what is working is what sticks. The consistency we built in the previous year should be carried over into the next. As we make new goals, maybe it is as easy as being more consistent with the training you are already doing, or sticking with a new strength routine you tried out last month. Perhaps it is actually eating those gels you packed for your long run, or hauling out the Skratch drink mix from the back of your cupboard to try out before your big race.

An impressive few long runs, or a huge mileage week isn’t the secret to getting you across the finish line feeling strong and accomplished. While it may help, it is the consistent hard work and focused runs that will be your most powerful tools. Looking to see what you are already doing and continuing to be consistent with it, or evaluating what you have been aiming to promote from a ‘sometimes activity’ to an ‘I-do-this-frequently activity’ may be the small key you need to help you reach those lofty race goals you have this upcoming season.

As you look to the new year and consider resolutions and goals, keep the goal of consistency on your mind. Then, reach out to a friend to be an accountability partner, hire a coach to construct a training plan for you, and/or write your goals down where you see them everyday. Don’t change what is working – most likely you are already on the right track to ultimate success!