From Miles to Milestones

Last year, I embarked on an ambitious mission: to run 2500km within the calendar year. To a casual onlooker, this might seem daunting, a veritable Everest in the world of recreational running (ok, maybe not that difficult .. but for special effect on some audience). But to someone with a marathoner’s spirit, it felt like a thrilling challenge, achievable with the right mindset and strategy.

As the year wrapped up, I found myself falling just shy of the goal with a tally of 2476km. Undeterred, I geared up once more, resetting my yearly target to that same aspirational 2500km for the current year.

Now, I’m projected to end the year with 2454km, a few strides short of my set target, so I need to adjust. You might wonder, “Why stick to the 2500km target?” Well, if you’re contemplating running a marathon or going even further, the answer isn’t so much about the 2500km as it is about the journey to get there.

The real magic lies in the intermediary milestones—the stepping stones to your greater objectives. Be it preparation races, structured marathon plans, or even the habitual closing of fitness rings on your Apple Watch, these seemingly small victories are integral in propelling you towards your grand goal.

Each week, I aim for a consistent 50km. A deep dive into my running records reveals a fascinating shift from last year—my runs are shorter but more frequent, suggesting an increased focus on sustained fitness rather than long-distance endurance. Sure, having a marathon race set for autumn and a good training plan in place helps a lot – that’s my plan now and I count on my determination to train properly – the miles will come for sure. For now, it’s the weekly target that provides the momentum and the engagement to continue on this journey.

Linking this to our everyday lives, it’s essentially the development and maintenance of habits. The persistence in closing those fitness rings, striving for that daily 10,000 steps badge or ticking off each short-term target – they’re not just marks on a checklist. These are habits in the making, each contributing to the larger goal. Sure, having a marathon race set for autumn and a good training plan in place helps a lot – that’s my plan now and I count on my determination to train properly – the miles will come for sure.

To my fellow recreational athletes, remember that each small victory is a milestone that brings you closer to your goal. Whether it’s a habit you’re nurturing or a fitness target you’re pursuing, every step counts. The road to 2500km doesn’t begin with a leap—it starts with a step, a habit, and a milestone. Let’s step up and step out, one habit, one milestone at a time.

Happy running!

PS: I tried to motivate the change with new devices/gadgets (like in the previous years) .. it didn’t worked so far :).

I’m expecting more from Garmin/Polar/Suunto .. as I see the prices rising every year, it seems that they expect more from me as well 🙂