Welcome to a world where every step tells a story, that of your aspirations, your dreams.

Today I invite you to explore the crucial importance of goal setting in the world of trail running and running. Whether you are a novice runner looking to get started or a veteran looking to push your limits, this article is your guide to reaching your personal best.

1. Why is Setting Goals Essential?

In every runner's development, setting goals is not just a task, it is a compass that guides you to success.

Studies* in sports psychology show that clear and well-defined goals can significantly increase motivation and performance.

It’s not just the achievement of these goals that matters, but the journey we take to get there. Goals allow us to measure our progress, celebrate our successes, and learn from our failures.

Motivation and Direction

Measuring Progress

2. Diversity and Personalization of Objectives?

Trail running goals are as varied as the runners themselves. For some, it might mean breaking a personal best over a specific distance, while for others it might mean finishing their first race or running regularly for health and well-being.

The important thing is to choose goals that resonate with your personal motivations and that push you out of your comfort zone while remaining achievable.

3 types of goals can be useful:

• Performance Goals: Improve your times, run a certain distance, etc.
• Health Goals: Improve cardiovascular health, lose weight.
• Participation Goals: Participate in certain races or events.

3. The Goal Setting Strategy:

The key to setting achievable goals lies in the acronym SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound.

This involves setting clear goals, being able to measure your progress, being realistic about your current abilities, choosing relevant goals, and having a timeline for achieving them ( Set a deadline for your goals. )

For example, rather than setting a goal of "running more," it would be more effective to aim for "running three times a week for 30 minutes."

4. Maintain Motivation and Keep Resolutions?

The start of a new year is often a time when we set fitness resolutions. To keep them, it's essential to break big goals into smaller, more manageable sub-goals.

Regularly tracking progress is also crucial – whether through a running app, a training log or even a simple calendar.

Flexibility is important; if a goal becomes unrealistic, adjust it without feeling guilty.

Finding a running group (Runners Anonymous will be happy to host and support you) or a training partner can also provide valuable support. Finally, remember to celebrate every small victory, because every step counts in this journey.

5. Some final recommendations for your training:

• Equipment: Choose shoes that are suited to your stride and the terrain you play on, and wear fun clothes that you enjoy wearing.
• Nutrition: A balanced diet is crucial for performance.
• Rest: Rest is as important as training.

In conclusion:

Ultimately, goal setting in trail running is more than a sport – it’s a personal journey towards self-discovery and self-improvement.

With these tips, you're not only equipped to succeed, but also to enjoy every moment of your running journey.

And then... Don't forget to take a look at our selection of trail running equipment to help you achieve your goals. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🌲

NB: *A Systematic Review of Goal Setting Interventions to Improve Sports Performance - March 2021