031 ☼ Is running without a goal possible?

Or is it stupid? Or neccessary?

Welcome to my email newsletter 'Never not [thinking about] running' - a weekly newsletter about running and mental health. If you haven't subscribed yet and you're not sure whether you really want to receive an e-mail from me on every Tuesday, have a look at the archive. Todays newsletter is about goals in running, if you need a goal and how they could look like. Like last week I made a video, talking about making a running journal.

How it all started

Think back to your first run. Do you remember what your goal was at the start of your running career? Maybe you finally wanted to do more sport, lose a few pounds, run a half marathon or simply understand why so many people go running. What fascinates so many people about running?

It's something like the origin of your running. Why you probably lace up your shoes again and again. In the best case scenario, you simply enjoy running. It's no longer about completing a particular race for the first time. You no longer question running.

Easy answer?

So the initial question in this newsletter could simply be answered with "no" and I wish you a good week, but of course there is more to this question. Can you run just for fun? Or do you need SMART goals for running to make sense at all?

Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

For example: I want to take part in a 5-kilometer race (Specific), I want to achieve a target time of 17:30 minutes (Measurable), which would mean that I improve my old best time by at least 2 seconds (Achievable, I think). 5 kilometers is my main discipline (Relevant) and the whole thing should be done this year, preferably by the end of September (Time-Bound).

This is probably the approach of many runners. I want to achieve a target time by a certain date. Period. But is that necessary? Do I need that? That's a question I asked myself again and again after I canceled the UTMB. Experience tells me that I don't necessarily need it for my running, for motivation and for my enjoyment of running. As I've often mentioned here in the newsletter, my running year consists of two phases.

Living in the northern hemisphere

The winter season and the summer season. A lot of things are difficult in winter, but I still go running if I'm not ill, but overall there's no chance of achieving records anyway. It's a completely different story in summer. From May onwards, I'm usually fit, the good weather casts a spell over me, my running shoes come on by themselves even in the height of summer and if I feel like it, I take part in competitions. And the results come in naturally. The fitness comes in naturally. Because I feel like it. I'm up for short runs, long runs, fast runs, runs with intervals, runs to the limit, recovery runs. The main thing is to run.

And the right sessions come almost automatically, without me having to work towards a sub-17:30 minute 5-kilometer run. That comes naturally. As a rule. A real luxury. Running is always fun in summer. Ok. I’m overexaggerating. Of course I’m complaining also in summer. You will see.

Still no answer to our question

But, do I still need goals for the summer? Absolutely, but it probably won't change anything about my training. In fact, a target time for me is sub-17:30 for 5 kilometers. If I could dream, maybe sub-17:15 minutes. I will try to do that this summer, but I won't just be happy if I achieve it. Running also brings me joy. It's actually simple.

Compared to the last few years, however, I'm going to mix up the races a bit. Last year I only ran 3K or 5K races, but this year I'm going to sprinkle in a 10K race or a half marathon. I'm actually pretty happy with my PB for the 10K, I'd like to improve my half marathon PB, but as I said, it's all relaxed, no pressure, it'll come as it comes. I will report here.

What about you? Do you have SMART-goals, or do you just love running with some friends or on your own to get your head cleaned up?

Video Department

Another video with me talking about my plans of making a running journal. How will it look from its physical appearance and what will be inside of it content-wise.

Mental health update

I think I had a gastritis the last week and this made me feel frustrated.

Running update

Managed to run 3 times. Was ok. Gastritis took me out of the game. Besides that, heart-rate went down in general. Summer.

The end

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