New Year.... New Resolutions..... New Runners - Welcome

[u/brwalkernc]

It’s that time of the year….New Years Resolutions and the desire to get healthy

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For all you new runners looking to get healthy:

Welcome! This community can answer your questions.

• Here's the section in the FAQ for beginners (which can also apply to returning runners).

• The two biggest pieces of advice that you will find here is to try Couch to 5k if you've never run before and to be sure you don't try to run each time as fast as you can.

• This resource is linked in the sidebar/top menu and may have some info you can use as you get started (or back into) running to give a guide on building mileage.

• This post gives an overview on the rules as well as a list and description of the subs recurring threads.

• This megathread is our yearly post on tips/gear for winter running.

• Take some time to the search the sub and browse the daily Official Q&A thread and you will find plenty of tips for getting started.

In addition, feel free to ask any questions here that you might have about getting started. No stupid questions here...ask away.

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For you current runners:

It’s the end of the old year and a new one coming up.

• Did you achieve your goals/resolutions this past year?

• What did you learn in 2024?

• What goals or resolutions do you have planned for 2025?

• And to help out the new runners coming, what advice do you have to offer a runner just starting out?

[u/darkhorse0607]

Be less injured

That's it. That's the goal. And thanks to 2023 and 2024 it should be a low bar

[u/suchbrightlights → u/darkhorse0607]

This is my goal every year and I also always think it’s a low bar and…

Best of luck to you!

[u/darkhorse0607 → u/suchbrightlights]

You too! May your tendons and bones be strong

[u/ohnotexas]

My goal this year was to run 1000 miles. As of 12/27, I am at 1031. This has been my first full year of running (I started June of 2023). I ran my first marathon and first trail race this year. I learned that I love long distance running and I am looking forward to working up to ultra-marathons soon enough.

In 2025, I am running another half marathon, a trail 25k and the Berlin marathon. My goal is to PR my marathon and hit 1200 miles for the year. My main focus this year is to have fun and not get injured.

[u/beepboop6419]

2024 resolutions (F, 20s):

• ✅ get a sub 30 5k (current PR is 26 minutes as of August, so I'm likely a lot faster now)
• ✅ run 1,000 miles (ran almost 1,200)
• ✅ get a sub 1 hour 10k (didn't race a 10k this year but I've hit 6 miles in under an hour multiple times during random workouts)

2025 resolutions

• sub 6:30 minute mile
• sub 24 minute 5k
• run at least 1,500 miles
• stay injury free
• run six days a week for the majority of weeks out of the year
• weightlift no less than two days a week the majority of weeks out of the year
• increase protein intake and get more of my carbs from fruit and vegetables (not oily McDonald's French fries😔)

[u/Redditdotlimo → u/beepboop6419]

Goal 4 is the best one.

Sounds like you made great progress!

[u/thenailer253 → u/beepboop6419]

Excellent goals, good luck!

[u/bluegrassgazer]

I feel like I've been slacking so much lately that I'm essentially a new runner again. I did complete a full marathon this year and ran a few more races, I learned that I really need to be training for something to take my running seriously, but with two teens involved in sports it's difficult to find the time. Now that one of them is driving, I hope to get my mojo back. I'm going to sign up for a spring half marathon and train seriously for it.

Advice for new runners: Getting out the door is the hardest part. Set realistic goals for yourself and just get out there and run. If taking selfies and getting validation for your new habit fitness journey helps to motivate you, then take those selfies and put them on social media.

[u/Patrioticishness → u/bluegrassgazer]

Are you me?  Which half are you signing up for?

[u/bluegrassgazer → u/Patrioticishness]

My hometown race: The Flying Pig half marathon. I'm seriously considering signing up for the 3-way with extra cheese, which is the friday 1 miler, the 5 and 10K races on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday.

Are you signing up for anything?

[u/guitarman201 → u/bluegrassgazer]

Came to say the same thing :D you are me, returning to running feels like I am a new runner again

[u/Pure-Award-5378 → u/bluegrassgazer]

Same here! I am inspired now, thanks for sharing! I set a goal to run the 6 world marathon majors. I ran NY in 2015, then a few small ones and a few halves. Now I signed up to run a half in March and the Chicago Marathon in October. What other small new runner goals are there out there?

[u/bluegrassgazer → u/Pure-Award-5378]

I ran Chicago in 2021! You'll have a blast! I have a running acquaintance who is running a marathon on every continent. He ran Berlin and Tokyo, and he's actually running one in Antarctica in March.

[u/Pure-Award-5378 → u/bluegrassgazer]

Yes, they told me Chicago is fun. I am running for charity. Wow Antarctica, I am impressed.

[u/cherryman001]

After some intense hiking and a half marathon through the shire i suffered from some knee pain. But i managed to reduce it so much that i can run my favorite 14k run on a regular basis again.

Really motivated now to get some solid training in for upcoming events next year.

[u/may20p → u/cherryman001]

Not a 2025 goal, but thanks to you I'm adding a half marathon through the Shire to my bucket list.

[u/cherryman001 → u/may20p]

Haha definitely worth it ;)

[u/Mrminecrafthimself]

did you achieve your goals this past year?

This was my first year running seriously. My goals were to run 5k without stopping, race a 5k, and run 200 miles by 12/31. I accomplished all of them. Multiple 5Ks run without stopping, raced 2, placed 1st in my age group for 1. I’m also sitting at 233 miles run for the year. I know that’s small potatoes for some, but I’m proud as hell of it.

what did you learn in 2024?

I learned that rest is productive. And that sometimes just focusing on consistency rather than being married to your training plan is the best thing to do.

what goals do you have for 2025?

I want to run 10k without stopping and race a few 10ks, preferable on trails. I want to hit 300 miles for the year and start bumping my average running distance and duration to 4-5 miles or 45-60 minutes per run.

what advice do you have for new runners starting out?

Don’t delegitimize legitimate running. Every run is a run. Doesn’t matter the pace, the distance, the duration. If you’re running, you’re a runner. Be proud of that.

Get fitted for running shoes, and don’t skimp on them.

Prioritize your sleep and recovery.

Don’t even think about pace for a few months. Just focus on consistently running 3 times a week for 3 months.

Let your running be about more than weight loss or some kind of “performance” driven metric. Find ways to let running be about seeking joy, finding peace, listening to your body, building confidence, getting outside regularly…

[u/20thCenturyCobweb]

I’ve been running for 3 months so 2025 will be my first full year of running (I hope!!!). My only really big goal is to be able to run 3 miles straight. And then if I can decrease my minutes per mile (which i think is currently around 11 minutes per mile).

[u/AyeAyeandGoodbye]

2024 was an absolute gong show for me, my life basically got out of control. I have a strained relationship with a partner who being destroyed by her job, I’ve been dealing with menopause in it’s maximum destructive phase, and more. My running imploded into nothing.

My 2025 goal is to fix my life. I figure running will be the first step because I can train to achieve measurable goals.

A goal: a sub 30 minute 5K by the summer Solstice.
B goal: a sub 60 minute 10K by the winter Solstice.
C goal: drop from 215lbs today to 130lbs by next winter Solstice, which is what I weighed at 30 after the birth of my second child.

Wish me luck!

[u/musicalplantlover]

I had a baby in January which put my running on hold. Over the past few months I’ve started getting back into it - it’s especially easy with our running pram which means I’m not limited to times my husband is free to look after our daughter.

I’ve been reading “What I talk about when I talk about running” by Murakami and it has really sparked my motivation again. While I’d love to set the goal of running every day, I just don’t think that’s realistic in my current life stage (plus we are hoping to have another baby in the coming year/ years).

I think my goal for 2025 will be to run at a minimum every second day - aka, never have more than one rest day consecutively. What that run looks like will be different each time - I don’t want to put pressure on myself with distance times.

In saying that, I’m going to sign up for a 10km in June, before my 30th birthday. I’ve never run 10km - my farthest distance has been 8km so I think this is a good goal. 🥰

[u/thenailer253]

Ran my first half marathon last year (Seattle marathon). Doing it again this year, really want to beat my goal of sub 2 hours. My time was 2:04! Once I do that, I’ll sign up for a full marathon.

Good luck with your goals y’all and have a great 2025.

[u/con_mo]

Goals I hit this year: - finish my first HM (had sloppy splits, had to walk, ended up with a 2:07, so I finished but was sad about it) - sub 25 min 5k - sub 7 mile - gathered the courage to go to my first run club solo

Goals for next year: - sub 2h half marathon without any walking - sub 645 mile - be more consistent with pre and post run stretching, mobility work etc - possibly full marathon ??

Things I learned: - fuel is very important - try to incorporate speedwork at least once a week can do wonders - running with a group can push you further than running alone can - stopping for water or bathroom during a run doesn’t invalidate the run, be easy on yourself - goals are important but remember to have fun. The journey is the destination - not much feels better than seeing your hard work pay off. Showing up everyday is hard but you won’t regret it

[u/aggiespartan]

I completed all the trail races I set out to complete, but I didn't hit all my time goals, but that's ok. If you're hitting all your goals, maybe they aren't high enough.

I am so mentally tough.

So far I have 3 races planned. Bandera 100k - goal is to get under 17 hours; Three Days of Syllamo - a 3 day stage race, 50k the first day, 50 miler the second day, and 20k the third day - goal is just to get through it; and Cocodona 250 - goal is to finish

You don't have to go fast to go far. Some of the toughest, most badass people are at the back of the pack. If you don't feel like you fit in on the road, come out to the trails. I've found the most supportive community, and I make new friends at every race.

[u/suchbrightlights → u/aggiespartan]

I love this attitude- if you are achieving everything you set out to do, are you setting out to achieve everything you CAN do?

You have a super fun year ahead!

[u/Volcano_Jones]

I'm aiming for 1,200 miles in 2025! I thought 1000 was an aggressive goal this year but here I am at 1,040 with a few days to go.

I don't know how much I want to set specific time goals. I just want to continue improving across every distance, as I'm only just starting my 3rd year of running. My biggest goal is really to consistently do strength and mobility work, and to start mixing in more hill workouts. If I can be strong and durable the results will come.

[u/dogsetcetera → u/Volcano_Jones]

I don't know how much I want to set specific time goals

Same. I want to improve my times but right now I'm also focusing on volume and hills, don't want to lock into specific times quite yet.

[u/Volcano_Jones → u/dogsetcetera]

I'm weirdly happy because I recently moved and I'm finally within running distance of a decent hill!

[u/Ben73892]

Staying consistent and injury free.

[u/KnightOwlBeatz]

Stay injury free. Past 2 years I’ve dealt with a lot of lower leg injury’s like plantar fasciitis in both feet. so I’ve been focusing more on recovery days and stretching after my runs.

Also cutting more weight and running my fastest marathon yet. I’ve lost about 25 pounds since mid October and down to 220 pounds. I’d like to get off about 30 more pounds til my marathon in June and with hard work and training, cut an hour off of my marathon time. Aiming for around a 3:55:00 finish time.

[u/kobrakai_1986]

My goals for this year were to run nothing under a 10K, run over 2,000 kilometres and perhaps run a marathon.

I’ve managed all of those, and I feel like distance and endurance have been nicely settled for next year. Might try for a 20 minute 5K.

[u/run_rover]

Good year! I missed no training runs (3x a week).

Next year I will make myself mile test and base training plans on that result + historic data. Nothing crazy, just planning to push myself toward some PRs and performance, now that I can run continuously.

I need to set a goal to go to bed early and find someone who will run with me on mornings early in the summer in the dark. I hate the heat and thrive in the colder months.

[u/UBBullsFan2014]

My goal was to run 1000 miles in 2024. If all goes well this weekend, I will have run 1300 miles. This is by far the most miles I have run in a year. I think for 2025, it is time to run a full marathon.

[u/maeby_not]

2025 goal is to run my first marathon!

2024 I wanted to really solidify my foundation. I increased my outdoor runs to consistently 3x/week (two easy paced runs and one track workouts) and got really comfortable with 10-milers and half marathons. Now in 2025 I want to get my weekly mileage up and train well enough that I can finish a marathon strong! I don’t care what my time is, I just want to cross the finish line and be proud of myself.

[u/GetLostIWontTell]

Goals I am on track to finish in 2024

1. Run atleast 5k everyday for 366 days - 4 days remaining
2. Finish my first marathon - Done
3. Sub 2 hour half marathon - Done
4. Atleast 1600 miles in the year - Done
5. Sub 25 min 5k

Goals for 2025

1. Continue to run atleast 5k everyday- Although I have long international travel next year (16+ hour), so not sure how to manage that
2. Finish 2 full marathon - 4:00-4:10
3. Sub 22 min 5k
4. 2000 miles in this year
5. Sub 50 min 10 k

[u/Smooth_Ad_3309]

I’ve completed 2 of 4 goals. Sub 20 5k and sub 330 marathon. Other 2 goals are running everyday for the year and 3000 km. I’ve been super sick since Xmas day so only done 3.6 km the last 2 days and both runs sucked. I’m 42 km short of 3000. I hope I feel better soon so I can complete the last 2 goals. Not sure about next year yet just want to complete these 2 goals first and go from there.

[u/Amazing-Row-5963]

I started running 5 months ago, so didn't have any resolutions for this year.

But, I achieved a 22 min 5k, 46 min 10k and I can go and run an HM on any day, even if pretty slow. 

My resolutions are:

• run 2 HMs, 1:40 and 1:30 on the 2nd one
• Sub 20 5k
• Run 2025 km in 2025 (I hope that it's gonna be way more, I hope to increase weekly mielage from current average 35 km to 70 km).

[u/keylime_137]

Goals for 2025: 1. Get back into consistent running, at least 5 days a week.i started a new job in August, and all of my training fell seriously short while I managed a long commute and household mom stuff. 2. Run a few 13.1 and some 5ks 3. My ultimate goal is to run the Dopey Challenge in 2026.

[u/thematrix1234]

Newbie runner here! Currently on week 4 of a 20-week half marathon training program. My running goals for 2025:

• complete as much of the training as possible (I have lots of travel in the next few months), and run as much of the half marathon as I can, but also remind myself that walk breaks are totally ok and expected.

• no injuries! Trying to incorporate 2x/week strength training (I love Peloton’s Matt Wilpers and his “strength for runners” classes)

Good luck, everyone and happy new year!

[u/L_D_G]

Shin splints and a strained adductor ended my running year early. Hoping to get back to 5-10 miles a week and my hips joints passed the six mile mark. I wouldn't mind running 13.1 at least twice.

[u/dogsetcetera]

June is my A race(s). Saturday marathon then Sunday half. Also looking for some time goals, mostly related to getting faster in general. Going to end up in the low 900's for miles this year, next year would like to get over 1200. And stay un-injured through some strength training and dedicated stretching routines.

[u/healthierlurker]

NYC Marathon! Had to defer in 2024 due to the birth of my 3rd son but I’m determined to do it in 2025. I also have some smaller races scheduled including a half marathon in March and a half in April. I’d also like to do some trail running too.

[u/bestmaokaina]

Sub 3hr20 marathon and sub 1hr25 HM

[u/selfimprovementkink]

no resolution. no goals. just keep running comfortably and push myself now and then

[u/AnteaterEastern2811]

Possibly squeak in my first marathon before 40. I should have done it long ago

[u/FRO5TB1T3]

I did not ahcieve my goal, due to injury i didnt even get my target race distance in.

I learmed to listen to my persistent niggles more and go to a running specific pt.

I still am chasing a sub 3 marathon and a 1:24 half.

Be consistent, whatever keeps you being consistent even if it isnt optimal training is better than inconsistent but "better" training regime most of the time.

[u/Whatsmyinterest]

Sprint triathlon in March, Olympic in May, Honolulu marathon in December. I have a lot of work to do!

[u/stanleyslovechild]

2024 - came back from plantar fasciitis surgery. Still have pain but I can run. - ran two halves and my first full marathon.

1. - get in a full year of running, do another full marathon, stay injury free.

[u/Aware_Novel_5141]

This year was the first full year I was able to stick with running. I lost 30 lb, ran a sub 2 hour half marathon, and started training for my first marathon. Goals for 2025 include finishing a marathon, and then trying to do a second marathon to meet some sort of time goal - maybe sun 345 or so if I can stay healthy!

[u/CrazyHuman9347]

My 2024 goals were to PR my 10k and race my first half, both of which I achieved! 

Last year was my first year really focusing on racing and in 2025 I want to continue to improve. I’d like to set new PRs in the 5k, 10k, and half. I want to continue taking racing seriously but also find a balance and way for it not to consume my life. 

For runners just starting out, set smaller, more achievable goals. I find I’m more successful when I set goals like “finish my first half, run a 5k without stopping, etc. Instead of hit xx time.” 

[u/GMO-Doomscroller]

My goals are always to have fun and be consistent and healthy. I run with my doggo so fun is guaranteed.

[u/taseradict]

I'm in my late 30s, I started running only in 2023, completing my first race (10k) on December 17.

In 2024 I finished my hometown 5K in the hot summer, another 10K and two half marathons.

2025 I already signed up for my city Marathon in March, there's going to be 17000 people it will be an insane experience. I'm going to train so hard for it, I hope it works out.

Afterwards I don't have specific goals, a full marathon is big enough of a deal. I'm thinking about a 3 week solo hiking trip in spring, but I'm not sure if I will be able to tie things down enough at work and home to make it happen.

Good luck to everyone with your goals, keep on keeping on!

[u/Lele_]

complete couch to 5k for the third time, but this time keep it going with 3 easy 5k runs a week being the target

[u/N0Ability]

Started running in July this year,realy enjoyed this year,i had tried to Run in previous years but always stopped 1-2 months in or when the weather got cold/rainy,this year not only i havent stopped but Im running more distance and days as time goes on cause i enjoy it a lot.

What i learnt:

Resting and listening to my body in general is very important,ive hád days where i was planning on having a "fast" Run or a long Run and just chilled out Midway because my body simply wasnt feeling it,ive hád a week two weeks ago where i took an extra day inbetween runs because i felt fatigued and got a pb the day after .

Speed wise i dont think Im quite where i expected(mostly because i was getting Faster quite easily at the start but i can see that was because i simply couldnt Run the whole way)but that isnt my goal ,my goal at the moment is to prepare for a HM in early april,im preety sure ill bé able to finish it but Im not that sure if ill bé able to do it under 2 hours as thats my goal atm and even in shorter distances Im not quite there.

Anyway my personal achievements for this year were :

Ran a 5k in around 27:30 minutes

Ran training runs of 5 ,6,7,8k in under 6min per k Pace.

Ran a training Run of 12k without stopping

It turns out getting Over that big bump in the first months that was me preety much being exausted just for trying to Run 500m out of a 5km "Run" was the hardest part Soo far .