I’m at my best when I have some goals to work towards. Even when they are not fully achieved, they act as a guiding light of sorts, keeping me showing up and pushing myself to be and do more. I’m so excited to share my running goals for 2023. Some are quite similar to the ones I had in 2022, but this time I’m coming at them with a whole new strategy for success!
Goals For 2023
1: Run Six Half Marathons. I’m opening the year with a Half Marathon Training Plan with my goal to participate in six Half Marathons during the course of the year. I have already listed ten options to choose from, and I’m really excited about this goal. The Half distance is my absolute favourite and I feel the training involved fits beautifully with my life as a working mum.
2: Achieve a sub: 2:15 Half Marathon Time. My official Half PB is 2:24:01 which I got at the Botswana Life Half in September 2019. But later that year, I ran an unofficial 2:17:36 time with Ditiro and Gape as my pacemakers. So, I have come extremely close before and I know if I return to consistent training, I will get there. Given my current level of fitness, it won’t be in the first half of the year though. I’m aiming for the UB Half Marathon in November 2023.
3: Do More Strength and Cross-Training: In 2023, I re-commit to the following:
- Strength-train twice a week for at least 15 minutes at a time
- Kgale Hill 2x a month
- Pilates 2x a week
4: Eat, Sleep and Drink Better: I need to re-establish healthier habits:
- Drink 1.5 – 2L of water a day
- Sleep between 9 – 10 pm
- Improve my eating habits (less chocolate, healthier snacks, better portion sizes)
- Schedule monthly health check-ups, e.g. breast exam one month, dentist the next, etc. and self-care activities,
5: Run 2023km in 2023: I failed in 2021 and again in 2022, but I STILL feel this goal is possible. It just needs an incredible amount of consistency. My highest mileage (achieved in 2020) was just shy of 1700km. I’ve already signed up for a 2000km Challenge with the Activate Uganda Running Club so this will serve as extra motivation to get there. As part of this goal, I want to:
- Run Every Street Project: Complete Block 3 (I just have about 5km to go but it’s in a shady area, so I’ve been hesitant)
- Run 4x/ week (this is when I’m at my best)
- Run/Hike in 12 new villages/ towns (this year I ran in 11 new places so it’s very possible!)
- Run 20 races (it’s finally time to do that #20in20 goal that was cut short by the pandemic!)
- Participate in a new-to-me international race
Finally, my word for the year: FLOW. In my head, I know what I mean by this but I’m not sure I can explain it well. Perhaps, this definition from Steven Kotler helps – flow is where “every action, each decision, leads effortlessly, fluidly, seamlessly to the next. It’s high-speed problem solving; it’s being swept away by the river of ultimate performance.” I’d like to simplify many areas in my life to achieve this state of flow; remove the physical and mental clutter that sometimes prevents this seamless flow of actions that ultimately achieves results. I’d like to find my flow…
What are you looking forward to in 2023? Any new challenges? Any races on the schedule? What’s your word for the year?
I’m joining Kooky Runner and Zenaida on their link up, Tuesday Topics. Be sure to read their blogs and catch up with other runners from around the world.
The Gaborone Runner 
I have a word but it’s not revealed yet.
Those are great goals!! Good luck! Can’t wait to read how you achieve them.
I don’t have anything big planned yet… I’d like to do what I did this year.. stay uninjured so I can run and race when I want.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You were on fire this year, Darlene! 🔥 I can’t wait to see what you achieve this year AND to hear what your word is!
LikeLike
Great goals! I want to run some 100 mile months again (none last year even when it wasn’t boiling hot and I wasn’t injured, not sure what happened) and get a 1,000 mile year (again no, though I did get 900 and that’s quite a lot). I’ll be training with Claire towards her half-marathon so that will get my going and we hope to maintain managing an easy 10 miles so we can go exploring. I need to broaden out my running companions as a few have fallen by the wayside … but at the moment, I need to concentrate on helping our new couch to 5k and beyond folks through their programme, our first group since Covid! Have a wonderful year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll join you on those 100 mile months! I loved clocking such mileage and can’t wait to do that again. Training with Claire will definitely help you towards your goals and how fulfilling to help people reach their first 5K! Can’t wait to see how your year goes – I feel it will be an amazing one for you!
LikeLike
These are some big goals, but I love them for you! I think you are going to crush them and have an incredible year! CHeering you on from Florida!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope not too big, but I will take them one step at a time! 😆😅
LikeLike
Love your goals for 2023, and you picked such a great word for the year too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kim – my word just felt right for me. It’s the one thing that has been missing for a while!
LikeLike
You’ve got some great goals for 2023 and I look forward to following along on your journey and visiting 12 new places via your hike recaps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It’s very early days but so far, I’ve stuck to the plan which has not always been the case. I’ve also managed 2 new places already so look out for those blogs!
LikeLike
6 half marathons! I bet you hit your time goal in no time. Adding more strength training will be good for you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! 6 indeed, I’m going big! I keep avoiding strength training, but I just need to get it done – even just 15 minutes twice a week.
LikeLike
Very good plans. I highly recommend strength training, for everything! It was what kicked off my fitness interest and made me start running (and what enabled me to get back to running after an injury). Now it’s essential to my overall wellbeing.
I love your running goals with 6 half marathons and your distance goal! As a beginner, it sounds very ambitious to me and I love ambitious! Good luck with everything.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that strength training came before running for you! I always have an excuse for not doing it, but I just need to make it part of my routine as it will make me a stronger runner! Thanks for this perspective.
LikeLike
These are all great goals! I love your plans to achieve them. Excited to follow along!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Zenaida! I’m feeling quite focused so hopefully they get done!
LikeLiked by 1 person