Now let’s get started by talking about what day it is… December 31, 2025! Now you may not have a run or a race planned for today but the last day of 2025 might be one of the most important days of your running year.
As a runner and running coach, I love this day because it’s a great time to do a personal post-race debrief for the entire year. The perfect moment to look back, laugh a little, learn a lot, and set yourself up for a stronger, happier 2026. In other words, it’s a great day to jump on the bandwagon and make some resolutions that are relevant and realistic—something that’s better done in steps.
That being said, let’s get started!
Step One: Celebrate Your Running Wins (All of Them)
Before we talk about what went wrong, we need to do something runners are famously bad at: acknowledging success.
Your 2025 wins might include:
Showing up consistently—even when motivation dipped
Running your first (or fastest) race
Coming back from injury
Learning to slow down on easy days
Saying “no” when your body needed rest
Simply not quitting
Not every win has a finish line. Progress hides in routines, resilience, and the runs no one else saw.
Take stock. Write them down. You earned them.
Step Two: Get Honest About What Didn’t Work (Without Beating Yourself Up)
Now for the fun part—the learning.
Every runner has a “well… that didn’t go as planned” list from 2025. The key is turning mistakes into information.
Ask yourself:
Did I train too hard, too often?
Did I skip strength or mobility?
Did I chase pace instead of consistency?
Did I sign up for races that didn’t actually excite me?
Did I ignore early signs of fatigue or injury?
This isn’t about blame. It’s about patterns. Your body and schedule were giving you feedback all year—today is when you finally listen.
Step Three: Identify What You Did Right
Here’s where things get powerful.
Look at your best moments of 2025 and ask:
What training habits led to my best runs?
When did I feel strong, confident, and energized?
What kind of structure helped me stay consistent?
What made running feel fun?
Improvement doesn’t always come from fixing weaknesses—it often comes from doubling down on what already works.
Step Four: Turn Reflection Into Momentum for 2026
This is where December 31 becomes a launchpad.
Use what you learned to guide next year:
If burnout showed up… plan more recovery
If consistency was your win… protect that routine
If injuries lingered… prioritize strength and patience
If joy was missing… choose goals that excite you
Your 2026 training shouldn’t start from scratch—it should start from experience.
Step Five: Make Your 2026 Running Goals List (The Smart Way)
Yes, this is the perfect time to make your 2026 running goals list—but keep it realistic and motivating.
Try breaking it into categories:
Performance goals: races, distances, paces
Process goals: weekly runs, strength sessions, recovery habits
Fun goals: new routes, group runs, trail days, run-cations
Well-being goals: injury-free, better sleep, fueling properly
Remember: goals should guide you, not guilt you.
Final Thought: You’re a Different Runner Than You Were in January
The runner standing at the end of 2025 is wiser, tougher, and more experienced than the one who started it. December 31 isn’t about judgment—it’s about perspective.
And there you have it friends. It’s not always a bad thing to jump on the bandwagon, because if you’re on the right one it will lead to success! So, look back at 2025, then get ready to step into 2026 knowing you’re building on everything this year taught you. Now go make those running resolutions and then get outside for the last run of 2025. Happy Running!
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