Can you feel the end of the year approaching? I can certainly feel it, and that feeling usually gets me thinking about goals again — not just big ones like marathons or life milestones, but also the small, steady ones that quietly shape who I become. As you might’ve noticed by now, I usually write my newsletters about the one thing that stood out most to me in the past two weeks, and this time it was a moment that reminded me exactly why goals matter so much.

The other day, I had the privilege of pacing one of our Couch-to-5K runners through her first 5km without stopping. She did so well — I am incredibly proud of her. But what really struck me was seeing her pride in herself. It reminded me how easily we, as runners, take for granted something as simple as being able to run 5km continuously. Yet there was a time every one of us couldn’t do it, and now it’s so routine that we forget it was once a dream.

On the one side, although it’s sad, I think the purpose of working towards goals is for them to become “everyday”, and on the other side, I think it is amazing that we can grow so much to get to such a point. Being goal-oriented isn’t just about chasing medals or ticking boxes — it’s about growth. Outside of my running and cycling friends, I rarely see people setting themselves tangible goals and working consistently toward them, which I think is a pity. For me, that structure gives life rhythm. My goals keep me grounded when things feel uncertain and pull me forward when motivation dips. And they have me thinking in November that there is still something left to accomplish this year!

I didn’t have a race goal this year, but I did set a distance goal. Looking back, and although there were times I thought it was a stupid goal, I’m certain that’s what kept me running many kilometres I might otherwise have skipped. Having a goal — even a quiet one — changes how we show up.

And now, as the year ends, I can feel that familiar restlessness in the air. It’s the season of wrapping things up and taking stock. I’m trying to do the same — to close out my goals well and think ahead to what I want to build next. I’ve just entered my next marathon, and with less than four months to go, I suddenly find myself back in marathon training again. After a year of focusing on shorter distances, it feels exciting and a little intimidating.

That’s the magic of goals, though. They don’t just move us forward — they also help us find our way back.

What are your goals for the new year?

#GoalOriented #EveryStepCounts #KeepMovingForward #ProgressNotPerfection #FinishStrong