20 Running Favorites + Goals for the new year!

We all have our running favorites!

I want to share mine with you!

So I wrote a list of my running favorites but also running goals that I want to include as a runner for this 2024 year.

Hopefully, this list will help motivate you in your running but also I wanted to share a little bit more of myself as a runner with you. 

This list is completely random and nothing is any sort of order.

I merely wanted to share in order to provide value and insight. 

Here it is!

Related: How To Start a Healthy Fitness Habit in the New Year

20 Running favorites + goals I want to tackle this year!

1. My favorite running log I'm using

I actually don't use an official running log anymore and haven't for a couple years now.

I like to keep everything that I plan, write, and track in one spot so I use my daily planner to record my runs, workouts and health habits that I want to track and record.

Last year I used an Inkwell Press Planner which I loved  as it includes monthly goal setting pages and daily habit trackers where you can choose what to record.

However, I realized that I like utilizing Google Tasks more for goal setting and planning and so this year went with this much simpler planner without a lot of bells and whistles which I think will work well for my needs!

If I was to choose a journal specifically for running, I would be very interested in this running log made by Gone for a Run. Lots of fun covers and the style seems very functional. 

2. My current favorite running shoes:

Last year I set a goal to try the Xero Prio Running Shoe. However, after I researched exactly what I wanted, I ended up buying and loving the Xero HFS Shoe!

I'm wearing them in this Hip Opener stretch right here:

They are extremely comfortable! They are not the type of running shoes that you want to kick off your feet immediately upon finishing a run. 

They are a very minimalist running shoe and they do cause you to be very aware of your running form while you are running which for me is a good thing.

I have done a lot of road running in them but as I run on country roads for long runs I have only done up to 6 miles in them max as I still prefer not to feel gravel below my feet. ;0

Bottom line, I absolutely love them for track workouts and road running and running around my own house and chasing my children! 

If you are looking for a minimalist style running shoe, I highly recommend the the Xero HFS Shoe!

3. Favorite piece of running gear currently:

My Flipbelt. 

This has been one of those, "How did I run without this?" purchases. 

It's sleek, doesn't bounce when I'm running, and is ultra comfortable and functional. The only time I don't wear this is if I'm running on a treadmill.

4. The Bluetooth earphones that I know and love

So AirPods are all the rage and while I have never tried them I just have to give a shout out to my current Bluetooth earphones: the Mpow Flame Bluetooth Headphones.

I have used these for almost 3 years now and have never been disappointed.

You can easily adjust the volume and stop and start what you are listening to right on the ear buds. The fit is also perfect and I have never had any issues with them falling out while running.

At $20 they actually provide great quality for the price tag. If you are not ready to go all in on AirPods, these are a great option!

5. Favorite cross training routine:

A simple HIIT workout routine.

I like to pick 5 high intensity moves and do them until I can't do anymore. Sometimes I repeat the circuit 2-3 times and sometimes I call it good! 

My favorite go-to HIIT moves are:

• Squat jumps
• Pushups
• Jumping Lunges
• Burpees
• Bicycle abs

6. Quote I'm living by lately:

You are as free as your self control.

I love this quote! It might at first seem like a paradox to some but it's a brilliant truth!

The more self control and disciplined you are in any area of your life the more true freedom you will be able to experience.

I think a lot of times we associate the words "self-control and discipline" with the idea that our spontaneity and fun in life will be stifled.

The opposite in fact is true but is one of those things that you first have to do in order to experience and realize the truth in it.

7. Running Movie I want to watch:

Run Free: The true story of Caballo Blanco.

A follower on Instagram recommended this to me a couple of months ago and I’ve been eager to watch it! I actually don’t watch very many movies but I do want to sit and watch this sometime soon! 

If you are looking for some recommendations then here is a running/marathon movie list.

Do you have any other running movie recommendations that I should watch?

8. The next running goal I am looking forward to completing:

The Run 100 Miles in One Month Challenge! 

While I've run more than 100 miles in a month especially while training for marathons, it's been awhile!

This is a goal I want to achieve early this year. I feel that it is something fun to work towards while still being a very fulfilling goal!

I designed a running calendar (actually 2 different ones) and tracker sheet to help achieve this goal and packaged them together so that you can challenge yourself as well using these tools! You can find the details about the Run 100 Miles in One Month Challenge right here!

9. The thing I want to focus on in my running:

My mental outlook and how I talk to myself during a run!

I tend to go in spurts with my mental training as a runner, yet if I would just remember how powerful something like self-talk is, hard runs and workouts would be so much easier!

I know this yet I find myself forgetting it.

Therefore I want to make a habit of telling myself something positive during the first steps that I take on a run.

This will help to set my mental voice for that entire run.

What you feed your mind is what you will reap.

Be careful of the stories that you are telling yourself before, during, and after your runs. They will set the tone for you as a runner.

If you are running a marathon this year then check out my Mindset Training Plan for Marathon Runners.

10. Task I want to gain consistency in:

Continuing to prioritize my sleeping schedule and waking up early! 

2020 turned into the year where I dramatically shifted my lifestyle to become a morning riser and it has been such a game changer.

However, it does NOT come naturally to me! It takes so much effort on my part to make sure that I am getting to bed at the right time in order to be able to wake up early! 

It has taken a lot of mindset work (kind of like running :) and it has become easier and much more natural. 

Still, because this is still an area that is not on "autopilot" yet I want to simply continue to focus on this area. 

As a mom, runner, and small business owner, waking up early aligns perfectly with my goals and allows me so much more freedom and flexibility in being able to be present with my family when they wake up. 

That is really one of my biggest priorities in my life right now and so I'm happy to be able to keep working at waking up early consistently! 

11. A nutritional goal for myself:

Last year I wanted to focus more on meal prepping (I have already shared some of my meal prepping routines for runners here if you want to get some ideas too.)

This year, I want to continue with meal prepping and also meal planning and simplifying that process! 
This is another area that I go in spurts with but when I'm on top of it, it is amazing!

It really is something that does not take a ton of time to implement and really comes down to just planning ahead in order to do it.

I've realized how beneficial it is in helping me stick to more clean, healthy foods and takes away the mental fatigue of making decisions on what to eat multiple times a day.

12. Podcasts I love listening too:

Sometimes I listen to music when I run but the majority of the time I choose to listen to a podcast (or an audiobook).

Two podcasts that I play on repeat are:

• The Life Coach School by Brooke Castillo - she gives awesome advice for life in general but a lot of it can also be applied to running and marathon training!
• Marathon Training Academy by Angie and Trevor - this podcast is a must if you are a marathon runner! Lots of good stuff!
• For more podcast and audiobook recommendations see this page!

13. My current running/workout routine:

The last couple of months of 2020, I planned in advance my workout schedule for the entire month and I loved that! 

Many of you followed along on Instagram and we it was lots of fun and a perfect way to stay accountable! 

Normally I would plan week by week, but coming up with a monthly plan really helped to set and achieve results! 

• In October, I focused on consistency and had a goal to run a 10 mile run by October 31. 
• In November, I wanted to run at least one 6 mile run each week of the month.
• In December, I mixed it up and chose to do 1 to 2 runs a week, and 1-2 HIIT or strength workouts a week for at least 4 workout days.
• For January 2021, I want to actually continue my December routine (I'm saving my 2021 100 Miles in One Month Challenge for the Spring when the weather is a bit nicer.)

Therefore, my current workout schedule looks something like this:

• Monday: Running
• Tuesday: HIIT workout
• Wednesday: Rest day
• Thursday: Running
• Friday: Strength or HIIT workout
• Saturday and Sunday: Rest days or Tennis!

14. The next running book I want to read:

Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor.

Deena Kastor might be my favorite female runner of all time which is why I'm shocked with my self that I have still not read her book!

I need to change that asap!

Do you have any other running book recs? 

15. Food I want to eat more of:

Last year I wanted to eat more sweet potatoes and by golly I did! They are definitely now a staple! 

This year, I want to try some new smoothie recipes! I almost always have a chocolate peanut butter smoothie if I'm making one but I want to try some different blends!

If you have a favorite recipe or concoction that you throw together I'd love to hear!

16. Food to try:

Using Spaghetti squash as a pasta substitute.

We've been eating a lot of spaghetti squash this winter and now that I'm comfortable with cooking it, I want to begin using it as an occasional substitute for noodles.

I say occasional because sometimes we need a bigger serving of carbohydrates after an intense run or workout or my kids just need a meal that will fill them and fuel them up more and in that case I would still use whole wheat pasta.

17. Favorite time to run:

On vacation or trips! 

I'm not venturing too far from home these days because #rona but even when we stay at an AirBnB I love to explore the area through running!

It's so fun to added a new place while running! You don't even notice that the miles fly by and you can really get to know a place through running.

It provides wonderful opportunities to are more than you would walking, helps to burn through favorite from all the indulgent meals you are probably eating. It will also make you fall in love with the place and the moment you are in.

Outside of vacation time, I love running in the early morning (I wrote a post about running when it's dark here) especially if I can time it with sunrise! So beautiful!

18. My favorite compression socks: These by CharmKing

I don't usually opt for all the fun colors that they offer and tend to stick to the most boring color options.I have found these provide just the right amount of pressure for me when I run.

I try to wear my compression socks on every run and I think you should too whether you are running long runs or short runs!

They really help to reduce the effect that the impact of running causes and increases your blood circulation allowing you to run and recover faster. I love them! Here's more info formation on compression socks for marathoners.

19. My favorite running workout:

I love a good tempo run for so many reasons!

They can be done anywhere, they are not too long, usually under an hour in length, you challenge and push yourself, they're fun, especially if you have a great playlist or a running buddy to race, and they consistently deliver a huge dose of endorphins! 

20. Favorite thing to tell myself during a run

“The time is flying by! Enjoy this!”

And it really does! It always amazes me how the time factor can mess with my positive voice! "Run for a whole hour? I don't have the time! I still have so many miles left to go!"

However, the time flies and I have to remind myself! It's such a small piece of the day but it sets the entire mood for the rest of the day! 

So when I find myself counting how many miles I have left to go, I like to remind myself that the time is flying by and to simply be present and enjoy the moment! 

It's all about attitude.

Let me know one of your running favorites in the comments below this box!

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