Goals and Goal Post!

What Are Your Goals?

As a coach, it’s a question I often ask athletes: “What are your goals?”

It’s a simple question—but not always an easy one to answer.

Do We All Need Goals?

Well... maybe, maybe not.

I've been training and keeping fit for over 36 years, and right now, I don’t have any specific performance goals. I train six to eight times a week without chasing a particular race time or competition result.

But that’s not entirely true—I do have a goal. It just looks a little different these days.

Looking Back: Early Days of Goal Setting

As a teenager, I was very goal-driven. I can still remember writing out my track and field goals every year throughout high school—times I wanted to run, places I hoped to finish.

Of course, I never once wrote down goals like “get injured” or “have a bad season”—yet those things happened. That’s just part of being a young athlete.

After finishing high school, I found that old training diary. Some of the goals I achieved, others I didn’t. But what I gained during those four years was far more important:I fell in love with the process.

So What Is “The Process”?

The process is your daily commitment to training. It’s getting out the door on cold mornings, going through the routine, and staying consistent—without needing a medal at the end of it.

If you're someone who trains regularly, chances are you’re fitter than 99% of people your age. That’s something to be proud of. And to stick with it long-term, you have to find some enjoyment in it. You have to love the feeling of being fit.

Chasing Results vs. Enjoying the Journey

When I first started running, yes—I loved winning. I loved the attention, and I thrived on the sense of control it gave me. The more I trained, the better I got. I liked that equation.

But over time, it became less about trophies and more about testing my own limits. That’s what stuck with me.

Should You Have a Goal?

Absolutely. Goals help get you out of bed on freezing mornings.

For me, when my alarm rings at 5:25 AM, it’s cold, my bed is warm—but my goal now is simply to maintain a high level of fitness as I age.

Your goal might be running a personal best, making a team, or something else entirely. But even more important than the goal is the reason behind it: your health, your mindset, your sense of purpose.

Do You Need a Goal?

Not always.

Some athletes thrive without a clear target. They train because they enjoy movement and love being active. That’s just as valid. After I stopped competing seriously, I had no real performance goals—and I still trained because I simply loved it.

A Word of Advice on Goal Setting

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve come across is this:

“Set a goal. Write it down. Tell someone. Then forget about it.”

Why? Because the journey won’t be perfect. You’ll have setbacks. You’ll get sick, or injured, or go through stretches where things just don’t click.

But if you love the process—if you enjoy the training itself—you’ll stay motivated and resilient. You’ll keep showing up even when things get tough.

My Goals Today

I don’t really have any formal sporting goals. Okay, back in 2018, I half-jokingly said I’d like to run 16:45 for 5K at age 51. It didn't happen....but that's ok.

As a coach, my goals are different now. I want to see my athletes progress, stay healthy, and enjoy their journey. That’s what matters most to me.

So... What’s Your Goal?

Set one. Write it down. Tell someone. Then put your head down, do the work—and enjoy it.

Simple.