“I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)” — a Different Running Goal for 2024
Reflections on halving my annual running mileage
1000 miles to 500 miles?
The 1000-mile annual running mileage seems to be a popular target for many runners. But what would happen if you halved your running mileage next year?
As we approach the end of the year many of us are already signing up for events and planning our running targets for 2024. But what if this year you did something different with your running?
I have previously written about setting running goals and like a lot of us these have previously involved running faster, longer, or more frequently. Over time annual creep can set in where running goals gradually edge up from one year to the next. First, it is a 5K then we are doing a 10K and before we know if we are setting ambitious time targets for our first ultra.
But what if there was an easier way — running less, running slower (walking even), and running less frequently? I halved my annual running mileage target for 2023 to 500 miles.
Living in the Highlands of Scotland, I found myself repeatedly drawn to the famous Proclaimer's song called “I’m gonna be (500 miles)” and I thought I would take that rather unusual inspiration for my running in 2023.
