It’s that time of year. The gyms are full, motivation is peaking and the inevitable drop in daily workouts has not yet come to pass. Goals and/or resolutions have been dreamt up (or stolen from others) throughout the tail end of the previous year, never to be achieved. 

Goal setting is essential if we want to achieve that which we do not know is possible.

Contrary to this belief, instead of goal setting, some argue the better approach is building daily habits in the hope that this will lead to continuous growth over time. I disagree. Setting goals and forging steps to achieve them will allow the pursuer to achieve greater things than someone building habits. 

There is nothing wrong with failure. Many/Most/All athletes, musicians and business leaders have failed at different times in their life. It is what follows that allows these people to achieve. Those that do not learn from their failures will surely continue to repeat them.

“Do not be afraid to fail. Be afraid of not learning from your failures.”

As we’ve now completed the crazy year that was 2022, I thought I’d do a brief analysis and see how I went with my goals that I made at the start of the year. Here we go.

If you’re not interested in 2022, scroll down to see my GOALS FOR 2023.

1. Run over 3022 kms (2022 +1000 kms) – Fail

Pretty self explanatory. Try to do better than last year. My training loads as I prepare for several of my events I have in my 2022 Race Schedule, should naturally get me to around the 3000 kms mark. A logical step up from my base in 2021, but still a bit of a jump. Definitely achievable with the right focus.

Major Fail! I didn’t make this one. Due to a number of injuries and sickness, I didn’t make this one. I did increase my mileage marginally from 2,348 kms in 2021 to 2,369 in 2022. An improvement but I’ll be looking forward to increasing this even further in 2023.

2. Own a valid UTMB Index (run a 100 mile qualifying event) – Achieved

Run The Alpine Challenge 100 mile & receive a valid 6 Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB) Index. Although I will still fall short of qualification into the UTMB due to recent changes to the qualification process, this was the long term goal and will still assist me in qualifying for the UTMB. I’ll just need to do another event in 2023 to lock in that qualification. 100 miles is a long way.

Achieved. I’m marking this as achieved but further explanation is required. I currently have a valid UTMB Index required for the application to the UTMB. However, this is not due to completing the Alpine Challenge 100 mile event. As there were some changes to the UTMB application process in 2022, completing a valid 100 km event will result in a UTMB Index – which I received for completing the Surf Coast Century in 2021.

3. Run a Sub 3 Hr Marathon – Fail

Something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. Although this will not strictly help me qualify or prepare for the UTMB, it will help with my running and will still require a large base and mileage to pull off. I’ll target the Melbourne Marathon in October for this one which should give me plenty of time to prepare. My current PB for the Marathon is 3hr 47min so I’ve got a little way to go 😉

Oh so close! In October, I narrowly missed running my first Sub 3 Hr Marathon. I missed the 3 hour mark by 14 seconds – so close! I’ll get it next time. I can’t be too disappointed, though as it was a 12 minute PB! As part of the training block, I also managed to run a PB for my half marathon effort, a 1:22.

4. Swim 100 km – Huge Fail

For recovery and to build my upper body strength I’ll utilise the two words most hated by runners – cross training! I found in 2020, swimming improved my breathing, the recovery of my knee and muscles as well as improving my upper body strength. In 2021 it was difficult to get to the pool with it being closed for so long! At 100 km a year, this is around 3 swims a month. Definitely achievable.

In short, I haven’t been swimming much this year. Actually, almost nothing (7.1 km in total)! The limited amount of free time that I have had in the first part of 2022 have been spent on my running or resting. I didn’t get anywhere close to the 100km goal.

This one is a big FAIL!

5. Be a Parkrun Tourist – 25 Parkruns @ 5 different locations  – DONE!

Parkruns are finally back! Yes we all have our favourite local parkrun but I’ve set the challenge to get to 5 different events. There is a new one locally which I’m keen to check out. I’ve set the target at 25 events (with a hope to do more) due to getting the balance right with family commitments. I’m currently sitting on 78 Parkruns so this should get me to the big 100. I’m also looking forward to getting back to those post parkrun coffees on a more consistent basis!

Achieved. In 2022 I attended 36 parkruns at 9 different events. Talk about a busy year of Saturday mornings! I reached the 100 mark and blew right past it.

6. Enter More Races – Achieved

In addition to the Kilcunda Half Marathon, Alpine Challenge, Great Ocean Road Marathon and Melbourne Marathon enter another 3 events. Practice race day preparation and continue to gain experience in the execution of race strategy.

Check out my 2022 race plan.

In 2022 I completed the Pier to Pub Virtual event, Kilcunda Half Marathon, Lumberjack Run, Great Ocean Road Marathon, Sri Chinmoy Princes Park Half Marathon, You Yangs Half Marathon and Melbourne Marathon. 7 events for the year! I tried to sneak in another one at the tail end of 2022 but to no avail. I do love the thrill of the race!

7. Read 6 Running Books – Done!

Because if you’re not running, why not be reading about running!

I’ve read 50/50 Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days by Dean Karnazes, Atomic Habits by James Clear, Bedtime Adventure Stories for Grown Ups by Anna Mcnuff, Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike – Phil Knight, Let my people go Surfing – Yvon Chouinard, Finding Ultra – Rich Roll, Training Essentials for Ultrarunning – Jason Koop and reread The Rise of the Ultra Runners – Adharanand Finn.

All of these books were excellent reads and I would recommend them all. Several of these ones were not solely running books but both valuable and entertaining which are applicable and useful in my personal running journey.

Looking ahead to 2023

1. Run over 3500 kms

Stepping it up into new territory! I was injured and a bit sick for several weeks in 2022 which made it difficult to venture into the world of running 3000+ kms for the year. In 2023 as I’ll be running the UTA and potentially several other longer events, 3500 should be achievable…with a little hard work and dedication.

Check out my 2023 Race Schedule.

2. Qualify for the UTMB!

In 2023 I’ll be running the UTA and as long is I finish, I will have the UTMB Index for the 100km distance (CCC) and for the 171 km event (UTMB). See what that all means here. I’ll also have collected 3 running stones which I’ll need to enter the UTMB lottery. Yes it’s all very confusing, but as long as it doesn’t keep changing, I’ll be in the draw!

3. Hit my Running Race Time Goals

I’ve set some tough race time goals for 2023. They are as follows:

5k: 16:30, 10k: 35:00, HM: 80:00, Marathon: 2:55:00

I think they are all achievable. Tough, but manageable.

4. Reach 150 Parkruns and Volunteer 5 times

Currently on 114 Parkruns, I’ll need to complete the same amount that I did in 2022. Tough, but possible. I also need to get my number of times volunteering up – they’re so important to ensure parkrun is able to run each week.

5. Swim 40 km

For recovery and to build my upper body strength I’ll utilise the two words most hated by runners – cross training! In years past, swimming has improved my breathing, recovery and muscles as well as improving my upper body strength. In 2021 it was difficult to get to the pool with it being closed for so long! At 40 km a year, this is around 3 swims every 2 months. Definitely achievable.

6. Read 6 Running Books

Because if you’re not running, why not be reading about running!

What are your goals for 2023?