What if I told you that the running goal that you’re dreaming of might actually be harder to achieve if you focus on it too much? It’s true. So what’s the best way to have big goals yet hold them loosely and then actually achieve them? Let’s find out. On today’s show, we’ll explore the practice of effective goal setting. We’ll go over: How goal setting is necessary yet not enough, How a results-oriented focus can keep you from getting the results you want, and We’ll look at better ways to set running goals that you can actually achieve rather than just circling a race date in the future and dreaming about it. If you’ve just run a big race this season and you are taking some downtime to reassess where your running is going right now, this is the perfect time to reflect and plan a new running cycle where you are in control of your success each and every day. Welcome to the Planted Runner. I’m Coach Claire Bartholic and my mission is to help you improve your running, your mindset, and your life with science-backed training and plant-based nutrition. If you need more help, you can order my book The Planted Runner: Running Your Best With Plant-Based Nutrition wherever you get books or request a copy from your local library. Don’t forget to stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode for another Mental Strength Minute. Fortify your mind in 60 seconds or less. LINKS: If you’d like help directly from me, you can check out my freebies, personal coaching, and sign up for my PR Team at https://www.theplantedrunner.com/link. For my recommendations of at-home equipment and other running products I recommend, check out my curated list on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shop/theplantedrunner EARTH BREEZE Get your stinkiest running clothes clean (without the mess and plastic waste). Join me and the 2,000,000+ happy customers who made the switch to laundry detergent eco sheets, an elegant solution to the endless plastic jugs piling up in our landfills and laundry rooms. Get started today and enjoy 40% off when you subscribe and save. Cancel any time. Love your laundry or your money back guaranteed. https://earthbreeze.com/pages/plantedrunner NOURIFY PLUS from PREVINEX: Simply the highest quality, best tasting plant-based protein powder you can buy. If you are ready to simplify your nutrition and optimize your fueling, you can try Nourify for 20% off the regular price with my unique link https://previnex.refr.cc/default/u/claireb RECENT REVIEWS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Great snack sized bits of running info “Stumbled across this podcast the other day and finding it very useful. Each episode is short and to the point with actionable information for the listener. You won’t find case studies and long episodes with this one, there are time and place for those as well. But sometimes you just want an episode you can get through in one quick setting.” Fireplug 4760 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I am so excited for this podcast! “I can’t even count the number of hours that I’ve listened to Claire on my runs. As a newer plant-based runner, this new podcast is right up my alley. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so freely and generously!” lilitalia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Great show! “I always enjoy listening to the show—I love the realistic and well-balanced attitude towards running and overall lifestyle. Lots of great information and it’s a fun listen!” WeeWonders Music Credits: Music from Uppbeat