GOAL-SETTING - July 8, 2015

Earlier today I contacted a student to determine if there was any interest in joining our team.  In my note I mentioned that I had no particular expectations since the student would be new to our sport, and that success would necessarily follow with proper training.  I suggested a Novice 5K program with a goal of running a 5K in September.  This got me thinking about an important element in Cross Country . . . goal setting.

The purpose of setting goals is to establish and enhance mental training in the sport and ultimately in life skills.  It creates a plan that provides consistent direction for training and competition.  Goals can also be checkpoints along a path to a desired end result.  For example, completing a 5K may be the first step in the long term goal of competing in college Cross Country.  There are several categories of goals: short-term, intermediate, long-term and general.  These goals provide direction for what one chooses to pursue and hopes to achieve.

Short term goals should be specific.  This can be limited to what one hopes to accomplish in a single practice, “I will run consistent repeats” or for several weeks, “I will follow the summer training program.”  Intermediate goals are not as defined as short-term goals, “complete our first 5K versus Middleboro on September 9.”  A long term goal might include “Make top 7 and run at EMass.”  General goals should be both realistic and challenging, but established to improve on current performance, whether in sports or life skills.

Each member of our team should be establishing goals for themselves for today, his/her summer training, and for the upcoming season.  Don’t simply think about establishing goals, but document them.  Write them down, keep them in view, refer to them regularly, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.