race.Distance goals are those where the distance is the goal rather than a specific time, such as running a marathon. These are often seen with beginners or those moving up to a new distance.Challenge goals can be quite broad and can feature specific

, there are the performance related targets. Perhaps the ultimate goal could be a reward for all the hard work and reaching short term targets through the course of the year, like a trip to race in an exotic destination. Many people will be looking to run their first marathon

Andy Dixon, Editor-in-ChiefRunner since: 2007Biggest running achievement in 2011: Achieving a new marathon PB (3:08:33) at Boston in April. I trained hard for four months, gave up booze and organised weekends around long runs, so it was nice when

."It's hard to be motivated about something that's too far away to get excited about or too big to believe in," explains cognitive hypnotherapist Trevor Silvester (questinstitute.co.uk), also a keen sportsman.Set smaller goals, and you'll feel proud

fitness and build on it. Whether you want to work on your motivation, speed, strength or endurance, we’ve got a plan for you.SUMMER ACHIEVEMENT: Became a runnerAUTUMN GOAL: Stay motivatedThis summer, you became a runner (maybe again). Congrats. Now

training plan, diet and race-day strategy. "Every race is a puzzle," says coach Jeff Horowitz, author of My First 100 Marathons (£15.99, Skyhorse Publishing). "Look for clues to solve it." Did you rest enough during your taper? Did you go out too fast? Did

," says Taylor. Ease in with achievable goals, like finishing your first half-marathon. In  time, you'll gain enough confidence to set larger goals.Check YourselfRevving to go or stalled at the start? Find out by adding or subtracting points for each

Leigh says the groups have done brilliantly."We've seen some people go from one session a week to running half-marathons," he says. "Some even run the full marathon." The Spartans hosted six events and series in 2009, including the Stevenage Half-Marathon

runner, but it has enabled me to push past my fears of competition, realise my potential, and set attainable goals,” says Eve Kaplan, a York-based lawyer.14. Set goals “Whether it was a desire to run faster or to run a marathon, I had to set a goal. After

starting to run, or overcoming obstacles. It might be about your marathon build-up, or race-day. It might just be an account of a run on a clear, fresh day. The possibilities are endless.Each month's best stories will appear in the three magazines and win a