The Importance of Goals, Part II

The October issue of Outside has a quote from ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes about how to approach goals: "Think only about the present and focus on micro-goals. Just make it to that stop sign up ahead; OK, now make it to the tree up the street: and so on."

The Importance of Goals

One of the trainers at Velocity has one overriding goal -- get a spot on the U.S. rugby team. He gears nearly everything he does toward reaching that goal.

For those of us over 40, serious athletic goals like that are probably long past. But we still can set goals, and they'll drive us toward life-long fitness. Simple goals work, such as doing one more rep or just a bit more weight each time you go to the gym. Then there are bigger goals, such as running the fastest mile of your life or completing a triathlon.

My most recent goal was to go the length of the track -- 30 yards -- at Velocity with my feet on a dolly. Let me explain: The idea is to walk on your hands and pull the dolly by piking your body up. So you walk out a couple of hand lengths, pike your body up, which pulls the dolly and then walk out again. It works so many parts of your body, from your core to your shoulders.

I'd made it 20 yards twice but that was it. Last night, I made the entire way.

So pick a goal and pursue it. Then find another and another.