THINK OF A next-level endurance feat. The kind of aspiration that sends chills down your spine and triggers a bit of imposter syndrome, like running a mile time that’s faster than when you were at your fittest, or even signing up for a marathon when you don’t run at all.
Now, turn that up a few notches, far outside the realm of what’s considered normal. Conceptualizing a “crazy” running goal is one thing. But executing it? That’s a whole different ballgame. Just ask 23-year-old Wyatt Moss, who set an audacious plan to run a marathon in all 50 states last year. When the woodworker-turned-influencer made the decision to go after his big goal, his mission was simple: “I wanted to make social media a full-time career, and do something challenging that would change me to the core,” he recently told Men’s Health.
The idea stemmed from a personal challenge he took on in October 2023, when he committed to running a mile every day. That inspired him to aim to run one marathon per month, which then spiraled into what ultimately became the 50 states challenge. Moss admits that he didn’t really enjoy running at the beginning of last year—but now he says he’s come to love it. He credits the 1,310-mile journey with helping him become a better version of himself.
“I put in the time, got better at it,” Moss said. “You never know what becoming disciplined in one area of your life will translate to.” For him, that meant that he could become the type of person who could wrangle the complicated logistics of travel, training, race entries, and more while also creating videos that fellow runners (and run-curious people) would find resonant.
There is a certainly seems to be an online component to challenges like Moss’s; posts about these out-of-the box endurance challenges (like run streaks) have become more common for runners to see every time they open up a social media app. But there are also people who approach these projects from a different perspective. Thomas Bailey, who goes by the name Tommie Runz online, is another person who has taken on a major running challenge. His next-level goal was to run all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors in 2024, a feat that he couldn’t have fathomed eight years ago when he set out on a journey of sobriety.
“Running forces me to be present,” Bailey said, reflecting on how the sport has been a massive tool in the transformation of his life. “You can think about all the things you want to, but when you’re tired, you have the opportunity to really focus on the right now rather than worry about what’s happening 10 miles down the road.”
Bailey was able to secure entries to the marathons through a combination of sponsors and raising money for charity, recognizing that his was “a privileged position” to be in, since all the travel, race entries, and other aspects of the project aren’t usually attainable for everyday runners. On the heels of his six-marathon accomplishment, he’s going to chisel yet another outlandish endurance accomplishment to his resumé—and use his platform and love for running to do some good.
This year, Bailey will be taking on The Speed Project, a roughly 340-mile unsanctioned run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, as a solo participant. He plans to donating the proceeds of his fundraising to Release Recovery, a non-profit that helps individuals and their families recover from substance use and mental health disorders through customized treatment and transitional living opportunities.
Normal Goals Are Great, Too
Understandably, not every guy’s trying to go from zero to 100 and take on the types of next-level challenges like Moss and Bailey. While you may not be hitting up an ultramarathon any time soon, there are benefits to aiming high and dreaming big—maybe you start with a mileage goal every week, or you sign up for that 10K your buddies have talked about doing. You’ll be in good company, too: Last year, 72 percent of users who set goals on Strava, the popular social media app for active-types, met them, according to the company’s Year In Sport report.
The key is developing a game plan for success. One go-to has been around for decades. First developed by psychologist Edwin A. Locke in 1968—then refined by Locke and Gary Latham in the 1990s—goal setting theory posits that specific and challenging goals lead to better performance than vague or easy goals.
But where do you start? “It begins with knowing what your motivation is,” says Dr. Stephen Gonzales, CMPC, Assistant Athletics Director for Leadership and Performance at Dartmouth College. “Some people who are consistently setting these big goals may be seeking the attention that comes with accomplishing them. Intrinsic motivation is important, and we want to avoid doing too much too soon to negate injury risk.”
Some examples of intrinsic motivation, per Dr. Gonzales’ emphasis, would be a genuine enjoyment for the feeling of being outdoors, the physical challenge of pushing yourself, or a desire to lower your cholesterol or resting heart rate, knowing that both could have positive implications for mortality. Meanwhile, external motivation examples are more tangible, and include outcomes like receiving a trophy for winning a race or being recognized by one’s peers for their accomplishments on social media.
How to Set Achievable Running Goals
Looking to set some realistic goals of your own? Here are five expert-backed tips to help you in the pursuit of your running goals:
Set Goals with Flexibility
Instead of setting rigid goals, Dr. Gonzales suggests using “goal windows” where you define a minimum and an ideal threshold for your goal. For example, instead of aiming to run exactly 30 miles per week, you might aim for 22 to 30 miles. This allows for adaptability when life gets in the way, helping maintain motivation despite unpredictable events.
Implement “When-Then” Thinking
This strategy involves planning what to do when obstacles occur. For example, if the weather is bad for running outside, you might decide to use a rowing machine to get in cardio for the day instead. This pre-planning, asking yourself questions like, “what’s within my control here?” can help ensure that you can still work towards your goal even when the conditions aren’t ideal.
Ask For Help
If you’re venturing into an area where you lack experience—maybe working on a speed-related goal for the first time when you’ve otherwise been a slow and controlled guy—Dr. Gonzales recommends consulting with certified experts.
Remember: Just because someone is good at running doesn’t mean that they can coach you safely, so make sure to inquire about their qualifications. Aim to work with coaches with certifications from organizations like the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA), USATF, and ISSA.
“The right coach will understand to coach you safely and increase your volume, and alter your training in line with your goals,” says Dr. Gonzales. “It’s also helpful to have someone to talk about your likes and dislikes with, this way you’re enjoying the journey to get to where you want to be.”
Be Ready to Pivot or Adapt Goals
Mental toughness is more than just pushing through challenges when the work gets hard. It also involves making difficult decisions—even ones that will jeopardize your larger objective. Gonzales suggests that if a goal no longer excites you or becomes too challenging, embrace the pivot. This might mean something like choosing a lesser distance in a race or shifting a weekly mileage goal to better fit your current circumstances or feelings, ensuring that your pursuit stays enjoyable (and safe, too).
Enlist A Support Squad
Going after your goals is better together. This doesn’t mean that your best friend needs to also want to push the pace at the next local race. But, they can be a sounding board for you along the way—even better if they hop in on some of the training, too. Working out with a friend can be more motivating than going at it solo, according to a 2021 study.
“Surround yourself with people that are going to help you talk through and reason through some of your decisions,” says Dr. Gonzales. “People that care about you and can be your support system can be a really big help training for something exciting.”
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