There’s something exhilarating about setting new goals.
It reminds me of my previous life as a teacher, returning to school after summer vacation and walking into a new classroom of eager teenagers—full of potential, adventure, and just a bit of uncertainty.
Brainstorming new challenges and imagining the victories is a ritual I look forward to, whether back in the day as Ms. Tocci with my students, helping my current athletes choose their next race, or my very own running goals.
This year, my running resolutions are a mix of bold, adventurous, demanding, and just plain old fun.
They’ll certainly push me out of my comfort zone, keep me motivated, and hopefully create some great stories along the way.
For 2025, my race calendar is packed with a variety of activities: a road marathon, a “hybrid” sporting event, and a 100-mile trail ultra. I also have a pretty important process goal spanning the entire year.
Each goal represents a unique challenge—let’s just say it’ll be a year to remember.
Goal #1: PR at Boston
If there’s one race that’s deeply etched into my soul, it’s the Boston Marathon.
Growing up in Newton, Mass., I spent many Patriots’ Days perched on the corner of the fire station, cheering on runners as they tackled Heartbreak Hill.
Boston is more than just a race for me; it’s tradition. This year, I won’t be watching it from the sidelines, though. I’ll run my little heart out with determination and chase a PR, which won’t be easy, considering that, well, it’s Boston.
Being my hometown and all, I hope to see plenty of familiar faces as I round the corner of Comm Ave.
Three of my athletes are also running Boston: two coming in from Singapore and one from Switzerland. They’re chasing some pretty hot times, so I’m hoping they’ll wait for me at the finish line—maybe with some Dunkin’ coffee and donuts as a consolation prize if things go sideways.
My time goal is aggressive, but I’m ready to put in the work. We all know that doesn’t promise anything come race day.
Of course, as I strongly suggest to all of my athletes, I’ll have an A, B, and C goal. As runners, we know better than to put all our faith in Plan A.
Boston, I’m coming for you.
Goal #2: Prioritize fueling for performance
As much as I’d love to say I practice what I preach to my athletes and nail my nutrition on the daily, I have a bad habit of operating in a caloric deficit.
Even though I have the best sports nutritionist on the planet guiding me, a plan is only as good as the commitment behind it. This year, I’m determined to respect my body’s needs and fuel enough to support my training, recovery, and long-term goals.
For me, this means eating enough on a daily basis to meet the demands of my training runs and never underestimating the importance of proper nutrition before long runs and key workouts.
I’ve been guilty of skimping on gels or pushing through long efforts without adequate fueling, (so ultra of me), but that has to stop now if I want a chance to achieve my goals.
I have to stick to my nutrition plan, carb up on the days that count (Michael has suggested making the cereal aisle my best friend and I am all for that), and fuel during every long run with the same focus I bring to race day.
No more shortcuts—because great performances start with great preparation, and that includes what’s on my plate!
Goal #3: Tackle a HYROX Race
If you haven’t heard of a HYROX race, here it is in a nutshell.
HYROX is like a fitness obstacle course on repeat: you run 1K as fast as possible, then tackle a workout station like a sled push, burpee broad jumps, and sandbag lunges. Rinse and repeat eight times, and voilà, you’ve got a hybrid race that will make you question your life choices.
Sounds fun, right?
Coming from an ultra and trail running background, this will be a serious change from my norm.
Sprinting all-out for shorter distances? That’s not exactly in my comfort zone; I’m used to running more at tractor speed.
However, I’ve always called myself a “hybrid” athlete, bouncing between trails and roads, so why not add another dimension to the mix?
The thought of balancing speed, strength, and endurance seems like just the perfect challenge for me. Plus, nothing is better than getting my body primed for the ultra-running season, which leads me to my last goal:
Goal #4: Conquer The Run Rabbit Run 100-Miler
If there’s one thing I love more than running ultras, it’s supporting someone else through their ultra journey. I think that’s why I was a teacher and then became a coach.
Trail running, for me, is all about companionship and solidarity.
This September at Run Rabbit Run in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I’ll be sharing the trails with my long-time training partner Jonathan in his first 100-miler.
Run Rabbit Run is an awesome (and I’ve heard pretty brutal) trail race that winds through the Rocky Mountains with over 20,000 feet of elevation gain.
It’s the kind of race where you’re rewarded with epic views, a community of inspiring runners, and legs that will hate you for days, as per regular with most 100-mile races.
The months of training will be weekdays packed with speed and endurance runs, weight training, and healthy, hearty meals, while the weekends will be non-stop back-to-back long runs with endless hours running through the peaks of Costa Rica.
On race day, my job as a running partner is simple: keep him moving, feed him snacks, and make sure he doesn’t mistake a rock for a race volunteer and try to hand it his water bottle. (it’s happened to me). When those hallucinations kick in late in the race, two heads are better than one trying to decipher the real from the imaginary.
But it’s more than all that, too. I want to be a steady presence, someone who can make him laugh when he’s hurting and remind him why he signed up for this madness in the first place.
And while my primary goal is to get him across the finish line happy, healthy, and hungry for more, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t also looking forward to soaking in the experience myself. The camaraderie, the starlit trails, the shared triumph—it’s what makes ultrarunning so special.
If 2025 is anything like I’m imagining, it will be a year of sweat, laughter, and a few “Why am I doing this?” moments. (Especially during the 100-miler!)
Each of these goals is a chance to push my limits and embrace the unpredictable. They’ll require hard work, dedication, and probably a lot of snacks, mostly chocolate chip cookies, my favorite.
But that’s the beauty of running: it’s not just about the finish line. It’s about the journey, the people you meet, and the stories you create along the way.
So here’s to 2025—to new challenges, adventures, and the joy of running into the unknown.
Check out the rest of the crew’s 2025 running resolutions!
