Top Trail Runners Share Their New Year’s Resolutions

Three days into 2016, you’re probably hard at work on your New Year’s resolution to exercise every day—or have already abandoned it.

Relax, not even the fittest trail runners in the country are perfect. Like everyone else, they’re constantly trying to improve, on and off the trail. So, out of curiosity, we asked 13 pros what their resolutions (or “goals,” as some preferred to call them) were for the coming year.

Magdalena Boulet, 2015 Western States 100 winner:

My New Year’s resolution is to treat my body and mind with a little more respect in 2016. I would like to dedicate more time to meditation and injury-prevention massage.

Sage Canaday, three-time Speedgoat 50K winner:

1. Try to run over 4,500 miles in 2016;

2. Aim to eat about one pound of fruits and veggies everyday;

3. Go to bed closer to midnight instead of 1 a.m.!

Jamil Coury, completed HURT 100, Hardrock and UTMB in 2015:

Return to a consistent running schedule of six to seven days a week and really focus on “getting out the door” daily for an outdoor activity. I hope this will help my overall mood but also my fitness as I train for the Barkley Marathons this spring.

Anna Frost, 2015 Hardrock 100 winner:

No regrets.

Stephanie Howe, 2014 Western States 100 winner:

My goals for 2016 are to continue to seek balance in everyday life and live with passion.

Dakota Jones, 2014 Moab Trail Marathon winner:

My first New Year’s resolution is to stop bitching so much.

My second one is to write a book. (I’m currently working on a mystery thriller based in Colorado.)

My third resolution is to actually finish more than three races of any kind next year, which would be a big step up from this year.

In other words, number 3 is another way of saying I want to get healthy—but it’s in violation of number 1 already. The problem is that if I complete number 2, I may not have enough time to do well at number 3, although once again, here I am in violation of number 1.

It’s going to be a hell of a year, I can tell you that much.

Nikki Kimball, 10-time top-10 finisher at the Western States 100:

I really don’t have any: I resolved decades ago to stop with the New Year’s resolution thing.

Instead, I now make, then break, resolutions on a frequent basis: keep the house clean, keep up with paperwork, keep up with emails, etc. I cannot seem to keep any resolution that keeps me indoors longer than needed!

Max King, 2014 Chuckanut 50K winner:

First, I’m working more on my strength. Strength training with heavy weights and lots of elevation gain. The goal is to have a great race at Comrades [a 56-mile road ultra in South Africa] this spring and carry that fitness to a strong win (?) at the Leadville 100 in August. I’d put those goals at the top of my list going into this new, exciting year ahead.

Rob Krar, two-time Western States 100 winner:

I’m going to continue to step out of my comfort zone and learn from those experiences. In 2015, it has led to great success and numbing failure and I’m actually thankful for both.

I’d also like to become proficient on the bow drill.

Kaci Lickteig, 2014 Javelina Jundred winner:

Minimize stress and find joy and gratefulness in each day.

David Roche, 2015 Leadville Trail Heavy Half Marathon winner:

In 2016, I want to say “hi” to everyone I can while on the trails. All too often, I wind up in my own little world where I view fellow trail runners and hikers as Ninja Warrior-style obstacles, rather than as part of the shared trail community. So I plan to offer lots more smiles, “hello”s and “you’re doing awesome”s in 2016.

I think I make a crappy trail ninja anyway.

Chris Vargo, 2014 Way Too Cool 50K and Cayuga Trails 50 winner:

Continue to overcome health issues—and also work on my road rage.

Michael Wardian, 2015 Eastern States 100 winner:

I would like to see more of the world and my family as much as possible. I am also working to learn French and increase my very basic understanding of Spanish.