Goals for 2026: Finding New Normal

It happened on Pre’s Trail in Eugene last month. Call it an epiphany. Call it a defining moment. Or just call it a good day. Regardless, I left that workout with a greater determination and goal.

I wanted to run again.

It was a cool, foggy morning. A soundtrack of late 1983 music kept me company on those sawdust trails as I alternated five minutes of running with three minutes of walking. Although it was a world removed from what I’d have been doing just six months earlier, I savored every second of being able to simply run.

Enough so that it’s my primary goal for 2026.

Typically, my goals are developed based on reviewing previous goals, addressing challenges or anticipating key races. This year is different. I’ve really no idea what I can and can’t do for the upcoming year. While I have other goals that I will address later, the main one for me is just to be able run some reasonable distance again.

Trial and Error

It’s been quite the rollercoaster since I was cleared to resume running on November 21, four weeks after my Platelet-Rich Plasma injection. I had thought to merely ease back into morning workouts, a couple miles to start with, adding a mile or two as the weeks went on.

Not so fast, said my physical therapist, to my disdain as I felt I was more than ready.

Not so fast, said my left knee, tightening up anytime I pushed it too hard.

Without words, that same knee has proven to be quite communicative in letting me know over these past several weeks what it likes and most certainly, what it doesn’t like.

That latter list now includes setting too fast a pace on the treadmill, putting in an intense workout on the elliptical, certain stretches, standing too long at work, sitting too long at work and so on.

As per tradition, this is the album I play in my earbuds for the first run of each new year.

But I’m a quick learner. The past ten days have shown steady progress without any setbacks. Trivial as it may sound, running just over twenty-six minutes on the morning of New Years Days has been the longest I’ve run since that PRP injection on October 21st.

What’s Next?

I’m not sure where my training takes me from here. I’m assuming a combination of more miles with hopefully a return to at least some kind of speedwork. But it’s the “big picture” that's far less certain. So many questions that no one can answer.

I’d love to return to my 8-10 runs on Saturday mornings. Will my knee allow that?

Likewise, I hope to return to my weekly speed workouts with my running coach. If that happens, what will those workouts look like?

I’m signed up for the Red Flannel 10K in mid-February. Is that realistic? If so, what kind of pace can I attempt?

Then there’s my favorite race, the Eugene Half Marathon in late April. The Dam to Des Moines Half in late May. The Bix 7 in late July. What are my chances of competing in any of them?

I've no idea of this race is doable or not this year.

All of this hinges on two key questions.

• What will my left knee now tolerate?

• And how long will the PRP injection last?

Again, questions where the answers won’t be known without trying to run and compete. That leads to the following:

Running Goals for 2026

5. Be Patient. The lack of this virtue has been the greatest obstacle to my recovery. Simply put, pushing too hard will only lessen the effectiveness of the PRP and have me needing another injection that much sooner.

4. Overcome Fear. This is the flipside of the previous goal. I can’t let myself overthink every twinge or ache if I’m going to regain at least some of my speed.

3. Avoid Other Injuries. Maintaining my stretches and exercises as well as managing my miles will be essential to avoiding problems with my hamstrings, IT band and other needless injuries.

2. Compete in My Favorite Races. I’ve no idea of any of this is doable. But until I find out otherwise, I’m intending to give my best effort at the Eugene Half, Dam to Des Moines Half, Bix 7 and Des Moines Half Marathon.

1. Enjoy a Nice Run! If nothing else, my primary running goal for this upcoming year is to simply be able to go out and put in a few miles in my Nikes with some nice music playing in my earbuds.

These are not what I would have envisioned for running goals. But life has a way of quickly changing perspectives that we would not have imagined. What I do know is that I appreciate the kind words and support many of you have offered during these past several months. I plan to follow up on your thoughts in a future blog. Next post will focus on why I really and truly do not like indoor running!

Have a wonderful 2026!

Keeping me company for the early portion of 2026 are my new Nike Pegasus Pluses!