The Mind Your Miles Podcast Recap: Goal Setting, Winter Running, and More
Welcome back, runners! In our first Mind Your Miles podcast of 2025, Nick and I tackled some major topics—goal setting for the year, winter running strategies, and balancing training with life changes. Here’s a recap of our conversation, featuring some key takeaways and direct quotes from our discussion.
Goal Setting for 2025
Will’s Goal: “I don’t have one single goal. The last year or two have been a little rough with injuries and life stuff, so I just want to be healthy, race, and feel good about running again. No expectations—just workouts with no pressure, getting back in shape, and letting things fall into place.”
Nick’s Goal: “My number one goal this year is to finish a 100-miler. I’m signed up for Run Rabbit Run in September, and I just want to finish it.”
Breaking Down Goals
Big goals can be overwhelming, so we talked about the importance of breaking them into smaller, manageable pieces. Nick shared how he’s structuring his 100-miler training:
- Winter (Now – Spring): Just run consistently. No specific trail focus yet.
- Spring: Introduce more trail running, sign up for a 50K.
- Summer: Specific ultra training—hitting big climbs, getting altitude exposure, and dialing in race-specific prep.
For marathoners and other goal-oriented runners, we suggest a similar approach: define your end goal, then work backwards to structure training milestones.
How to Set Meaningful Goals
One of the biggest mistakes we see is runners setting goals that don’t align with their actual priorities. As Nick pointed out:
“People say they want to PR, but then they’re signing up for every race under the sun. If your goal is a PR, you need a race schedule that supports it. If your goal is to just run and have fun, that’s great too—but make sure your actions reflect your goals.”
Process goals—things like strength training, mobility work, or dialing in fueling—often get overlooked but are crucial for long-term success.
Winter Running Tips
Winter running is tough, but it’s a crucial time to stay consistent and build momentum for the year. Here are some of our top tips:
- Know Your Routes – “Find the safest paths after snowfall. Some cities have well-plowed bike paths or indoor tracks that runners can use.” – Will
- Use Group Runs for Motivation – “Knowing you’ve got people waiting for you helps. Plus, they know the best routes that are plowed and clear!” – Nick
- Invest in Quality Gear – “Having a good running jacket, gloves, and layers makes all the difference. Buy yourself something nice!” – Will
- Don’t Obsess Over Pace – “Cold, snow, ice—your pace is going to be slower. Don’t let that mess with your head.” – Nick
- Make Friends with the Treadmill – “Treadmills aren’t exciting, but they keep us safe and warm. Throw on a show and slow the pace down if you need to.” – Will
“Winter running can be daunting, but good gear and the right mindset make all the difference. Vests are great for keeping your core warm while allowing arm mobility, and trail shoes help with grip on icy patches.” – Will
Heat Training in Winter?
We also touched on heat training for runners preparing for spring races that could be warm (like Boston). Will noted:
“Heat adaptation doesn’t take a lot—maybe 8-10 days of sauna use can make a huge difference.”
For runners gearing up for a race with unpredictable conditions, heat exposure protocols can help improve performance in warm weather.
Gear Shoutouts
- Hoka Bondi 9 – “I’ve never been a Bondi guy, but this shoe is incredible—light, cushioned, and poppy. It’s an amazing daily trainer.” – Will
- Hoka Cielo X1 – “Been loving this non-plated racer. It’s got a super foam midsole and gives that ‘old-school fast’ feel.” – Nick
- Shokz Headphones – “Game changer for safety and awareness. Let’s you hear cars, bikers, and still enjoy music or podcasts.” – Will
Balancing Training with Life (and a New Baby!)
Nick just had a baby (congrats!) and is figuring out how to balance training, parenting, and work. His approach?
“I started a run streak—minimum one mile a day. Some days are short, some days are fast, but the habit is non-negotiable.”
Small, consistent habits go a long way in maintaining fitness during big life transitions.
Upcoming Races
Will is running the Black Canyon 50K next weekend, and Nick will be at the Mesa Marathon. We’ll have more race recaps and training insights coming your way soon!
That’s a wrap on this episode! If you enjoyed this, subscribe to the Mind Your Miles Podcast and follow us for more running insights. Got questions? Email us at mindyourmilespod@gmail.com or drop a comment below.
Until next time—keep running smart and mind your miles!
