The calendar has finally ticked over to 2021, and many of us are wondering how to set running goals in a year with so much uncertainty around races. Fortunately, we here at The Final Turn are here to help! We’ve developed a 2021 running checklist of running achievements for runners of all skill levels that we think are fun, achievable, and inspiring. Compete with your friends and family to see who can tick the most boxes!
| Easy | Medium | Hard |
|---|---|---|
| Run three days in a row | Run seven days in a row | Run 30 days in a row |
| Run with someone else | Run with two other people | Run with 4+ other people |
| Cross a river twice | Cross a river four times | Cross a river eight times |
| Cross five bridges | Cross 10 bridges | Cross 15 bridges |
| Run in two parks on a single run | Run in four parks on a single run | Run in eight parks on a single run |
| Cross a county line | Cross a state line | Cross a national border |
| Perform two repetitions of a hill (walk or jog down) | Perform five hill repeats | Perform ten hill repeats |
| Climb 300 feet over a run | Climb 800 feet over a run | Climb 3,000 feet over a run |
| Climb 500 feet in a week | Climb 1,300 feet in a week | Climb 5,000 feet in a week |
| Climb 1,200 feet in a month | Climb 3,200 feet in a month | Climb 12,000 feet in a month |
| Run during the 6 AM hour | Run during the 12 AM hour | Run during the 3 AM hour |
| Begin a run at least 8 hours after last eating | Begin a run at least 16 hours after last eating | Begin a run at least 24 hours after last eating |
| Run for 20 minutes | Run for 90 minutes | Run for 3 hours, 30 minutes |
| Run twice in a day | Run three times in a day | Run four times in a day |
| Run 15 miles in a week | Run 40 miles in a week | Run 70 miles in a week |
| Run 50 miles in a month | Run 135 miles in a month | Run 235 miles in a month |
| Race or run 1 mile for time | Race or run a half marathon for time | Race or run a marathon for time |
| Run in the rain | Run while it is snowing | Run with a starting air temperature over 95 degrees |
| Draw your initials on a running route | Draw a heart on a running route and send it to someone you care for | Draw an original piece of art on a running route |
| Do a "speed" workout at a track or by adding formal speed intervals to a flat running route | Do a "speed" workout twice in two weeks | Do a "speed" workout five times in a month |
For everyone:
Run or walk at least an hour without tracking yourself using any hardware.
Run around a lake.
Run with a dog.
Do a “long run” at one minute slower per mile than your typical long run pace.
Listen to a full album while on a run.
Finish an audiobook that you listened to exclusively while running.
Run and swim on the same day.
Run and bike on the same day.
Run and ski or snowboard or surf on the same day.
Take a selfie in front of a major landmark in your city and send it to us @thefinalturnpod on Twitter!
Count the number of "hellos" you can get back if you say hello to every runner you pass*.
Count the number of snowmen you see on a winter run*.
Count the number of skeletons you see on a fall run*.
Count the number of national flags you see during the month of your country's biggest national holiday*.
* Let us know how many you count @thefinalturnpod on Twitter!
Run in costume (ideas: green on Saint Patrick’s day, rainbow for pride, elf costume).
Run to the highest safely runnable point of whatever municipality you live in.
Run during an air show*.
Run during a fireworks display*.
Run around a stadium during a game*.
Run around a concert venue during a concert*.
* Pandemic allowing.
Convince someone else to give running a shot. Encourage them to commit to three runs over a two week period.
Run to AND from a meal. We recommend brunch.
Pick a new stretch or exercise (ideas: try to touch your toes, plank for 60 seconds, do 10 pushups) and commit to doing it every day for a week.
Run with your shirt off! You'll feel free. And let us know how it goes at @thefinalturnpod.
