Going for personal records? Look to these runners for inspiration

Gutt's new friend competed in more than Muay Thai, it turns out. She was also an ultrarunner and competitive triathlete. "I was so intrigued," admits Gutt. "Almost every runner I had met to that point hated running, like me. After talking with her, however, we made plans to meet up and run a local 10k."

The race served as Gutt's first time running outside. "Let's just say I wasn't optimistic about the race, but I was excited to try because it was a race setting and would probably be more exciting than the treadmill," says Gutt. It turned out to be more than just 10 kilometres. It was Gutt's moment of transformation with running, turning it into a passion that has opened up an entire world for her.

As her competitive nature kicked in, Gutt surprised herself by breaking an hour in the race. She was also surprised by what became a transformative moment in her life: She was hooked on running. "From then on, I took my runs outside," she says. "It became a lifestyle, not an association with losing weight or being in 'fight shape.' Today I use running for physical and mental health."

She also uses running to achieve new goals, both in distance and in time, and to prove to herself that she can overcome setbacks. In the past few years, Gutt has endured two ankle surgeries and, in both cases, she returned to running and racing stronger than ever. "After my first surgery to repair stabilizing tendons, I had to spend two months on crutches," she explains. "Learning to live on one foot was hard."

In spite of that, Gutt motivated herself to get back to training as soon as she was cleared and even turned to trail running, which filled her with fear, but also joy. Now she has new goals she wants to pursue. "I slowly started running trails in 2018 and found a huge sense of adventure from being in the wilderness," she says. "I haven't been able to run an ultra yet because of ongoing issues with my ankle, but I'm determined to get there."

When life gives you lemons, set personal records

Running can have a transformative impact on your life on its own, but when things don't go as planned, the motivation and drive to roll with the punches can have its own revelatory effects.

Like many runners, 29-year-old Tom Lau had big race plans for 2020. And like most, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lau had to adjust his goals and figure out if and why he wanted to keep moving forward with training plans. The answer was yes, and in the process of training for — and completing — his first two marathons as virtual events, the Brooklyn-based architectural designer learned a few important things about himself.

Both the New York City Marathon and Chicago Marathon were on Lau's race docket last fall, and in spite of the fact that the two races were scheduled just two weeks apart, he was all in. Once they both went virtual, however, Lau questioned whether he could summon the enthusiasm for two solo marathons. "I honestly didn't know how I would feel about running my first marathon virtually, without all the cheering crowds that I had seen in the photos," he admits.

When New York announced it was going virtual, Lau still had hopes that Chicago would continue on in a live format. Those hopes were dashed last July, however. "I was devastated, but once it went virtual as well, I thought, 'Why not?'"

Following a training plan, Lau set to work prepping for both marathons, knowing they would be all the tougher on his own instead of feeding off the energy of the roaring crowds and fellow runners. October rolled around and it was time to put his efforts to the test, taking on the virtual Chicago Marathon. "I had no time goals," says Lau. "I just wanted to say I finished 42 kilometres."

Lau did just that and then three weeks later, on the same half-mile loop, ran his virtual New York City Marathon. "I didn't give up and I knew what I was capable of, so I did it," says Lau. "I proved myself capable, not once, but twice."

In the midst of gaining a new distance personal record, Lau was able to see his hard work pay off in spades, setting personal records at several distances en route to the two marathons. "Throughout my training, I improved in spite of bad days," he says. "That is the running goal I am most proud of and will most remember."

Build on your running successes

For 51-year-old executive coach, management consultant and author Christine McHugh, who has been running for about a decade, the thrill of achieving personal records is still there.

"I did my first 5K in my early 40s and it took me 40 minutes," she says. "My current 5K personal record is 24 minutes. That's a huge improvement and it motivates me to do hard things and achieve great progress when I put my mind to it."

She put that attitude to the test when trying marathons for the first time in 2016, finishing the New York City Marathon in 4:40. In 2018, McHugh ran her third marathon — the California International — in a huge personal record of 3:58. "I cried with positivity and gratitude when I crossed that finish line," she says. "I was so proud of myself."

To continue to go after those personal records and keep the flame burning, McHugh employs a methodical approach to setting goals. "I set goals that are a stretch, yet still achievable," she says. "Having goals helps me stay on track and not get distracted by bright, shiny objects."