As we turn the calendar to January, the world gets loud. Our feeds are flooded with "New Year, New Me" posts, the gyms are packed, and our Strava segments suddenly get a lot more competitive. It is the season of the Resolution.
But in the endurance world, we know that motivation is a spark, while discipline is the fire. Resolutions often fade by February because they rely on the spark. To build something that lasts—to build a runner—we need a different mindset.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that I find myself returning to every time I start a new training block or feel regret over a missed season:
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today."
We are all guilty of looking backward. We wish we had run in college. We wish we hadn’t taken that three-year break. We wish we had started our base building back in October. It is easy to look at the "tree" we could have had—the massive aerobic base, the durability, the PRs—and feel discouraged that it isn't standing tall right now.
But staring at the empty patch of soil doesn’t grow a forest.
Endurance is the ultimate long-term investment. Much like a tree, fitness does not appear overnight. It requires roots first. It requires the quiet, invisible work of easy miles, strength training, and recovery. It requires weathering storms and surviving droughts.
There is no better way to invest in your future self than by prioritizing your physical and mental capacity today. When you lace up your shoes this January, don't do it because you feel guilty about the holidays. Do it because you are making a deposit into the bank of your future health, resilience, and longevity.
Don't wait for the perfect conditions. The "perfect time" to start was 20 years ago. Since we missed that window, let’s stop waiting for the perfect weather, the perfect gear, or the perfect schedule. Those things do not exist.
If you are standing on the edge of a new goal—whether it’s your first 5K or your tenth ultra—stop looking at the calendar and wishing you had started sooner. Take the first step. Plant the seed.
The best time to invest in yourself is right now.
Need help planting that tree?
As a certified endurance coach, I help athletes move past the "resolution" phase and into sustainable, lifelong performance. Whether you are looking to tackle a new distance or simply want to build structure into your running, I am here to help guide the way. Feel free to reach out to me directly for coaching inquiries or training plans.