Setting Yourself Up for a Successful Year of Running (Women’s Training, Habits & Mindset)

Starting the Year Strong: Setting Yourself Up for Running Success in 2026

Women’s Running Collective Podcast

Welcome to our first episode of 2026 🎉 and a little moment to pause, reflect, and set the tone for the year ahead. In this episode, Hayles and Jussie celebrate three years of the Women’s Running Collective podcast (Well kinda) more like we are in our third year, share a big holiday catch-up, and chat about easing back into running after the festive season.

This one is all about starting the year strong (without going too hard, too soon). We talk goal setting, finding your “why,” building habits that actually stick, and redefining what success in running really looks like especially as women balancing real life.

Whether you’re training for something specific or just hoping to feel good moving your body again, this episode is full of gentle motivation, practical tips, and honest reflections to help you start 2026 feeling confident and supported.

⏱️ Episode Time Stamps

00:00 – Nostalgic Infomercials & Childhood Memories A light-hearted start as we head down memory lane.

00:14 – Welcome to the Women’s Running Collective Kicking off 2026 together and welcoming listeners into a new year.

00:29 – Reflecting on the Past Year A little look back at what 2025 taught us — on and off the run.

00:56 – Holiday Highlights & Family Time Festive season chats, rest, and finding joy outside of training.

01:25 – Running Adventures & Parkrun Stories Easy runs, family parkruns, and easing back into routine.

02:21 – Starting the Year with a Positive Mindset Why January doesn’t have to mean pressure, punishment, or perfection.

08:00 – Setting Goals & Finding Your ‘Why’ How to set meaningful, achievable goals that actually motivate you.

15:04 – Planning for a Successful Year of Running Structure, flexibility, and allowing space for life to happen.

20:08 – Reflecting on Last Year’s Deload Weeks Why rest weeks matter more than you think.

20:31 – The Importance of Strength & Mobility Training Supporting your running with strength, mobility, and longevity in mind.

22:39 – Fueling Like a Runner Why eating enough is part of training (and not optional).

25:34 – The Power of Running with a Community How connection keeps us consistent and lifts us on hard days.

28:21 – Measuring Success Differently Moving beyond PBs and redefining what “progress” looks like.

32:51 – Vision Boards & Atomic Habits Layering small habits, building momentum, and dreaming big (without burnout).

34:06 – Final Thoughts & Recommendations Encouragement for the year ahead and a reminder: you’re doing better than you think.

Hayley reccomended

@Total.balance.nutrition Nicole Miller (nutritionist)

AND this podcast about habit stacking

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SJytDQlco71aFzzTIt2vV?si=aNe5ZeWvSui1Jz2AT9y-UA

💛 Key Takeaways

• You don’t need to “start over” — just start where you are

• Easy runs, rest, and strength matter

• Success isn’t just pace or distance

• Community makes running better

• Small habits add up in big ways

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who’s easing back into running this year, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in 2026 🏃‍♀️✨

XO Hayles and Jussie