NEW YEAR, NEW _________!

With a new year comes a fresh perspective and New Goals!

As the calendar flips to a new year, it’s a time for fresh starts and endless possibilities. For many, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the past and set intentions for the future. But what fills the blank in “New Year, New ___” is deeply personal. It could be a new goal, a new mindset, or even a new approach to life.

For us, 2024 was a year of transformation through our 5k challenge—12 races in 12 months. We learned to embrace challenges, celebrate progress, and stay consistent, even when it wasn’t easy. Now, as we step into 2025, we’re thinking about what comes next.

“New Year, New Goals” might mean stepping up to a longer race or trying a new fitness challenge. “New Year, New Perspective” could mean focusing on gratitude or finding joy in the process instead of the outcome. And for some, “New Year, New Adventure” might be as simple as exploring new trails or traveling to unfamiliar places.

For us, it’s “New Year, New Shoes!”

When I got my current pair of running shoes, I learned they had a lifespan of about 350 miles. At the time, I thought, “Cool! This is the last pair I’ll ever have to buy.” Fast forward two years, and with one of my final runs of 2024, I hit the 350-mile mark. Who knew I’d actually make it that far?

We started 2025 with new running shoes and the new goal of wearing them out.

So with Christmas money burning holes in our pockets (Thank you Cindy and Larry and Joyce!) Jenny and I ventured off to Fleet Feet for a foot scan and a new pair of running shoes.

So here we are, starting 2025 with a brand-new pair of shoes and a fresh perspective. It feels symbolic, doesn’t it? A clean slate, fresh kicks, and a world of possibilities ahead. And it only seems fitting that if we're breaking in a new pair of shoes, our goal should be to wear them out by the end of the year.

That’s right—for Jenny and I, our new goal for 2025 is to run 350 miles! It’s a big number but

The ROTY Running Club started 2025 with Jennifer and Andy running the "First On the First" 5K at Otterbein University

what we learned from last year is that breaking down big goals makes it seem more achievable, kinda like eating an elephant! (one bite at a time) So you break it down and it’s just under 30 miles a month, or about a mile a day. Some runs will be longer, some shorter, but the focus will be on showing up, staying consistent, and putting those miles under our belts (or, more accurately, under our soles).

Whatever fills the blank for you, remember that it doesn’t have to be groundbreaking. Small changes can lead to big results. Maybe it’s “New Year, New Habits” like drinking more water or getting outside more often. Or maybe it’s “New Year, New You”—not in the sense of becoming someone entirely different, but by embracing the best version of yourself.

As we kick off another year, let’s celebrate the blank space and the freedom it gives us to grow, dream, and try. So here’s to a new year full of possibilities and the courage to make it whatever we want it to be.

What’s your “New Year, New ___”? Let us know in the comments!