15 Essential Running Milestones to Make You a Better Runner

If you’re considering starting a running journey or just getting started, you might wonder what milestones suit you.

Running comes with many opportunities to celebrate big wins and small wins. So what should you set your sights on?

The following are 15 of the most important beginner running milestones.

Beginner Running Milestones

Although I’m referring to these as “beginner” running milestones, remember that it’s often a good idea to revisit some of these as you advance your running abilities.

These are in order, but because running journeys differ from one runner to the next, you might cross some runner milestones differently.

1. Complete your first run.

Getting the first run done might have happened for you already.

But if you’re a person who just thought that maybe you’d take up running and you ended up on this page, I’m rooting for you to get out and finish that first run. How exciting?!

2. Get fitted for your first “real” pair of running shoes.

You may be lucky and already have a great pair of running shoes. Perhaps when you decided to start a regular running routine, you invested in good shoes even before beginning.

You also might be like me. I ran in shoes that were good enough but not the best for me. Once you go to your local run store, like Fleet Feet, and get your first perfect pair of running shoes, you can check off this running milestone.

3. Sign-up for your first race.

The butterflies that come from signing up for that first race are indescribable.

Your first race can be any distance that seems appropriate for you. Many runners shoot for a 5k for their first real race, but you can also consider 1-mile races or even a 10k.

4. Cross your first start line.

You did the training. You woke up race morning. Now you’re at the race start line, just about to cross over and begin your first race.

Capture those first-time feelings as you complete this massive running milestone.

5. Cross your first finish line.

The start line is important, but I’m sure you know the finish line is even better!

Getting to your first finish line might bring up a lot of emotions. After all, you put in the work, and crossing that line validates your efforts.

Whatever emotions come up, experience them boldly!

6. Run your first race.

You made it to the start and finish lines.

Well, congratulations! You officially ran your first race and marked off this running milestone. What’s next for you?

7. Confidently call yourself a runner.

Many people struggle with this one.

Here’s the fact: if you run, you are a runner. All it takes to be a runner is someone who rapidly sets one foot in front of the other for a distance.

You don’t have to be fast. You don’t have to be first. Calling yourself a runner is an important milestone in advancing your journey in this sport.

8. Earn your first medal.

Not all races have medals. This is especially true for smaller races and generally the 5k races.

Find a race to earn a medal to have some bling to show off for your hard work. Then check this running milestone off.

9. Earn your first PR (personal record)

Did you finish a race? Was it your first race? Congrats!

The time it took for you to run the race is now your first PR, otherwise known as your personal record.

10. Earn your second PR.

Earning your second PR means that you have succeeded in running a faster time than your first race.

This PR is more exciting than the first because you have to beat your previous time. This means you have to work a little harder.

11. Survive your first long-distance treadmill run.

The treadmill, often referred to by runners as the “dreadmill,” can be a less than exciting experience. The treadmill can make the fun of running completely disappear.

Once you’ve completed that first run on the treadmill considered long-distance, you are now a force to be reckoned with.

12. Run a longer distance race.

You ran the 5k, maybe even the 10k. Now what?

Sign up for and run your first half marathon. Then sign up and run your first marathon. Whatever you hope to get out of your running journey, you should know it’s possible.

13. Find a favorite race fuel.

Once you find your favorite fuel, you’ll know you’ve made it as a runner.

Finding the perfect fuel source that makes your stomach and muscles happy for a run is a huge milestone as a runner. You’ll never worry about stomach problems again after you’ve locked in suitable fuel.

My favorite fuel is anything, Honey Stinger. I used to use the Honey Stinger gels, then found the chews to meet my needs better. I also love the waffles and the Nut + Seed bars for snacks.

And you really can’t go wrong with the Honey Stinger waffles.

14. Find a favorite hydration source.

Fuel is important. Hydration is essential.

You can’t function as a runner without a good hydration source. And it’s important to be well-hydrated before, during, and after running.

My go-to hydration is Nuun. With many different flavors and electrolytes levels, Nuun has something that suits my hydration needs whether I’m running or lounging at home.

Nuun even has a great option for an energy drink that’s healthy.

15. Travel for a race.

Perhaps there’s no better excuse to become a distance runner than signing up for races you must travel to.

This is what runners like to call “runcations” making the sport even more enjoyable. Think about it: you can train for months for a race that you can then run in a tropical place that you then stay at for a week. Sounds pretty ideal, right?

Just remember that you’ll need to pack everything you need for a successful race day!

General Running Milestones for New Runners

The following are general running milestones with some details regarding how to achieve them.

Although we’re all in the running community, our experiences are different. Find the best milestones to keep you motivated and growing as a runner.

Running Training Milestones

Finding a proper training plan is another important milestone for any runner looking to make running a long-term hobby.

Investing in yourself is one of the best things you can do as a new runner. You might not be able to learn everything about running immediately, but a running coach can help you focus on the important things first.

Having a dependable training schedule is one running milestone that all new runners should lock down quickly.

Your First Run Milestone

Strapping on your running shoes and heading out the door for that first run is the most important milestone for a new runner.

You’ll remember this run 6 months or a year from now when you confidently call yourself a runner. Think about it; you can achieve this milestone today.

Remember that it’s not about how far or long you run on that first run. Use the run/walk method to get you through, and soon you can check off milestone #1.

Congrats!

Running Distance Milestones

You may feel overwhelmed when you think of running a long distance as a beginner runner.

When I first agreed to run a half marathon, I was entirely dazed by the concept of one day running 13.1 miles. However, the smaller distance milestones between the first run and race day make the journey exciting.

Long Run Mileage

If you’ve committed to running a long-distance race, you should have a proper training program to know the long-run mileage you’ll need to cover each week.

This means you will achieve some major long-run mileage milestones through your training.

Each week of training, you should have one day of a long run. This mileage is higher than your shorter weekday runs but should gradually increase each week rather than making massive jumps.

Most runners run their long runs on the weekends. If this is the case for you, you’ll reach milestones nearly every week as you increase your mileage.

How to Run a Long Run

Not sure how to even begin running long runs?

First, make sure you have a solid training plan. If you hire a running coach, you’ll have a good shot of doing things properly right out of the gate.

When you set out for your first long run, don’t overwhelm yourself with the distance. Instead, think about working on the mile you’re in. By reaching your first long run, you’ll have run several training runs of a few miles.

You can run one mile. No problem!

Get through the mile you’re on and only worry about the next mile once it arrives. Soon you’ll be wrapping up your first long run and checking off another beginner running milestone.

Yearly Running Mileage Milestone

Some runners like to set a yearly running mileage goal. This is a great option for a new runner, but remember to set a realistic goal.

Think about how many miles each week seems reasonable to you. This can be any number.

You might feel that 10 miles a week are completely achievable. You might want to set your yearly running mileage goal around 500 miles. This gives you a little wiggle room if you travel or get sick throughout the year.

Once the year ends, you can celebrate reaching your yearly running mileage milestone.

Running Mileage Progression

Your running mileage should progress gradually and strategically. This is why a running coach can be incredibly helpful.

You don’t want to set out to run too many miles before your body is ready, but you also don’t want to get stuck running the same distance several weeks in a row.

A very general rule some runners use is the 10% rule. This means that you’ll run 10% further next week than you did this week.

While this is a nice and simple formula, it doesn’t always check out to be a useful tool. For example, if your long run was 3 miles this week, that means next week you’ll run .3 miles further.

This isn’t much of a difference and likely won’t help your body to be prepared for your distance race. Do your research thoroughly, or invest in a running coach to succeed on your new running journey.

Running Time Milestones

As a new runner, focusing too much on time goals is not advised.

However, once you’ve completed one race, you’ll know what you’re capable of. Now it’s time to earn a new PR (personal record) and celebrate achieving the next running milestone.

5k Milestones

Have you set out to run a 5k? 3.1 miles of quick running fun.

Running a 5k can be very exciting. It’s also a perfect milestone to reach as a new runner. Once you’ve crossed the finish line of your first 5k race, you’ve completed your first long-distance race.

This is a massive milestone and hopefully excites you about any races you want to run down the road.

Running Pace Milestones

Understanding and finding your best pace is an important but tricky milestone in running.

You’ll want to find a pace that you can hold consistently for your distance races but that helps you achieve other goals. Learning to change your pace might take some time, but when you achieve that milestone, you’ll find new excitement in the running.

How to Understand Running Pace

To understand the pace, you need to consider how quickly you can run a mile or a kilometer, depending on what you use.

If you run a mile in 10 minutes, you’ll want to test if you can run multiple miles holding that pace. This might come naturally to you, or it might be something you need to work on.

But how do you learn to run at a consistent running pace?

How to Keep a Consistent Running Pace

When setting your sights on a consistent running pace, you should aim to run a bit slower than is comfortable initially. Slowing down can help you stay steady at your pace for longer.

Having a watch that can help you track your pace will be important. If 10 minutes is easy for you to run a mile, consider running several miles at a 10:30 minutes per mile pace. This will help you have some wiggle room to be sure you can run consistently for more than a mile.

Once you find that this pace has become easy for you to keep, quicken the pace by 15 or 30 seconds. Soon you’ll be running at a more consistent, faster pace than you may believe is possible.

Final Thoughts: Running Milestones

All runners should set and achieve goals for themselves, whether new or seasoned. Each time you check off another running milestone, you’ll feel a sense of achievement and the desire to improve. What milestones have you achieved as a runner?