Be SMART: How to Set Realistic Hiking Goals
When you’re first starting, it’s important to set small, attainable hiking goals based on whatever your starting point is. You might be someone who has never hiked but is always active, or, if you’re like me, you might be starting out with incorporating more walks in your neighborhood. There’s a few things to keep in mind when you’re setting hiking goals and planning to overcome the obstacles ahead.
When it comes to hiking, everyone has to start somewhere (yes, that means you, too!). Don’t let your fears or fitness level get in the way of trying one of the best activities on earth. I may be biased, but if you give hiking a chance, I’ll pretty much bet my life savings (which, okay, isn’t a TON) that you’ll love it too.
Setting SMART Hiking Goals
One of the things that helped me to fall in love with hiking was exploring it gradually. I can guarantee that if I tried to hike a 10-mile mountain trail for my first hike, I never would have done it again. Instead, I worked my way up in small increments, starting with simple walks around town. Once I was able to feel comfortable walking on flat ground for a longer period of time, I challenged myself with a short, 1-mile hike uphill. I kept slowly challenging myself, and as I mastered each new challenge I was filled with joy, pride, and burning glutes. Using the SMART goal framework can help immensely:
Specific
Specific! If your goal is vague like “hike more,” it’ll be hard to figure out if you’re actually achieving your goal. Try something like “work my way up to a 3-mile walk over the next two months.” Or “Hike to the top of Peak XYZ at the end of 6 months of training.” By being very specific with what you’re trying to do, you’ll know when you reached your goal and you’re less likely to give up on it. Pro tip: write your goal down and share it with someone! This can help keep you accountable and someone in your life can encourage you every step of the way.
Measurable
Measurable: You should be able to measure whether you completed your goal. This goes hand-in-hand with being specific. If you say, “save money,” will you say your goal is reached after you set aside your first $10? A simple way to do this is by ensuring your goal has a number in it somewhere. Both, “I want to hike 20 miles total next hiking season,” or “I want to spend three hours outside walking or hiking every weekend for the next six months,” are very measurable goals.
Attainable
Attainable: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. When I first started, I’m sure I would have quit had I tried to hike some of my favorite hikes today. I just wasn’t ready! You wouldn’t put a 6th grader in high school because, quite frankly, they’d be miserable. Be okay with your incremental goals and the level you’re at – you’ll enjoy the process more if it doesn’t make you feel like you’re dying!
Relevant
Relevant: We don’t have time for goals that aren’t getting us where we want to go. If you want to fall in love with hiking, setting a goal to try skiing probably won’t get you there. Don’t get me wrong, skiing is great, just make sure your goal is propelling you in the right direction.
Time-Specific
Time-Specific: Put a time period on your goal to stay committed! “Hike more” is so vague…hike more over the span of your life? Hike more in 20 years? Don’t let yourself off the hook too easy by not being time-specific…and I don’t want to hear any sass about it!
The Challenges Ahead
Everyone is going to be challenged by different aspects of hiking. There are two broad categories you’ll have to face when you first start out, and that you’ll keep facing as you continue creating new hiking goals: mental and physical hiking challenges.
Physical hiking challenges will likely be related to your fitness level or hiking stamina. Many of these challenges can be overcome with practice and time. By gradually working your way up to more strenuous hikes, you might be surprised at how prepared your body is to conquer the challenge. Our bodies can do amazing things! Too often, it’s the mental hiking challenges that really get in our way.
That little voice in your head telling you that you can’t finish the hike? Don’t listen to her. The self-doubt that creeps in during a tough uphill slog? Block out the internal haters. You can do this. Keep in mind, there’s a huge difference between facing your hiking challenges and not listening to your body if it’s trying to tell you that you’re in danger. As you continue challenging yourself, you’ll get in touch with your body, with what it can and can’t do, and with the signals it sends if you need to turn back.
Safety is the Top Priority
Hiking is a fantastic sport, but it can be dangerous if you’re not careful. I don’t say this to discourage you, I want to make sure you proceed with the proper amount of caution. I mean, hey, driving is dangerous, but we learn how to be safe and spend time practicing and getting better. Do the same with hiking! Practice, go with experienced hikers who can show you the ropes, and listen to your body. If there’s one thing to avoid while hiking, it’s this: don’t ever let your ego or pride interfere with your safety. If your body says no, turn around and keep working your way up until you’re ready to conquer that damn mountain. You’ll get there, I promise!
