How to Make a RUNNING VISION BOARD

Do you have a running goal in mind? Maybe you’re running to stay fit, reach a new milestone, or feel more connected to your health and well-being.

Whatever your goal, visualisation is a powerful tool to help make it a reality. Top athletes have used visualisation techniques for years to sharpen focus, boost motivation, and impress compelling images of success on their minds.

Creating a running vision board is a great way to help you stay inspired, focused, and on track with your running goals.

Let’s dive into the art of building your very own running vision board.

Quick Look.

Ready to discover a creative boost to your running game? In this blog post, I take you with me as we dive into how a Running Vision Board can help you stay motivated, focused, and inspired to reach your goals—whether it’s running your first 5K, smashing a personal best, or completing a marathon.

Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:

• What is a Running Vision Board? Learn how this powerful visualisation tool can keep your goals front and centre.
• Why Make a Running Vision Board? Discover the motivational benefits and how it helps turn dreams into actionable steps you’ll be excited to pursue.
• What Should You Put on Your Board? Explore creative and unique ideas for designing a vision board that resonates with your goals and personality.
• How to Make Your Own Running Vision Board: Here’s the fun bit! Step-by-step instructions for crafting a board, whether physical or digital, that inspires you every day.
• Where Should You Put Your Vision Board? Tips on placement and ways to keep it fresh, engaging and motivating.
• How to Make the Best Use of Your Vision Board: Practical strategies for interacting with your board to maximise its impact.

This post is packed with actionable advice, creative tips, and practical real-world tips to help you create a vision board that keeps your running goals on track and your motivation high. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner, this guide will show you how to use visualisation to reach new milestones.

Dive in for the full guide, fun ideas, tips, and insights to start creating your own running vision board today!

What is a Running Vision Board?

A running vision board is a personalised collage of images, words, affirmations, and other inspirational items, arranged on a board or poster that you can keep in a visible spot, like your home or office. It’s a way to surround yourself with visual reminders of what you’re working toward.

Every item on your board should resonate with you personally, symbolising your goals, dreams, the feelings you want to cultivate, or the personal look you would like to create from your running exercise. For example, if you’re aiming to run a marathon, you might include images of past marathon events, a flyer from the race you’re eyeing, or a photo of the finish line to remind you of your ultimate goal.

There are no set rules for creating your vision board. This is your chance to express yourself freely, using your creativity and personal style to design something truly motivating and meaningful.

It’s a fun, hands-on project that turns your aspirations into a daily source of inspiration.

Why Make a Running Vision Board?

Running brings so much to our lives: fitness, fun, fresh air, new experiences, and a chance to boost our health and happiness. The friendships, the energy, the self-confidence, and, of course, the thrill of achieving a personal goal—all of these are reasons why we lace up and hit the road.

But let’s be real: life gets busy, and motivation can sometimes waver. That’s where a running vision board becomes a powerful tool.

It’s a space to bring together your goals, dreams, and motivations, putting them right in front of you to remind you daily of your running purpose, and your ‘why’. By seeing your goals visualised in this way is quite inspirational, and it helps you tap into the benefits of focus, motivation, and goal-setting, helping you to stay on course—even on those tough days.

Let’s Talk about Setting Your Running Goals.

A running vision board works best when it’s built around clear, personally meaningful goals. Start by thinking about what matters most to you: what are you aiming for, and what achievement would make the biggest impact in your life? Do you want to hit a new distance, experience a specific race, or simply improve your health and fitness?

To help you get started, I’ve made a list of some running goal ideas to spark your imagination:

And these are just a few! A running vision board is a creative project, so feel free to add any goal that lights you up or inspires you to keep going.

By putting these goals and your achievements on a vision board, you create a powerful reminder of what you’re working toward and what you’ve already achieved. Think of it as your personal road map, helping you stay motivated, focused, and energised as you make each dream a reality.

Want some more motivational ideas, I wrote a blog post called 7 Ways to Stay Motivated to Run, take a look here.

What Should You Put On Your Running Vision Board?

Your vision board is more than just a collage—it’s a visual reminder of your goals, inspirations, and the reasons you run. Placed somewhere you’ll see daily, it keeps you focused and motivated, even on those challenging days.

Let your creativity lead as you choose items to add to your board, that hold meaning and inspire you to keep moving forward.

Ideas for Items to Put on Your Board.

Here’s a list of ideas I’ve put together to help you start building a vision board that truly reflects your running aspirations:

• Photos: Use pictures of places you’d love to run, races you dream of competing in, or even snapshots of yourself on past runs.
• Newspaper and Magazine Clippings: Highlight articles about running events, or inspiring athletes, for example.
• Race Bibs and Medals: Include race bibs or photos of medals from events you’ve completed or hope to enter. These mementos bring past accomplishments and future aspirations together in one place.
• Affirmation Words, Mantras, and Power Phrases: Add motivational words or phrases like “Strong,” “Persistent,” or “One Step at a Time” to inspire you. I wrote an article about Running Mantras to help you here.
• Postcards and Travel Brochures: For those destination runs or races, postcards or brochures can keep you excited about future travels. Plan your dream ‘runcation’ around these.
• Quotes: Find or create quotes that resonate with your running journey. Whether it’s about resilience, focus, or the love of running, choose words that lift you up.
• Race Flyers and Event Information: Got your eye on a specific race? Include the event flyer, route map, or anything else that makes it feel real and within reach.
• Images from Social Media: Print photos from Instagram, Pinterest, or X that capture the energy of your goals or showcase your favourite runners, locations, or events.
• Artwork or Drawings: Add a personal touch by drawing something meaningful, like a trail or path symbolising your running aspirations, or doodling some inspirational imagery.
• Small Tokens or Knickknacks: Attach lightweight items like a small charm, item from a special place you love to run, or ribbon that holds special meaning or represents a goal. Select items that hold special meaning for you.
• Vision Board Reminders: Include items that represent what you’re working toward. Things like your training plan, an image of the special running shoes you want to buy and when, or a copy of your plane ticket if your goal is an event in another city.

The most impactful vision boards are the ones that feel unique and connected to your personal ambitions. Think about what would make you feel inspired when you look at your board. Do you want it to remind you of a sense of adventure, or maybe your commitment to fitness? Add items that capture those emotions so that your board feels both motivating and meaningful every time you see it. Make your board exciting and include items that make it fun to look at.

TIP: Goal Reward Envelope. Treat yourself to extra motivation by adding a reward envelope to your vision board! Write a specific running goal on the outside of the envelope, like “Complete My First 10K” or “Run Three Times a Week for a Month.” Inside, place a special reward—a gift card to a favourite restaurant, a voucher for a spa day, or a fun treat you’ll enjoy. Seal the envelope and pin it to your board as a reminder that achieving your goal will lead to a well-deserved celebration. When you reach that milestone, open the envelope and enjoy your reward—it’s the perfect way to keep your focus and look forward to your progress!

How to Make Your Own Running Vision Board.

This is where the fun truly begins! Get ready to unleash your creativity and design something that’s uniquely yours and filled with motivation.

What You’ll Need.

Here’s a list of materials to get started, but feel free to add anything that speaks to you and reflects your style.

• Backing Board: Choose a base that fits your vision—poster board, corkboard, cardboard, magnetic board, or even a piece of timber. Think about where you want to mount your finished board, choose something sturdy if you intend to attach picture hanging mounts.
• Colourful Markers, Crayons, or Paint: Add splashes of colour or decorate with hand-drawn accents.
• Ribbons and Borders: Use ribbon or washi tape (example here) to add borders, create sections, or add pops of colour.
• Pins: If you’re using a corkboard, pins make it easy to rearrange items as you go. Use coloured pins to match your theme.
• Stickers and Decorative Accents: Find stickers, decals, or small embellishments that add personality to your board.
• Adhesives: Have double-sided tape, staples, glue, or a glue stick ready.
• Scissors: Essential for cutting photos, clippings, and other items to size.
• Coloured Paper or Sticky Notes: Write out quotes, affirmations, or goals on paper in colours that catch your eye or match your theme.
• Your Collection of Photos, Images, and Items: Gather all the visuals, mementos, and motivating words you plan to add.
• Wrapping Paper or Fabric for a Background: If you want a unique backdrop, use wrapping paper, fabric, or tissue paper to cover the board.

Putting It All Together.

1. Set Up Your Workspace.
   Find a spacious surface to work on such as a desk or your kitchen table, grab yourself a coffee (or maybe a glass of wine), and carve out some uninterrupted time to dive into this creative project. This is your chance to relax, reflect, and get inspired!
2. Arrange Your Items Before Gluing.
   Start by setting your board background, and then laying out all of your images, quotes, and mementos. Arrange and rearrange until you find a look that feels right. Remember, you don’t have to use a large board—a smaller selection can be just as impactful if you prefer a more compact design, or want to create a series of boards.
3. Play with Layers and Overlapping.
   Once you’re happy with the layout, start attaching items without gluing down the edges right away. This way, you can overlap or tuck other pieces under the edges if needed. Experiment with layering to create depth and visual impact.
4. Add Personal Touches and Decorations.
   Use your pens, paints, and other tools to add hand-drawn accents, quotes, or doodles. Frame favourite images with ribbons or washi tape, add stickers for extra flair. Include small decorative items with personal significance. For instance, include pressed leaves if you’re aiming for a natural look, especially if your goal is an ultra-marathon or a scenic trail race.
5. Secure the Final Details.
   Once everything is in place, glue down any remaining edges. To keep the board flat while the glue dries, place a few heavy books on top for an hour or so. Then, add a final touch by writing your name and the date in a corner or on the back, so you can look back in the future and see how far you’ve come.
6. Admire Your Creation.
   Step back and admire the board you’ve created! It’s more than just a project—it’s a visual representation of your running journey, filled with your dreams and motivations.
7. Hang Up Your Board. Attach a frame, or a hanger, and locate your board where you will see it multiple times a day.

Going Digital.

If you prefer a digital option, try creating your vision board on your computer, tablet, or phone. 

Canva is a great tool for this, offering easy-to-use design features, images, and templates to help you make a vibrant digital vision board. There is enough functionality in the free version of Canva to create your vision board.

Start with a blank canvas, or search for a vision board template that represents your vibe, there are many great designs to choose from. You can keep it as your screensaver, print it out, or add it to a digital photo album for easy daily access to your goals.

Whether you go hands-on or digital, remember that this board is all about you and your aspirations. So take your time, enjoy the process, and create a vision that will motivate you each day!

TIP: Add a Digital QR Code. Include a printed QR code that links to a YouTube video, an inspirational podcast, or a playlist you find motivating, such as a race recap, a running documentary, or your favourite pump-up songs. It’s a great way to add an extra dimension to your running vision board.

Where Should I Put My Running Vision Board?

A vision board works best when it’s a consistent visual reminder of your goals and aspirations, inspiring you every time you see it. That’s why it’s important to place it somewhere prominent, where it naturally becomes part of your daily routine.

If you are trying to decide whether to put your running vision board at work or in your home, why not make two of the same board or copy it, that way you can take advantage of both locations.

Places to Display Your Vision Board.

• Choose High-Traffic Areas.
  Place your running vision board in a spot you pass by often—your bedroom, home office, work, or kitchen. Seeing it multiple times a day reinforces your goals and keeps them top of mind.
• Position It Where You Prepare to Run.
  Consider mounting it near the place you keep your running gear, like by your shoe rack or closet. Seeing it as you lace up for your next run is a perfect motivational nudge.
• Keep It by the Door.
  Display your board near your front door, so it’s the last thing you see before heading out. It’s a great way to start every run with a reminder of why you’re doing this. It also encourages family members or workmates to recognise and support your commitment to running. Seeing your running vision board can remind them of your goals, making them more likely to respect your routine and offer encouragement if your motivation dips.

Practical Tips for Mounting Your Vision Board.

• Frame or Laminate It.
  Protect your hard work by framing it or getting it laminated. This not only keeps it pristine but also gives it a polished, long-lasting look. Plus, lamination makes it easier to clean if needed. Most large office supplies stores off a laminating service for large projects such as this.
• Use a Poster Hanger or Corkboard.
  A poster hanger or corkboard makes your vision board easy to adjust, especially if you plan to add or update items over time.
• Portable Options.
  If wall space is limited, consider creating a smaller, travel-friendly version of your vision board. A photo album or scrapbook format lets you move it around or take it with you for inspiration on the go. Another option is to use a painting A-frame easel. This allows you to display your board without mounting it on a wall and offers the flexibility to easily move it to different locations as needed.

Taking Your Vision Board Digital.

• Turn It into Your Wallpaper.
  Snap a photo of your vision board and make it the wallpaper or lock screen on your phone, tablet, or computer. This way, it’s always with you, even when you’re away from home.
• Save It as a Screensaver
  If you’ve created a digital vision board, set it as a screensaver or slide show on your computer. It’s a simple way to keep your goals in front of you while working.

Wherever you decide to place your board, make it a habit to stop and look at it regularly. Spend a minute each morning and night visualising your goals and imagining the joy of achieving them. The more you engage with your vision board, the more impactful it becomes.

By thoughtfully placing your vision board in a location where it’s both visible and meaningful, you create a daily reminder that fuels your motivation and keeps your running goals aspirations clear in your mind.

TIP: Be mindful of when your running vision board starts to blend into the background. If you find yourself no longer noticing it or feeling inspired by it, that’s a sign it’s time to shake things up. Try moving it to a new location where it catches your eye again or refresh its content by adding new goals, photos, or decorations. Keeping your board dynamic, and in a prominent position, ensures it stays a powerful source of motivation and doesn’t become just part of the furniture.

How do I Make the Best Use of My Running Vision Board?

Creating your running vision board is just the first step—how you interact with it will determine how effective it is in helping you achieve your self-improvement and running goals.

Here are some tips to ensure you make the most of your vision board and keep your running goals alive and thriving.

• Engage with It Daily.
  Make it a habit to look at your vision board at least once a day. Add to your reminders list on your phone until it becomes an established part of your daily routine. Whether it’s in the morning to set the tone for your day or in the evening as a reflection exercise, let it serve as a consistent reminder of your goals. If your board features affirmations, power words, or quotes, take a moment to read them out loud to reinforce their message.
  
• Visualise Your Success.
  Spend a few moments truly imagining yourself achieving your core goals. Picture crossing the finish line of your first marathon, feeling the elation of smashing a personal best, or reaching your target weight. Focus on the emotions, pride, and satisfaction you’ll feel in that moment. Visualisation helps turn dreams into actionable belief.
  
• Celebrate Small Wins.
  Recognise every milestone you achieve, no matter how small. If your board includes smaller goals, mark them with a celebratory sticker, such as a smiley face or a green tick, as you achieve them. This visual acknowledgement of progress keeps you motivated and reinforces your belief in your ability to achieve larger goals.
  
• Track Your Progress.
  Incorporate a space on your vision board to note your ongoing progress. For example, if you’re gradually increasing your running distance, record your new personal bests or training stats directly on the board. This not only keeps your achievements front and centre, but also adds to the board’s dynamic nature.
  
• Reward Yourself Along the Way.
  Tie rewards to specific goals to keep yourself motivated. Add small images or notes representing these rewards on your board, such as a relaxing spa day for completing your first 5K, or a new pair of running shoes for reaching a major milestone. Having these incentives on your board can make your goals even more enticing.
  
• Keep It Dynamic and Reflective of Your Journey.
  Don’t be afraid to adapt your vision board as your goals evolve. Use a corkboard or other removable format to easily rearrange or replace elements. Alternatively, create separate boards for different stages of your journey, such as a 5K board, a half-marathon board, and eventually a marathon board. If you have space, arrange these boards sequentially with arrows in between, place a big colourful tick with the date achieved on each board as you fulfill its objectives. Each board becomes a snapshot of your progress and a keepsake of your growth.
  
• Leave Room For New Goals.
  Make sure to leave some blank space on your vision board for new inspirations or goals that arise. As you achieve milestones, you’ll naturally set new challenges, and your board should evolve to reflect this growth. Alternatively, you can create new boards as you achieve the goals of your current board.
  
• Use It as a Morning and Evening Ritual.
  Place your vision board somewhere you’ll naturally see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night. In the morning, let it set a positive, goal-focused mindset for the day ahead. At night, use it as a moment to reflect on what you’ve accomplished and reconnect with your motivation.
  
• Reflect and Remember.
  When you achieve your goals, take time to reflect on how far you’ve come. Your vision board isn’t just a tool—it’s a record of your progress. Consider keeping old boards as mementos, showcasing the dedication and growth you’ve experienced along the way.

TIP: Add an Accountability Element. Include a photo of someone who inspires you, or a friend or coach who supports your running aspirations. Seeing them on your running vision board can remind you of the encouragement you’ve received, and will inspire you to stay accountable—not just to yourself, but also to those cheering you on.

Final Thoughts on How to Make a Running Vision Board.

People take up running for a variety of reasons. For some, it’s a way to get moving and stay active, but for many, running holds a deeper purpose. It’s a pathway to transformation—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Running truly has the power to change lives. Whether you’re looking to manage your weight, improve your health and fitness, or boost your mental well-being, these are meaningful and profound reasons to lace up and hit the pavement.

Setting clear goals, creating actionable plans, and staying committed are the keys to achieving what you set out to do. And using tools like visualisation to reinforce your motivation and focus is a smart way to supercharge your aspirations. That’s where a running vision board comes in—a creative and powerful method to help you stay inspired and on track, not just in running, but in life.

Visualisation and Action:

While visualisation is a powerful tool, it must go hand in hand with action. Seeing your goals and progress every day will inspire you, but it’s the steps you take toward them that bring your dreams to life. Your running vision board is the spark, but your effort is the engine that drives you forward.

So, why not give it a try? Creating a running vision board is not only a fun and creative exercise, but also a meaningful way to bring clarity and focus to your running goals. Who knew running, art, and personal growth could come together in such an exciting way?

I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever used a vision board to inspire your running goals—or for another aspect of life? Do you have tips or ideas for making or using a running vision board? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the inspiration flowing.

Happy running.

Steve.

FAQ’s On How to Make a Running Vision Board.

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This article is for information purposes only and is not a recommendation to act on any of its content. It is always recommended you consult your healthcare practitioner before engaging in any activity that may affect your health.

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