It is basic, but taking some time to review goals when getting started on training for a new event is very helpful. It can keep you from injuring yourself and it can help avoid frustration, both from overdoing it or feeling like progress is slow. I find listing things in 3 categories to be useful: basic goals, limitations, and advantages. Below I have outlined what I have come up with for me as I transition from completing my first half marathon to training for my third official sprint triathlon. Maybe the list will jog your thinking or encourage you.
Goals, both long and short term
- stay healthy
- maintain overall strength, flexibility, and balance
- look as good as I can
- have fun
- be a good example for my (now mostly adult) children
- increase my barefooting capabilities
- enjoy my new pool
- be as fast as I can in the triathlon
- try to beat last year’s time
- avoid injury in the whole process
Limitations/Disadvantages
- my husband will not be participating in the race with me this year
- my husband won’t be with me on my road bike training
- I am still afraid of the road bike
- I haven’t been swimming as much lately
- my husband may need follow-up surgery again soon
- I still haven’t had practice changing a bike tire on the road
- I haven’t been doing as much specific core or strength exercises
Advantages
- I can now do all of my training either at home or with home as base, which is time effective
- With my new pool at home, I can get better transition training
- This year I know more people who bike regularly
- I am more experienced on my road bike
- I am better at pumping up my tires
- I have spent more time on and gotten better power workouts on the spinning bikes this winter
- I have better running stamina from the half marathon training
- I am more settled in knowing how to run bare footed
- My feet are tougher
- I won’t be scheduling my training around a summer vacation this year
- I’m going to get a short haircut!
Having taken time to think this out clearly, I will be better prepared to write up a triathlon training schedule, which is my next step. It will help me be a good combination of realistic and knowing what I need to concentrate on. I do want to do my best, and but not at all cost.
Whoa, whoa, follow-up surgery? Short haircut? Things, they are a-changing. I’m sure any of your daughters would be willing to take you out and strand you somewhere so you can change your bike tire all alone in the wilderness. 😉 If you ask nicely.
Maybe next week…