The 2014 Resolution Thread
It's that time of year again...as in the end of the year...when people start to think big. Set goals, But you crazy people do Ironmans for breakfast, Ultras for Lunch and you are still home in time for dinner with the fam. So what's on YOUR list?
For me, 2013 was just half a year. I was able to do Boston and Quassy, both memorable for very different reasons. Since my accident & surgeries I have been much more focused on work and family...it has been really rewarding but I'd be lying if I didn't admit to wanting a better 2014.
So here's my short _athletic_ list, in no particular order...comments optional, but contributions mandatory!
* Go The Cycle - I'd like to do a sprint, olympic, half and full....haven't done a sprint in over a decade...time to have fun!
* Go Back to Boston - Really looking forward to the marathon this year.
* Learn to Swim - No, really. I need to rehab the shoulder anyway and it will help me overall.
* Volunteer at a Race - I usually race or coach...it will be nice to give back.
What about you??!?!?
Comments
2) Integrate yoga and core work on a more regular basis
3) Get 8 hrs of sleep!
4) Do at least 2 group workouts a month, even if it means altering a prescribed workout, I think it will keep me sane and motivated.
5) Make better food choices.
Happy New Years Everyone!
(Watts per kilo)
2 - Learn to master nutrition in the race
3 - Learn to block out all the "background noise" when racing so that I can stay in the box
4 - Become stronger on the bike (currently my weak point.....I'll save swimming for another year!)
5 - Complete my very first full Ironman (IMLP)
1) Get faster and more powerful on the bike. Last year about about going long, this year is about speed
2) Stop bitching on the run (after the bike)... just suck it up for 2 or 4 hours.
That is it this year.
2) Focus on nutrition
3) Get mentally tougher and push through my workouts to make breakthroughs.
2. Finish first Ironman smart, strong, and steady - IMTX 2014!
3. PR fall marathon - destination yet to be determined
4. Learn to swim efficiently and with less anxiety
• Now that I'm retired, no excuses to skip any OS workouts (except for ski weeks
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• Get back on my mountain bike (it's been over three years)
• Tandem with my wife again (Ditto)
• Run 1200 miles in 2014 (100 more than 2013)
I have race-specific goals; the curious may find them here:
http://bikrutz.org/triblog/?p=1322
My goals/resolutions for 2014 in my "tri-life" are:
1. Do something every day that brings me toward my goals... even on "rest days"... stretch... do a few bicep curls... get a sports massage... foam roller... something... every day... something meaningful... Only exceptions are if I'm REALLY SICK... otherwise, who couldn't do SOMETHING?
2. Work on my MENTAL TOUGHNESS... Find the strength within me to "HT-U"... harden the ~ up... Too easily, I make and accept excuses... It's too cold... It's too hot... I don't like the dread mill... It's too early... It's too late... I just ate... I didn't eat enough... Really? I mean some are valid some of the times, but let's get real...
3. TRACK... my food... my exercises... my weight... it's an old weight watchers trick... and it works... when you work it...
4. Get to know more of the EN group and the Ironheart Racing team group... If this is one of your goals too, please "friend me"... This sport is about individual performance, but without the teams of likeminded people, and without your friends/family being supportive, it wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable, at least that is the case for me.
5. Work on my running form... already started this in 2013, but in 2014 I'm going to DO THE DRILLS and practice my cadence of 180/min... I believe it will pay off in spades...
6. Work through the swimming issues I had last season (cold water reactions, possible swimming induced pulmonary edema)... practice cold water... do what I need to do to reduce risk of SIPE even if it's counter to what others are doing...
7. Train with power... really start to understand it... I got my power meter and a computrainer in 2013... so this year it's all about really understanding it in theory and practicality.
8. Related to #7 - LEARN TO BE COMFORTABLE on my TRI BIKE... I'm still deathly afraid of hills, either up or down... speed... and turns... Anyone local who likes to give tri bike lessons??? (serious)...
9. Do what I can to involve those around me who could care less about this stuff. More SAUs!
Happy New Year everyone!
1. Keep improving on the bike! Bike improved in 2013 thanks to bike focus, need to keep improving.
2. Maintain a consistent strength/core plan throughout the year.
3. Improve transitions. Improvised transitions made me lose precious minutes in 2013, no more.
4. Maintain weight (160 lbs) but become leaner.
Looking forward to a good year, looking for a PR in IM Brazil in May!
1. Get more rest between workouts.
2. Reduce race weight to 158 vs. 163 in 2013.
3. Run more frequently - 4 or 5 times per week.
2. Get under 150 lbs.
3. Reduce the number of Diet Cokes I drink.
1) Do pushups daily (20 + Day of Month) ---> today was 21 pushups
2) Do "Air Force Fitness Test" crunches daily (same formula)
3) lmore to follow as I figure them out.......
1. Finish my first IM in <13hrs. IMTX.</p>
2. Weight of 155 for IMTX. Stay in the mid-upper 150's consistently (currently at 162-164).
3. Crunches/planks 3x/week.
4. Get to 3w/kg. (will happen when I get #2 done!).
5. Do ALL red workouts. No excuses (except truly sick). Do most yellow workouts (only legit excuses allowed....family, sleep deprived, etc.).
2 - Give my training the expect both it and I deserve.
3 - To race and not just exist in the race.
4 - Become stronger on the run and stop giving up on myself.
5 - Crush this season with PRs in the Half and Full iron by accomplishing items 1-4
Main goal in 2014 is to simply race to my potential. To accomplish this i have the following sub goals.
1> Focus on body comp - sub 145lbs by IM Boulder
2> Consistent focus on swimming - 2 x per week minimum (majority of time spent on drill and speed work vs. just swimming)
3> Remain injury free - consistent muscle activation exercises before runs and stretching after.
4> Consistent execution against EN training plans as prescribed - limit overachieving and keep big picture focus always top of mind
1 - Don’t Crash. Thanks for this one Tim!
2 - Implement Core Diet Principles. I get that it’s hard to be specific on this one so I made up my own “Ten Star” system to plan and analyze my nutrition daily for 100 days. I’m on day 7 and it’s clear my challenges are getting those calories down in the “core” periods. I have no trouble consuming the correct number and type of calories during workouts and in the post workout window (shocker)! I’m also doing well on the fruits and veggies front (yay me)! Anyway, I’m currently averaging 6-8 stars a day and my goal is to be at 10 stars 6-7 days a week after 100 days. This is a “process goal” that is aimed to result in a my specific goal of weight loss of about 15# in the next 25 weeks leading up to IMCDA and hopefully 4 w/kg!
3 - DO my Strength Routines. I pay for periodized routines from a professional trainer that is also a triathlete. I have no trouble getting my tri workouts done – haven’t missed a planned one in years – literally. Why in the world would I invest in this every 6 weeks or so if I don’t do them consistently? *** Bang Head Here ***
Thanks for this string – love seeing the other resolutions and hopefully the MOJO will help us all!
2. Learn how to use my Garmin HR monitor.
3. Have a strong finish at my 3rd attempt at the HIM distance.
4. Have fun and embrace and let go of the days that life happens and a workout doesn't get done. It's not the end of the world.
5. Embrace the magnificence of what we do and how we support each other.