A few goals, perhaps
So I think it's about time I write down some goals, a la TriTeacher. I am sort of a person who feels a bit lost without goals. Now, a lot could change, but if all goes well next year, here are my goals:

1. PR in a 5K early in the season. This way, I can do some speed work and tempo stuff and not have to worry about screwing up marathon training by pushing too hard. So I might try to dust off the ol' 5K time (which was back in 2003! And not even very fast! Yikes!) and see what I can do.

2. Hit 1:24(or less!) in the 100 yards free. I'm close, but haven't really done it yet by my watch at least.

3. Pick a HIM in mid-late summer, and try to beat my current PR of 6:34. That 6:34 would have been a lot better if I hadn't of had to DEATH MARCH the half marathon. Stupid, stupid me who didn't know about that little thing called HYDRATION on the bike. Ha ha...now I know....I think I'm capable of closer to 6. Maybe say 6:10 to shoot for? I think that's reasonable.

4. Chicago Marathon next year, or another fall marathon. Break 4 hours. This could be tough. But, again, I think I could do it. Current PR is 4:18 in Cincy and I felt like I held back a little because of the hills--which, for the record, ARE NOT as bad as everyone makes them out to be!

Basically, this year was all about endurance. I think I'd like next season to be all about speed. I think if I space out these goals enough I can make them happen.

So what do I need to do to get there....hmmmm...

1. More speed focused sets in the pool. Still do the 500s and 1000s from time to time, but I would like to start doing some hard 50s and bring back the hard 100s that I phased out on the last month or so of training.

2. Lift and strengthen. Work on my power for the bike. Hit the hills next summer lots. Do some sprints and stuff--try to head to New Vision Cycling Wednesday nights to work on this, now that I won't have the 6-7 hour rides to worry about!

3. Consistent mileage for my weekly runs. Lots of tempo runs, since I tend to FIZZLE my SHIZZLE out fast on the short races. ie. My favorite thing to do seems to be to run the first mile sub-7, no matter how much I THINK I'm holding back, and then DIE on the last mile-mile and a half. I seriously think it's harder to run a smart 5K than a marathon. My 5K mile splits are hilarious.

SO--at the MOMENT, these are my goals. Funny, because an 8:30 mile right now feels like death. I guess that's because I did an Ironman 3 weeks ago or something. But I will slowly build up the base here over the next month or two, and maybe start doing some intensity come late-November and early December. Coach Angela says not to lift until November. Bummer...I was kinda hoping to get started earlier than that. But, I will defer to her. 9 Ironmans means you kinda know your stuff.

Whew. OK. I feel better now that I wrote that down. Goals! I have goals! Yay!

But, um a LOT could change between now and next year at this time. So, all goals are subject to DRAMATICALLY change.

But hey, it's fun to think about the possibilities, you know?


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Posted: October 5, 2006