Day 1 - New Year New Challenge

So today starts a new year and with it brings a series of resolutions, goals and determination. For many the day marks a new beginning--a change in lifestyle, diet or behavior. For others, the day marks the beginning of triathlon season. The brash winter serves as a constant reminder that the time is not quite ripe for hardcore training. Instead, the turning of the clock reminds us that races are only X days away.

In the world of a triathlete there really is no off-season. There are periods of recovery, light training and striking a balance in other parts of one's life. However, the sport never really fades. You trip over your running shoes in the bed room. Your bike, with its shine from the post season tune up, glares at you. If you are like me, you hide the goggles and swim cap because technically you can swim indoors year round.

So what does a triathlete do in his down time between seasons? Well, you plan your next season. You spend hours scouring websites, blogs and race reports to gather information on potential races for the next season. You generate a list of 20 or so that seem intriguing. You pare it down by putting them all on a calendar and analyzing your ability to train, recover, train and race again. If you haven't already, you identify your top "A" races. For those new or unaccustomed to the sport, much of this happens 6-12 months out as races sell out that far in advance. You build your season around these top races.

You then develop training goals, training plans and budgets. You scour over your previous season and determine what went well and what did not go well. What were your limiting factors? Do I need more long runs? More intervals? More time in the pool? Should I start my program earlier? Did I do too many races? Not enough? Do I need to hire a coach? How much will that cost? If I am doing X races at $X a pop, how much will this season cost me? How many boxes of power/clif bars do I need? And gu? And sports drinks? And? And? And? Ahhh....the life.

This promises to be an exciting season for me. I narrowly escaped injuries last season to produce a very productive and fulfilling season. This season has the potential to take that to the next level. I think I am just starting to realize my potential. Unfortunately, the following season, I enter the next age group and will quickly be humbled. So there is nothing like the present. It is now or never. Time to HTFU and have a kick ass season.

2008 Training Goals:

Swim: 200,000 yards (114 miles)
Bike: 3,000miles
Run: 750 miles

I think these are realistic and attainable goals. I am probably setting the bar a bit low, especially given my race schedule. However, given my progression through my first two seasons it is a safe bet. My prediction is that I will likely end up closer to 250k, 3500 and 1200 on the year

2008 Race Schedule:
2/10 Mercedes Half Marathon (r) - B
3/30 ING 1/2 Marathon - A
4/13 Powerman Alabama (r) -B
5/23-25 American Triple (r) - A
6/14 Buster Britton Sprint - B
7/4 Peachtree 10k - C
7/13 Chattanooga Olympic - B
9/14 Duke Liver HIM - B
11/1 Ironman Florida (r) - A
11/2 Take a f*cking break

It is clear that my season will revolve around two races--Triple T and Ironman Florida. The part that really sucks about the longer distances is that you are unable to race as much. Your weekends are comprised on long runs and rides. So the shorter races get kicked to the curb. Last year, I missed racing. I love the adrenaline rush. So this year, I built in at least two fun races with the potential to do a few more if I feel good. It promises to be a long season but with a bit of hard work and determination, it should prove very rewarding in the end.