Life of an Age-Grouper

For the past week I have become very confident in my fitness while at the same time it has been hard to keep this new found confidence contained. While I am excited about the emergence of this confidence it is slightly premature and not yet warranted. However for the past couple of days I have started to think that I need my ass handed to me to put my confidence in check. I have even been debating about asking Matt or another training partner to annihilate me during a training session as a reality check. Fortunately, last night in the pool I was given that reality check and learned a few valuable lessons. Last night I had a pool session that contained a main set of 400 repeats below T- Pace. Leading into this session I knew I was in for a tough yet attainable workout. After a reassuring warm-up I went to work. I felt unbelievable on the first 400, actually the best I have ever felt in the water. My stroke was smooth yet not rushed, I was gliding through the water, breathing was very ...

"Holy Hell" Every triathlon that I race I have a game plan for.  Initially my plans were just to finish.  Then they began to evolve as my passion for this sport grew.  No longer would just finishing be my top priority, my goals became specific and were related to time/splits.  Meeting these benchmarks gave validity to my efforts and fitness levels. Leading into this season I have the loftiest goals to date.  I know that I can be a sub 5:30 athlete.  I fully expect to complete the swim in 35 minutes if not faster, complete the bike under 3 hours and complete the run under 1:50.  I'm not sure how many athletes would actually disclose their goals like I just did, and I can't believe I just did but, I feel that it will hold me more accountable for my actions.  Do I expect to achieve this time at every race, no, but I will when I reach peak condition. Leading into Harriman 70.3 I had written down specific times/splits for the race and had a game ...

In previous posts I have briefly mentioned that I have some fairly lofty goals for this season.  For the past couple of months I have thought about these goals in general terms but I had not actually thought about them in detail.  Yesterday as I sat at work my goals popped into my head again so I grabbed a pen and began writing. There is something about actually writing goals down that make them a reality and concrete. I didn't start writing down words like, "My goals for this season include . . .. " Instead what I began to write down were numbers.  I have discovered that my goals from my very first race to today have become very detailed. What was once a goal of just finishing the race has evolved into specific times for each leg of the race.  An important objective with establishing goals is that you should have to reach for them but also make them attainable.  With that being said I have established very specific time goals for the swim, bike and run that wil...