Not Looking Ahead...Yet

I started this blog in 2010 (well, technically I started it at the end of 2009, but it was about starting the blog in 2010 so that doesn't really count).

My first post in 2010 was about getting ready to get started on the path to becoming a runner (a marathoner to be exact).  I talked about how important it is to start slow and I expressed my desire to take a turtle's pace forward.  I knew then that I was in this new life for the long haul.

My first post in 2011 was about discipline.  This was when I first started thinking that training shouldn't dictate life, but that it should work the other way around.  I decided it wasn't good for me to follow a stock plan, but at the same time I needed structure and organization.  Very quickly I started talking triathlon and being welcomed by the swimming and biking communities.

My second post in 2012 was all about looking ahead for the year.  I wanted to add strength training into my plan and to be choosy about which goals to work on when.  I did have my race calendar filled in for the year, but I had only planned training through spring of that year (up to IM NOLA 70.3).  In that post I talked about how I felt like I had two big issues:

1. One of the problems I've had in the past is not making decisions about what I ultimately want causing me to change course mid stream because I hadn't clearly targeted where I was going.  
2. Another huge problem is giving up on what I want because getting there is too hard, or will take too long. 

I tried to fight those tendencies by setting some goals up for the year (race calendar) and by putting a plan in motion to accomplish those goals.  But I also made a conscious decision not look too far ahead, to stay focused on the task(s) at hand.

Last year my main focus for the new year was IMLT.

This is February 17th and I haven't taken my eyes off today long enough to even think about what might be in store for me as an athlete this year.  I know what's going on with me as a coach (more on that later), but me as an athlete?  That's a different story altogether.

I have 2 more weeks in the sling, then about 30 days until I can start training again (from what I understand right now)....44 days and counting.  While I don't think it's too early to be thinking what my goals might be for this year...I also know I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.  I am not that person who must have a race on the horizon to train for all the time anymore.  I don't think it would be a mistake to simply start working toward being stronger for right now (...that is in fact precisely what I am doing right now but I'm talking on day 45 and beyond).

With progress slowing down just a bit, it's becoming more challenging to stay focused.  However, I know that is what is required right now.  It's always darkest before the dawn.  I will get "there"...and "there" will be farther than I have ever gone before (and faster...).

Relentless forward motion doesn't always break speed records!

Until next time...
:D