2009 Goals

Here we are, nearly two months into the year and I haven't set my goals for the year. Yeah, I am a big procrastinator. However, I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish, usually during long runs. The reason I returned to triathlon was mainly for health reasons. However, the sense of accomplishment after finishing a race, regardless of the time, is truly gratifying.

Because the health aspect is primary, the first goal is to get my weight below 200 lbs by the end of the year. Last year I lost about 25 pounds so losing another 18 or so shouldn't be difficult. (Yeah, right!) Eventually, I would like to get below 180 but that will take a lot of work and may take a few more years. Oh yeah, I'm getting older too so that will make it even more difficult.

Swimming has always been one of my stronger segment in the past and is fairly strong now. My stamina is coming back and my time relative to the field has been good. Still, I need some goals to push myself to become an even stronger swimmer. Therefore, my swim goals are to complete the swim leg in pool-swim triathlons faster than a 1:35/100m pace and complete the swim leg in open-water swim triathlons at 1:45/100m pace.

To help with the open-water swims, I finally purchased a wetsuit. I remember when wetsuits were the exception and the debate the sport had regarding wetsuits in the 1980's. I didn't think I needed a wetsuit since I was a relatively strong swimmer and I thought wetsuit were for wusses. However, during the Naylor's beach triathlon, a friend of mine who I usually swim faster than in the pool bested my swim time by nearly three minutes convinced me to get a wet suit.

My cycling is starting to come back although hills still crush me. That will come back as I continue to shed pounds. Also, I am competing on my nearly twenty year old antique bike. It was a great bike when I bought it; a nice Columbus SL/SP frame Italian style frame made in Canada with Mavic Groupo, and it had the latest development at the time, indexed shifting! Right now, the bike is not slowing me down much since the motor (me) is still underpowered. So my bike goal for this year is to complete bike legs in sprint and Olympic distance triathlons faster than a 20mph pace (unless there are a lot of steep hills, then all bets are off!)

Running has always been my weakest leg, even twenty years ago. And today is no different. During the winter, I have been concentrating on my run, running much longer distances and trying to work in some speed training. Still, my running goals are modest and are: complete triathlon 5k run legs in less than 27 minutes and complete triathlon 10k run legs in less than 56 minutes. For running races my goals are: complete a 5k run in less than 25 minutes and complete a 10k run in less than 53 minutes.

Last year, I only completed sprint triathlons and did the aquabike in an Olympic distance tri. This year, my goals are to complete an Olympic and a half-ironman distance triathlon (or at least the aqua-bike)and if I do only the aquabike of a half-ironman, the goal is to complete a half-marathon run.

Well, these are my goals as modest as they may be. I would welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.

2008 Review

I know, it has been over two months since I posted. However, during that time, which included the holiday season and spending time with the family, I had a chance to ponder on where I was at this time last year when I made the commitment to myself to get back into triathlons. At the beginning of 2008, I weighed over 245lbs and was considered obese, had sleep apnea that required me using a CPAP at night, and could barely run a half mile. My energy level was picking up because months earlier, I had finally went to a specialist for my thyroid problem. We began the process of tweaking my meds so that instead of just being satisfied with my T3 and T4 levels in the broad "normal" range, the doc wanted my levels to be in a much narrower optimum range. This takes a lot of time and we are still tweaking now!

Because my energy level was returning the itch was back! My doc said I was healthy to begin a training program so I set a modest goal of doing the PowerSpring tri. In the meantime, I had the sub goal of completing the Monument Ave. 10k without walking which I did in just under 62 minutes, a little faster than 10 min/mile pace. I was really disappointed that I couldn't compete in the PowerSprint but I was running a 102F fever the night before! I did compete in the Tavern tri later that month and other events since then, which I wrote about earlier and won't rehash here.

So where am I now that 2008 is over? First, I weigh less than 220 and no longer considered obese, just overweight! I no longer require using a CPAP at night nor do I snore and keep Beth up at night! and I can run much more that a half-mile without stopping! I also am even more excited about the sport and have even more goals for 2009, which I will post shortly.

But it isn't all about health and getting back into shape. I was also able to reconnect with old triathlon friends, meet new tri friends, and connect with friends who I didn't even know were into triathlons. Some old friends include one who is my age and use to (and still can!) kick my butt but no longer runs due to knee injuries (he rules in the aquabike!). And another, who I knew twenty-plus years ago when he was my age now and is now dominating his age group today! Impressive! To new friends, especially those in the Richmond Tri Club, who have made me feel welcomed! (You know who you are!). And to friends at church who I didn't even know were doing triathlon (You also know who you are!). To all, thank you for your encouragement!