Plans for 2012 – My Triathlon Season

On New Year’s Day I went to the pub to catch up with a few friends.  While I sat drinking my water (she says shining her halo – yes, I did, I caught a pretty huge cold over the holiday period, but I still wanted to see people!), someone asked a pretty obvious question for January 1st – what are your goals for the New Year.

My first reaction was that my goals would probably sound kind of boring to the crowd that I was in.  My second reaction was that since I set goals throughout the year, asking me on January 1st is really no different than asking me on any other day of the year – you may get a slightly different list depending on the time of the year you ask, but I will always have a new project or new thing that I am working toward, that will make an appearance in my list of things I want to achieve.  And my third reaction was that I had a bunch of goals when it came to triathlon (the moment wasn’t right to share them, though) but I had not finalised my 2012 racing schedule, it was already 2012, and the fact I hadn’t finalised things made me feel uncomfortable.  I mean, I knew what I wanted to race in, but I hadn’t registered for many of the events.

After stewing on point three – that my racing schedule wasn’t finalised – I set about fixing that.  I am proud to say that by January 4th I had registered for all the races that I *could* register for (the paratriathlon wave registrations are not yet available for my US or UK target races) and that my racing schedule for 2012 is now complete.

I’m completely looking forward to this year.  It brings a few new things… Like participating in paratriathlon specific races (my first ever time lining up in paratriathlon only waves!)… And participating in the almost cult-like Rev3 triathlon races (I’ll be doing Rev3 Maine at Old Orchard Beach in August).  My first ever aquabike (at Rev3 Maine). My first ever race at the middle distance (for the aquabike – my running is not yet there for participating in a half marathon distance – maybe some year but not 2012).  And a continuation of a goal from 2011 not yet achieved (two Olympic distance races in one year – thwarted by Hurricane Irene in August in 2011).  It’s a schedule that makes a lot of sense to me from a training perspective, and one that will keep me motivated and happy as I enjoy some old familiar races as well as some new venues – like Austin Texas and Paris France.

I’m excited about my 2012 racing calendar.  An early season sprint focus, with a mid and end of season Olympic distance focus, and a middle distance aquabike thrown in for fun and to get experience.  To keep things fresh, interesting, and the way I like them – always stretching me in new ways.

8 January 2012       The Egmond Quarter Marathon (10.5km) run, The Netherlands
7 April 2012             The Egg Hunt Triathlon (0.25 mile swim, 11 mile bike, 3.1 mile run) Pembroke Pines, Florida
27 April 2012           Swim-a-thon 5k swim, London UK
Early May 2012         British Triathlon Paratriathlon Series, Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run)
28 May 2012           USA Paratriathlon National Championships at the CapTex Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) Austin, Texas
10 June 2011         Blenheim Sprint Triathlon (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run) nr Oxford UK
8 July 2012             The Paris Triathlon Olympic distance (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) Paris France
26 August 2012       REV3 Triathlon Maine middle distance aquabike (1900m swim, 90km bike) Old Orchard Beach, Maine
22 September 2012 The London Triathlon Olympic distance (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run) London UK

Now, to shake the holiday cold and rundown feeling and get back to training.  After almost four weeks “off” I am dying to start up again!  I never thought I’d miss training with purpose so much, but I do…  It just goes to show that after two years of “taking things seriously” triathlon really is a part of my lifestyle now.  And I’m really proud of that as I head into 2012.

Here’s to a 2012 full of new challenges, continued fun, and much success for us all grin

9 responses to “Plans for 2012 – My Triathlon Season”

  1. I am so envious. Being pregnant means no triathlons for me for fear of falling off the bike.

    I am, however, going to try to find an aquathlon or two to do.

  2. Sounds like a great year. Happy racing. I make goals or plans throughout the year. My first two races for this year were both put in my schedule and entered last year. My big goal race for the other end of year is not yet open. My training schedule is pretty much set although open to tweaking. smile

  3. 2012 sounds like an incredible year already and you’re only 5 days in. I can’t wait to follow along for your racing season. Good luck conquering the cold – hope you’re feeling better ASAP!

  4. That’s a busy year! It’s great to make commitments early on so you can plan your training well in advance.

    On the running front, have you tried doing run/walk intervals? I used to always try to run flat out on my long runs, but as I got progressively tired I’d start tripping a lot and it got really hard. I was reluctant to run interals at first, but now I love it and my average pace is far better than if i run continuously. For example, this morning I did 8 miles at an 8min run/2 min walk pace. it was great!

  5. Hi Jude – yes, I do run/walk as a regular practice. I set the intervals according to how I’m feeling, and also vary them along the course of a run (so long run periods in the beginning compared with the end as fatigue sets in). I’ve found them very successful.  My goal is to transform my strength to endure a faster speed run for a continuous distance, which is why functional strength training will be such an important part of the mix for me. That has been on hold, but I had been working with TRX throughout October and November and really liking it.

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