« It IS All About the Bike | Main | Oh Yeah, I Rode Today Too »
December 31, 2006
And So Goes Another Year
I'm sitting here at my computer and I think just now realizing that 2007 is here upon us. Maybe it's always like this and I just forget, but it seems like this year has gone by so fast - in a flash - like I don't even remember what all happened. But it is what it is and because in several hours it will be a new year, this blog entry MUST (yes must!) at least reflect a little about the past year.
As always (as in previous years) my highs and lows for the year 2006:
Low - I really only had one major low, the passing of my high school cross country coach. Heartbreaking to say the least. The day of his funeral ranks as one of the worst days of my life, ever. But the good news is, his memory lives on. It lives on in all the people he taught and coached, and most obviously in his 3 young children.
High - This is a pretty obvious one - I found a new sport! What started out as just "something to do" until I could run again like I wanted to, has turned into quite an amazing ride. I haven't felt this excited or passionate about anything for a while and that makes me so happy! Along with the high of finding this sport is the realization that O and I could rearrange our lives some, my work schedule some, etc... to really give it a go next season and see what happens.
All in all a pretty good year. But that makes sense because all in all I've been blessed with such a wonderful life and such wonderful people in my life. I'm thankful beyond words.
And so with the reflection of last year complete, that means it's all systems go on 2007. Foward motion now baby!
About 2 weeks ago I sat down and wrote all my goals out for the 2007 tri season (and for the whole year really). I generally don't like to tell other people my goals, except for some obvious ones like my coach and O who need to know such things. But Meghan's comment on my blog yesterday made me think - perhaps I should be a little more sharing of what I'm setting out to do? I definitely feel like not wanting to share my goals shows a lack of belief in myself that I can actually accomplish them. You know - "if I don't tell people what I really wanted to do it's okay if I don't achieve the goal because then I really won't have failed" - type thinking. But you see I can't afford that type of thinking and that lack of belief. It's time to put those fears behind me. If I really want to accomplish my goals, I have to believe I can accomplish them. Sounds pretty basic but it's probably the biggest barrier I have to overcome.
So first, a list of races that I will be doing:
1) Columbia Triathlon May 20 (Oly distance)
2) Eagleman Triathlon June 10 (1/2 IM distance)
3) Philadelphia Triathlon June 24 (Oly distance)
4) Age Group Nationals June 30 (Oly distance)
5) Pittsburgh Triathlon July 15 (Oly distance)
6) NYC Triathlon July 22 (Oly distance)
Those will take care of the early season, June and July at which point we will evaluate where we're at. At Age Group Nationals I can qualify for the USAT World meet which is in Germany in September. At the Pittsburgh Tri I can qualify for an event called Best of the US which is in October in Florida and at Eagleman I can qualify for Kona or for the World 1/2 IM Championships in Florida in November.
So my goals for these races? Here goes - for Columbia, Philadelphia and NYC I want to win the amateur elite divisions. These races all have pro fields. For Pittsburgh and Age Group Nationals (no pro fields) I want to win the races out right. And for Eagleman, my only longer event of the season, I aim to win my age group. Winning my age group would send me to Kona, placing within the top 3 of my age group would send me to Florida for the 1/2 IM World Champs.
Other goals? Go 2:08 in an Oly distance tri. Go 4:40 at Eagleman. Run 37:30 in one of my 10Ks. Win the local crit series for women. And if I do all the above, I will have achieved the qualifying standards to turn pro the following season (2008).
Whew. I'm tired just reading all those goals. :) And I have to admit - I really want to delete this post right now and never tell anyone ever again what my goals are! But I'm not gonna. I'm just not gonna.
There are days when I wake up and I think without a doubt that I have all the ability, training and mental toughness I will need to get every single one of the above goals and more. And there are also days when I wake up and I wonder if I'll even be able to swim the 3000 yd workout I have planned that morning. let alone win a race. But I think it's natural - to have ups and downs - and I imagine even the best athletes in the world suffer from bouts of self doubt. Perhaps my biggest and toughest goal of the whole season will be attack each race AND EACH DAY with confidence and the belief that there is no reason why it can't be me.
I'm so excited about it all. Really, really excited. I'm motivated and passionate and just ready to get out there and start racing! And so over the next several months I expect there to be some ups and downs here in this blog. It should be an interesting ride for sure...
Posted by beth at December 31, 2006 4:53 PM
Comments
Wow, I'm tired from reading this post, too. :)
Thank you for sharing your plans and goals. I agree that it's challenging to tell others your big plans because then the accountability level rises to something above yourself and your close friends. Alternatively, look at the huge group of cheerleaders you have out here who now understand what you are doing and can encourage you along the way. Your support base has just increased significantly!
You're going to have an exciting year, and I'm excited for you!
Posted by: Meghan at December 31, 2006 9:56 PM
I'm so impressed with your goals and, even more, with your forthrightness in declaring them. I really enjoy reading about your training so I'm excited to think about how interesting reading about your racing is going to be. Best of luck for 2007.
Posted by: Roslyn at January 3, 2007 4:05 PM