All you can do is tri

I’ve been having a hard time figuring out where to start with my goals and what, in my training, deserves the most attention. 

Today, I went to a great lecture put on by a local cycling club.  The speaker was Carrie Cheadle, M.A., Sports Psychology Consultant from Penngrove, CA.  She basically had us all sit down and write down our goals for the upcoming year and how we planned on going about achieving our goals.  She also went over how to train mentally.  It was very informative.  

If anyone is having a tough time with mental training or it is obsolete, check her out.  www dot carriecheadle dot com

Below is just a portion of what I came away with from the three hour lecture today. 

My outcome goal: Complete the Pacific Crest Half Ironman in June 2007

Potential obstacles:  Injury . . . Procrastination . . . Overtraining . . . Fatigue . . . Over thinking the process.

What can be done to avoid the potential obstacles?  Process goals.

Process Goal # 1 

What: train consistently; Why: it will keep me in line with my goal and injury free; How: work on my schedule & integrate it into my life; When: NOW, everyday.

Process Goal # 2

What: breaking my long term goals into shorter term goals; Why: easier to feel achievement thus far and re-evaluate your path/plan; How: writing down things you want to work on and then develop a plan/strategy for short term goals; When: in the near future. Hopefully this weekend.

Process Goal # 3

What: focus on goal/mission/dream; Why: because it is why you are committing to dedication of training, time, and body; How: incorporate into training as mental strength; When: every training session.

Another important thing I came away with was that I don’t think I have any strengths.  I become the deer in headlights everytime I’m asked that in a book, by my coach, etc.  I dunno…  Once the headlights passed today, I realized that the reason I can’t come up with my strengths is because I’m comparing myself to others and their strengths, and not necessarily compared to how far I’ve come in the sport.  Which still isn’t much, since I’m just now finally able to commit myself and my time to it.  So, I’m leaning towards a “we’ll see…” kind of answer.  The strengths I was able to come up with are that I adapt easily to training.  I have the committment needed.  I’m disciplined and I’m knowledgeable about the sport since I’ve been “studying” it for 7 years now. 

I think in continuation of Process Goal #2, I’m going to just focus on my off-season plan from Rich right now.  And as I discussed with him, I will get a hold of him in February so we can figure out my plan for the 2007 season.   While I’m following his plan, I’ll create my own for mental training, as well as doing more “studying”.  It wasn’t quite as hard as I had made it out to be.  I guess I just didn’t want to miss anything important.