Tags
Boston Marathon, bq, california international marathon, CIM, IMMT, Ironman, Ironman 70.3, Training, Triathlon
Happy New Year! 2015 was the quickest year I can remember. Although years seem shorter as we grow older, last year felt particularly brief due to the ~3 months I spent indoors recovering from my injury. Fortunately, I endured two successful recovery cycles last year: my broken foot, and Rio Del Lago 100. After a relaxing November and December that consisted of low volume and unstructured training, I can finally say that I feel fully recovered for the first time in a year.
Christmas Day Trail Run in Marin!
I spent a lot of time thinking about goals and priorities in 2015. Now that I’ve participated in running races and triathlons from sprint/5k up to Ironman/100 miles, I have a good sense of which distances I enjoy, and those where I have a propensity for improvement.
Some early season cross-training: snowshoeing in Tahoe
In 2016, my top priority is getting faster. I want to make incremental improvements to my swimming and cycling while remaining focused on my long term goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Although I’m realistically 12+ months away from a Boston Qualifying time, I’ve structured my 2016 race calendar to prepare myself for a BQ by May 2017.
Tahoe sunrise
I’ve selected 4 ‘A’ races this year – each is well timed for optimal training/recovery, and each will build on one another:
May 29, 2016: Mountains2Beach Half Marathon* (I’ll race the full if training goes well)
Goal: sub 1:30 half, or sub 3:18 full
July 10, 2016: Vineman 70.3 (round 3!)
Goal: sub 5:18
August 21, 2016: Ironman Mont Tremblant (first full Ironman in 4 years!)
Goal: sub 12:00
December 4th, 2016: California International Marathon (first BQ attempt!)
Goal: sub 3:05
I’ll also add 2-3 ‘B’ and ‘C’ priority races in the build up to Vineman and CIM. In general, I plan on racing much less frequently than I have over the past few years. I also will be making a change to my training: I’ve decided to work with a coach in 2016, and we agreed to both this race schedule and a ~18 month timeframe for a BQ time.
Enjoying some first tracks in Tahoe
Needless to say, I’m stoked. I’m happy to start the year feeling good – mentally and physically. I’m happy to have a long term stretch goal and some short term goals to keep up the momentum. It’ll be a fun season. What’s everyone else racing this year? Who else kicked off tri season this weekend?
Single-tracked Mind 
I feel like I’m slacking on picking races this year. I have a few I really want to do but am just behind the eight ball on registering! Good luck with all your races!
No sweat! There are always charity entries worst case. Keep an eye out for discount codes this week – I’ve seen a few already!
My goals for 2016 are still kinda wide open. I am spending the first part of the year mostly doing some pacing. I am pacing three marathons and a half before the middle of April, so there’s that. Your plan sounds great!
Very cool – how do you get involved as a pacer? Do you need a certain time in an open race? Have a great season!
Glad you’re back brother. I’ll bet 100% feels pretty good right about now.
Sure does, thanks Jim! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year brother. Good luck and break a le… err… Run fast, bro!
Chuckle.
I see what you did there!!!
😉
How exciting about working with a coach. Your long term plans sound awesome and I have no doubt you will achieve your goals. You are determined and wise, a great combo!
I’m thrilled and can’t wait to lift the lid on the coaching program. First things first – I need my plan to arrive! I appreciate the kind words Sarah – thank you for reading, and Happy New Year! Is a BQ while pushing a stroller in store this year? 🙂
Well….the last time I did a marathon I raced without planning to BQ and I did. This time I want to run the race myself and do it on my own terms and see where it takes me. So I have two marathons on the docket and will just wait and see what happens. Both scary and exciting all at once!
You will do great – the best races come when you least expect them! Which marathons are you racing?
I’m doing the Poconos in May and Grandma’s in June. I’m looking forward to getting back into training.
A BQ will be a huge PR for you, too! With your drive to succeed and the addition of a coach to give you an extra push this year, I have no doubt you’ll get there, especially with how well you did in Berlin on the heels of injury! I also am going much lighter on the races this year. It is just too hard on the wallet and a little too taxing mentally – I’d rather focus more on training. My big goal is to sub-3:45, hopefully hit 3:40 at Pittsburgh but I’m going to wait to decide on goals for the latter half of the year.
Speaking of BQs – *cough*! I appreciate it Hanna – I can’t wait to see what the year has in store! I’ve realized that I’ve run my easy runs way too hard – something a lot of people are guilty of, and I’m making a concerted effort to slow down on the easy days.
You’ll get that 3:45, and I bet you’ll skip past 3:40 and straight to the BQ. Good luck with your early season training! Stay warm!
these are awesome goals!! i, too, am looking at CIM if not this year then next. Have always wanted to do it!
Thank you! Do it – registration opens again on March 1st, and you could always defer!
Awesome schedule!! That is awesome that you are working with a coach this year. There is no doubt in my mind that you will will BQ. You made huge gains this year. I have also made the plunge and hired a coach. I’m super excited for this season!! I’m planning on Coeur d’Alene 70.3 and IM Wisconsin. 🙂
Thank you Leslie!!! How exciting – did you start your coached workouts yet?? I would love to join you for CdA – put in a good word with Taylor. Word on the street is she may want to do it too 🙂
Yes!! Very exciting!! I start February 1st. 🙂 Yes you guys should do CdA…that would be so fun!!!!