Jason 2011 Goals

General goals:

Improve my times in every race, in every discipline.

For me this is the most important goal.  Given that last year was my first, I believe that I should be able to get faster times at every race and in every discipline.  Showing improvement is one of my key themes for this year.

 

Stick to my training plans and approach each workout with a stated purpose.

Racing two half Ironmans and 2 olympics is going to require solid execution of my training plans.  My build up during 2010 went well and I peaked nicely for the Miami 70.3.  This gives me some confidence that all my planning last year worked and resulted in a good race.  Although I followed a defined plan last year, I know I didn’t execute every workout as intended; for example taking longer rests between sets at the pool or not pushing hard enough on the bike or cutting runs short.  So although I peaked for Miami, I think by pushing harder throughout the year I can set new standards in 2011.

 

Survive increased volume.

This is another key theme for 2011.  I’m thinking about a full ironman in 2012, but I need to feel comfortable about maintaining a higher volume of training.  In 2010 I did two macro phases – a 16 week olympic plan for the first half of the year and a 20 week half Ironman plan for the second half of the year.  In 2011 I will be starting off with a Half Ironman plan aiming towards Providence in July and then doing a modified half Ironman plan for the second half of my year.  Although my season will end 6 weeks sooner, I expect to have a much higher total volume.

 

Do more group rides and group runs.

This was something that I did not do enough of in 2010.  I really enjoy training in a group and am lucky to have about 10 possible group rides I could join throughout the week and quite a few group runs as well.  I want to take advantage of these to push myself on loosely structured training days. 

 

Repeat as age group mileage leader at Cornerstone Pool.

This is a simple one.  I won’t know where I stand relative to everyone else until the end of the year, but I will shoot for 100 miles and hope that I can repeat.

 

Minimize injuries with more stretching.

I certainly had my issues with injuries last year, particularly from running.  This resulted in several physical therapy sessions and limited my run training.  I know flexibility is one of my problems and need to incorporate stretching into my weekly routing.

 

Keep having fun.

This is perhaps the most important goal.  This is what I do in my free time.  If it doesn’t continue to be fun – both the racing and the training – my career as a triathlete will be short. 

 

 

Race performance goals:

Sub 21:45 5k.  (7:00 min/mile pace)

This is probably my toughest goal for the year.  Running is my weakest discipline, but I need to keep working at it and the speed should come with more volume.

 

Sub 2:30 Olympic Distance Tri. 

I was let down by silly mistakes at Esprit last year.  I know that without those mistakes, this goal is achievable.

 

Lower my Half Ironman time. 

I will be racing at both Providence and Timberman.  I am targeting Providence as one of my 2 A races (along with Esprit), but it is hard to say which course I might go better on.  In theory, both of these courses should be slower than Miami since they aren’t as flat.  Timberman should be hillier on the bike but Providence should be hillier on the run.  I will be happy with any improvement in time at either race.

 

Improve Relative Placing.

In 2010, on average, in triathlons I seemed to perform roughly in the top 1/2 of my age group and top 1/3 overall.  For 2011 I want to try to move this towards top 1/3 of my age group and top 1/4 overall.