It really is important to me to set goals for myself every year. I use these goals as tools to strive for self-improvement in many aspects of my life. I don’t always achieve the targets that I set (like improving my writing skills) so it is important at this time of year to review the results. Especially since I often get mired down in all of the day to day challenges that life throws my way and perhaps forget to recognize that I did accomplish a few things this past year. So lets begin this annual review process by looking the race results for this past season.
2008 Race Results
I finally broke the 5:30 mark in Half Ironman. Woo Hoo! Now maybe this was because of the course. I mean the Shawnigan Lake bike course is certainly less challenging than doing Richter Pass (twice) during the Desert Half. Nonetheless, first 2008 goal achieved.
PR’s in 10km, Half Marathon, Half Ironman and 55 km Ultra-Marathon. Yay!
3 trips to the podium this year. Two silver medals in Half-Ironman and a gold in the 55 km Ultra-Marathon. This is a huge accomplishment for me. The only other medal that I have won in my life was a bronze medal in the Sprint version of the Vancouver Triathlon during my first season (it rained so hard that everyone had gone home!). Very satisfying for someone who never has considered themselves to be an athlete.
The only real disappointment in the year was my (lack of) performance at Ironman Switzerland. Yes, like most triathletes, I have plenty of excuses. The weather was crappy, I was jet-lagged and my forearm had a hairline fracture. Still I would have had a much better race if I had paid more attention to my nutrition and not “lost” my stomach during the run portion. I find this so frustrating because I know all these lessons well but perhaps lost focus on race day. The good thing is that I know that I have a much better race in me and given the right conditions, it will happen. Besides, what better way to spend your 50th birthday than by doing an Ironman? Right?
Goals for 2009
11:00 hour Ironman – I am sure that many people would not consider that a stretch however it will be for me. I am really going to have to improve my swim and bike times. Fortunately I have a good coach and will be attending swim camp next week. I also have two chances to achieve this goal in 2009 since I have entered both Ironman Coeur d’Alene and Canada.
3:20 Marathon – I would really like to be able to do this at Boston this year.
5:30 Half Ironman at the California 70.3 – I have never gone under 5:50 at this race as it is so early in the season.
What’s this? You are inside bloggin?
Maybe. What if I am? Can’t a person blog on their Christmas vacay?
Shouldn’t you be out there cycling or running??