With the start of the new year this seems like the perfect opportunity to reflect on 2015 and to dream big for 2016. My goal race for this year is no secret…I’ll be racing Ironman in Boulder on August 7th this year. With this being my fourth go at 140.6 miles my goals for this race are a bit bigger than to just cross the finish line. I’ve been ruminating on this goal since August, and since then I began to put the pieces together to help me get there.
Looking back on my previous three races each day has been difficult and challenging, but there is no such thing as an easy Ironman.
My goal for Ironman Boulder is to finish before it gets dark. This goal is so big and scary that I have been very hesitant to speak this out loud to very many people. On August 7, 2016 the sun will set at 8:07 pm, giving me somewhere around 13 – 13.5 hours to reach this goal. That is a significant difference from my 2014 race time and that scares me! Focusing on a goal time in an Ironman distance race can be a really difficult thing. If you believe that your goal is slipping away from you it can be really easy to mentally throw in the towel and to not appreciate how hard you may have raced.
sunset on Pearl Street in Boulder
I’ve broken my overall big scary goal down into process goals, because I know these will all play a huge part in the success of my day.
#1 Train My Brain
I believe the biggest key on race day will be my mental strength. I will need to stay focused when I get bored, uncomfortable or tired on the bike. I will need to be okay with being uncomfortable on the run and resisting the urge to walk. I have a bigger post in the works to talk about how I’ve been working to build mental toughness over these last few months, so I promise to share more soon!
#2 Make Gains on the Bike
I’ve also been working hard over the last year to really build bike fitness. I invested in a power meter (the Garmin Vector). I’ve been spinning with a group where the workouts are challenging and designed to make you a stronger cyclist. The workouts are based on our FTP (functional threshold power) and power training zones so you know you are working at the right intensity for you. I know that dialing in my nutrition needs on the bike will be a key component so I can be properly fueled and ready to run a marathon. I also need to make a tweak or two to get a bit more comfortable on the bike. I don’t spend a lot of time in aero which means I’m not as efficient as I could be on the bike. I need to make some changes to become more comfortable there.
#3 Fuel My Body
Near the end of 2015 I enlisted the help of a nutritionist. Over the last year I’ve made good strides to improve my overall diet. I finally kicked my usual habit of buying lunch at work. I take the time to meal plan and grocery shop every week. I have found ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables in my diet and I have upped my water consumption. The next step was needing a bit of help to figure out where I could fine tune things and to make sure that I was on the right path. The good news was that overall my diet was in pretty good shape! That being said, being a bit more mindful on protein consumption, snacks and meal timing are areas I have for improvement.
#4 Make Time for Core and Strength
One habit I’ve had a difficult time sticking with has been regular core and strength work. In an already packed schedule these are the workouts that seem to get missed the most. The thing is, a strong core is key to preventing common injuries, and for being strong in the water, on the bike and on the run.
#5 Nurture My Relationship with Neil
Training for an Ironman requires a lot of hours spent swimming, biking and running. I absolutely love it and I feel so fortunate that Neil is a very supportive spouse. He wants to see me reach my goals and knowing he will be there at the finish line keeps me moving when things get hard. I want him to be proud of me.
I want to ensure that we are spending quality time together. Making time for date nights, board games, walks with Peat, or cooking dinner at home together is important to me.
So there we go…I’ve shared my big scary goal for 2016 with you and outlined the steps I am taking to help me get there. Wish me luck!! What is your big goal for 2016?
I am linking up with MCM Mama, My No Guilt Life and Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Tuesdays on the Run.
What an exciting goal! Boulder is a fantastic race and I am sure you will have a great year training =)
Thank you Beth!! It sounds like you have a very exciting year ahead of you too!! 🙂
Runner Leana recently posted…Christmas in New York City
Fantastic goals for the year! I have so much admiration for triathletes, you guys work so hard! Good luck with your next Ironman!
Janelle recently posted…New Year’s Resolutions for 2016
Thank you so much Janelle! It sounds like you have some amazing goals for next year too and I can’t wait to follow your journey. I left you a comment on your blog but I think it may have gotten caught in spam?
Runner Leana recently posted…Christmas in New York City
This was so inspiring to read with my coffee this morning!! That is a big goal, but I know you can do the work to achieve it. You have a amazing plan in place that I’m sure will lead to your success. I can’t wait to follow along as you train!!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment and kind words Amy!!
Runner Leana recently posted…Christmas in New York City
WOW! Really looking forward to hearing more about how you train your brain.
140.6 isn’t my thing (who knows, maybe some day it will be) but it’s so easy to slack off in the last few miles of a HM if you think you cannot make your goal. It has happened to me before.
Big and scary indeed! All the best with your IM! Thanks for linking up!
Marcia recently posted…Stop the Presses!
Good for you for sharing your goal Leana. Big goals are so scary to share but you’re definitely on the right track and have a great game plan.
Jen recently posted…Why I Hired A Running Coach & 2016 Goal Marathon Reveal
Love it Leana … I find cooking dinners/packing lunches from home is a huge difference in overall health and performance. I know you’ll crush it in Boulder!
Thank you so much Jenn!!
Runner Leana recently posted…Goals for 2016
These are SO GOOD! I am going to share this post with Travis because you have a lot of Ironman veteran wisdom in here that he can benefit from.
You have the plan in place and are willing to put in the work, so I have no doubt your goals are well within your reach. Good luck!
Marilyn recently posted…18 MILER
Thanks for your comment Marilyn! Best of luck to Travis as he trains for his first IM. That is so exciting!!
Runner Leana recently posted…Goals for 2016
You will see a huge benefit with training and racing with a power meter. Having used one for the last 4 years I can tell you that one of the hardest things to do is stick to your power range during a race when it’s feeling too “easy” or you’re not going as fast as you’d like. It’s so important though to having a good, strong run!
Good luck with your training this year!
Thank you for your comment Mary! When I first got my power meter I didn’t do any kind of test for my zones so the numbers didn’t mean very much. Now that I’ve got those numbers in hand I think it helps a lot! Yes, I’m hoping it will help me to dial back when I want to charge out of the gates on race day!
Runner Leana recently posted…Goals for 2016
An Irionman, how exciting! You are smart to make goals for your relationship. I agree that training takes SO much time that sometimes we neglect to do things with friends and family! I’m looking forward to some much needed free time once my marathon is over.
Thanks Meranda! Yes, making time for friends and family is really important. Best of luck with your marathon this weekend!!
Runner Leana recently posted…Goals for 2016
You are TOTALLY right that training your brain is number one. So many people give up on their goals because they think they’re tired, or they get bored. I certainly don’t know what’s boring about being on the razor edge of your bodily limits for hours on end, understanding when to push, when to dial back a bit, when to eat or drink, prepared to cope with the endless number of things that can go pear shaped. You’ve made HUGE progress, and I can’t wait to see how you do. Anything I can do to support you, just ask.
keith recently posted…The temptation to apricate
Thank you so much for your comment Keith. I have found it very easy to give in to the “this is hard, I should just walk” thoughts on previous races so mental strength will be a key component!
I know we are a ways away from riding outdoors, but perhaps this spring/summer we could ride Road to Nepal together? I was chatting with a lady at the pool who raced Boulder last year and she found that this route was great preparation for race day.
Runner Leana recently posted…Goals for 2016
I would love to do that. I should be in shape for it by then. My house is about a 20 minute ride from it, and you’re welcome to stage out of here if you like. It’s super preparation for a hilly race, because it’s all hills, all the time, and respectably steep and long.
Keith recently posted…The temptation to apricate
Awesome goals!!! I have been trying to clean up my diet too and meal planning really helps!! Plus, I chug water now ALL the time which curbs mindless snacking (my downfall!)
Kaella On The Run recently posted…Christmas, The Holidays and The First Weekend of the New Year
Yes to meal planning! It takes time and I sometimes feel frustrated or uninspired but it is well worth the effort.
Runner Leana recently posted…Goals for 2016
This is inspirational! Good luck, i think you can make your goal!!
Great post about your goal. Sounds like you have laid out a plan to get there. Mental toughness is hard to acheive but you work so hard that I have no doubt you will find it! Good luck with your training.
You’ve got this. I’ll be cheering you on throughout your process to achieve it! Love how you broke it down into different parts.
Wendy recently posted…the path taken: reflections on 2015
Wow you are setting the bar super high. You need to find 2 hrs and 10 minutes! As you said, walking eats up a lot of time, and on the bike you can go an hour faster by staying aero for a greater percentage of the race. Go for it, keep it fun and get ready to rumble!!!!!
So so awesome! The best way to reach your goals is to do what you just did – put it out there where people will support you through your hard work.
I look forward to reading more about the brain training!
Una, thank you so much for your comment! Hopefully I’ll have my brain training post up next week!
Runner Leana recently posted…Working Out in New York: Pure Barre, Refine Method and Running Central Park