Goals for May 2016

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I am back from a little bit of a hiatus. Last week was my heaviest week of training in a long time and combined with a solid work week and I didn’t have much time for anything else.

Needless to say, I am back and ready to talk goal setting. I have some big goals on deck for May but first, I wanted to take a look and see how I did for April.

1. Hone in on triathlon nutrition. A++

I saw my sports nutritionist and she gave me a bit of a calorie boost. My weeks are hovering around 10 hours of training or so and adding in the fact that they have intensity folded in, I am eating ALL THE THINGS. She is a great resource to make sure that when I am raiding the kitchen, they are foods that help me reach my goals. Getting a meal plan that is tailored to me is one of the best things I have done for my sports nutrition in the past year.

2. Test out the Muskoka Ironman course. F

Sadly, this was a complete fail. With work and busy weekend, I wasn’t able to get out this month but I have another trip planned shortly. It may have been a blessing in disguise as I am now able to get some extra work done on the hills.

3. Tackle a huge work event. A++

We have a huge 3 day event that happens every first and third quarter at work and it tends to be a little all consuming. I had an awesome time but as promised, I did pare down my social interactions in order to get through.

4. Get my mountain bike ready. A++ 

After a hard year of adventure racing, I needed to give my bike some TLC so I took it to the shop to get it all tuned up for my first big adventure race of the year happening at the end of the month. I am taking it out for a number of training rides this month to prepare.

5. Be quiet. F

…. You had to know this would happen. I’d like to say I even tried but I didn’t.

Ok. Switching gears to May! Lots of big things on the go for me.

1. PB the 10 KM distance.

You may recall me mentioning my goal to PR in the 5 KM in March. This year is a slow progression over distances for me in my training and we have moved on to the 10 KM. I am looking at doing the Sporting Life race in Toronto this weekend and have prepared relentlessly. I am ready.

2. Be proactive about an injury.

I already have a planned 1-2 week hiatus from running planned following the race. I have been struggling with a little niggle since the winter and my coach and we decided to be proactive and reset before it turned into an injury. I will be sharing more information on this after the race! The next goal and this one flow together.

3. Increase bike training volume and incorporate technical mountain biking skills.

I am going to switch my focus for May to cycling. The bike is a very important element of what I am doing this year in both the triathlon and adventure racing so I am using this time to get AWESOME at it.

4. Survive my first 72 hour adventure race.

I want to be competitive for this one but I always give myself a free pass when it comes to my first crack at a big race. Three days is a long time to race without stopping so I am mentally preparing myself now. It will also be the very first race that is just Brad and I which we did intentionally to properly prepare for our International 4 day event in September. We are getting much better at working together and anticipating what the other person needs during a race. We have a few training sessions planned leading up to the race and it will be important to make sure we are ready.

5. Have a good birthday.

I know this seems ridiculous but my birthdays have been terrible for the past stretch. It is time for a good one and I am taking matters into my own hands this year. I will be celebrating with the 72 hour adventure race and I can honestly say, it will be the best ever. The sense of exhaustion and accomplishment that comes with a race like that is exactly what I want to be feeling when I realize I am indeed, another entire year older.

6. Get outside for 30 minutes each day.

I am teaming up with Genuine Health and the David Suzuki Foundation to take the 30×30 Nature challenge. Read more here and sign up and join me!