General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I find registering for races to be the best motivation.... Rss Feed  
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2011-10-04 9:16 AM

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Subject: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....

So this was my first season and I did 5 races.  I know next year I want to build on my running skills and my goal is to do a half iron in 2013 once I'm finished with college. 

A coworker's wife challenged me to a half marathon next May in Kenosha so I'm registered for my first half!  I'm already thinking about my training.  I've got my spreadsheet set up and will spend the next three months building base miles before starting the training.

I'm already excited and it's....like 8 months away!



2011-10-04 9:28 AM
in reply to: #3710517

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Expert
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Albuquerque, NM
Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....
I'm right there with you...
If I don't have a race on the books - my motivation to train definitely lacks.
2011-10-04 9:30 AM
in reply to: #3710517

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....
I try to plan the races I'm going to do a year ahead of time and then lay out my training plan.  Commiting to races early definitely helps to give a focus to your training.

During the "off season" I like to concentrate on my running which has been my weakest discipline.  I did what is probably my last triathlon of the year last week and in the next few weeks will be starting a half marathon plan to prepare for the Sarasota Half Marathon in March.  I'll still be swimming and biking also, but mostly high volume/low intensity base-building.

After the half mary I'll start pointing towarded my first planned triathlon of the year in May.

Another advantage of entering races early is that it's usually cheaper, although you run the risk of injury or other conflicts that might keep you from racing. 

Mark

2011-10-04 9:36 AM
in reply to: #3710517

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Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....
Thats by far my best motivater knowing I will have to swim, bike and run a certain day makes training a priority.
2011-10-04 9:58 AM
in reply to: #3710517

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Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....
My running is also my weakest point - I don't think I'm going to swim at all until after the first of the year.  I'll save some money on gym fees, run on the streets and bike on my trainer.  I have already found two of the races I want to do are conflicting - that makes me sad.
2011-10-04 10:21 AM
in reply to: #3710531

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Elite
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Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....

RockTractor - 2011-10-04 10:28 AM I'm right there with you... If I don't have a race on the books - my motivation to train definitely lacks.

x2.



2011-10-04 10:25 AM
in reply to: #3710517

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Brawley (Middle of the Desert), CA
Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....
For many years, I thought about doing triathlons.  When I finally signed up for one, that was the first kick in the butt!  I have never been good at just getting out to exercise, but when I sign up for something, I plan on doing it, and I will be darned if I make a fool of myself.  And out of all that, I get out and train.  I have found that not only registering, but also reading posts and race reviews are motivation for getting out there and doing. 
2011-10-04 2:27 PM
in reply to: #3710517

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Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....

I am the poster child for "registration gets you moving."

I hope to turn this into a lifestyle. I'm starting to feel it already, as the days when I don't train, I feel like something is missing. After years of inactivity that is a major sea change.

But it all got started for me in targeting a 1/2 marathon 13 months away. Along the way I fell into local sprint tris, now I have an oly on the horizon. And I know that I would slack after the 1/2 mary this January if not for the fact that I already registered for a 1/2Iron in June 2012.

Some of us need the carrot. For me, at the outset, just the idea of moving my mass that far (and my "that far" starts with a low threshold. I set out with an assumption I would need twice the weeks to do C25K.) was daunting, let alone time concerns. I am still crazy slow, but I feel stronger, I go farther, and I hold my head up with a smile on my face.

2011-10-04 8:16 PM
in reply to: #3710517

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Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....

Unfortunately I am the same way, but I always have to sign up for bigger and longer races each year to keep my motivation.

My pregression was 5k->sprint->half mary->full mary->half iron->50k run->ironman  next is a 50 miler.  if i do the same distance over I slump in my training and slack off big time....eventually i'll have to be like forest gump and run across the US I guess

2011-10-04 8:18 PM
in reply to: #3710517

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: I find registering for races to be the best motivation....
Musicodm - 2011-10-04 9:16 AM

So this was my first season and I did 5 races.  I know next year I want to build on my running skills and my goal is to do a half iron in 2013 once I'm finished with college. 

A coworker's wife challenged me to a half marathon next May in Kenosha so I'm registered for my first half!  I'm already thinking about my training.  I've got my spreadsheet set up and will spend the next three months building base miles before starting the training.

I'm already excited and it's....like 8 months away!

There's a couple of really good BT triathletes from IL - coredump and schmize - and quite a few from the Milwaukee area.  Stop on in the Illinois and/or the Wisconsin forums if you like and make yourself known.

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » I find registering for races to be the best motivation.... Rss Feed