Dream Chaser's 'Set a Goal and Capture it!' Mentor Group - CLOSED (Page 50)

So I have been *seriously* thinking about trying another HIM in 2012 but I guess I was spoiled with Muskoka (not the hills!!).  The transition was LITERALLY in the parking lot of a nice resort.  I just got ready, walked to the lobby, out the front door and poof! There's transition.   Being in a resort makes this a VERY easy sell for hubby.  He and my daughter had a nice breakfast, played some tennis and then went for a swim and then walked outside to meet me at the finish line (in the parking lot in front of our room).  A nice vacation to thank him for holding the fort down while I did my training all summer. 

The two HIMs I've been looking at are Steelhead which is small town so not a lot of choice, and Timberman - which starts in a park, requires me to ride my bike 30min to start line with my gear in the wee morning hours OR take the car leaving family stranded in a hotel (which is different from a resort).  So ya... I don't think it's going to happen.   Oh well... I tried

So I have been *seriously* thinking about trying another HIM in 2012 but I guess I was spoiled with Muskoka (not the hills!!).  The transition was LITERALLY in the parking lot of a nice resort.  I just got ready, walked to the lobby, out the front door and poof! There's transition.   Being in a resort makes this a VERY easy sell for hubby.  He and my daughter had a nice breakfast, played some tennis and then went for a swim and then walked outside to meet me at the finish line (in the parking lot in front of our room).  A nice vacation to thank him for holding the fort down while I did my training all summer. 

The two HIMs I've been looking at are Steelhead which is small town so not a lot of choice, and Timberman - which starts in a park, requires me to ride my bike 30min to start line with my gear in the wee morning hours OR take the car leaving family stranded in a hotel (which is different from a resort).  So ya... I don't think it's going to happen.   Oh well... I tried

So I have been *seriously* thinking about trying another HIM in 2012 but I guess I was spoiled with Muskoka (not the hills!!).  The transition was LITERALLY in the parking lot of a nice resort.  I just got ready, walked to the lobby, out the front door and poof! There's transition.   Being in a resort makes this a VERY easy sell for hubby.  He and my daughter had a nice breakfast, played some tennis and then went for a swim and then walked outside to meet me at the finish line (in the parking lot in front of our room).  A nice vacation to thank him for holding the fort down while I did my training all summer. 

The two HIMs I've been looking at are Steelhead which is small town so not a lot of choice, and Timberman - which starts in a park, requires me to ride my bike 30min to start line with my gear in the wee morning hours OR take the car leaving family stranded in a hotel (which is different from a resort).  So ya... I don't think it's going to happen.   Oh well... I tried

All this talk of holidays and vacations has hubby now surfing and he just found out about Mt. Tremblant 70.3 with... a pedestrian village and resort!  He's wanted to visit Quebec for a while now.  How freaking hilly do you think THAT will be???

Hubby's advice?  "Don't think about it and just book it.   It can't be any worse than Muskoka." ???????

Dream Chaser - 2011-10-17 11:29 AM

kimmax - 2011-10-14 3:20 PM

All this talk of holidays and vacations has hubby now surfing and he just found out about Mt. Tremblant 70.3 with... a pedestrian village and resort!  He's wanted to visit Quebec for a while now.  How freaking hilly do you think THAT will be???

Hubby's advice?  "Don't think about it and just book it.   It can't be any worse than Muskoka." ???????

And Mount Tremblant will have all new, freshly paved roads. And you can think of it as a preview for when you do the full Ironman distance at Ironman Tremblant in 2013. I plan to do it that year, too.

You're hilarious!!! Funny funny guy.  Tremblant is a big "NO".  The bike doesn't look too bad - described as flat but maybe that's by people that live in the mountains?  At the end there's a 12% climb and I have NO CLUE how I would even train for a hill like that based on where I live.  But the other thing is the run - it's a hilly run and after Muskoka - I'd rather not have both a hilly bike AND a hilly run.  I actually researched Calgary and spent about 3 hours contemplating it but this was meant to be a road trip-type adventure.  We have some big trips planned as a family for 2012 and Calgary wasn't one of them so.... There's a flat fast local HIM in June that I will likely train for and decide on closer to the date.  If all goes well then yes... Calgary may be in the cards for 2013.  It's the water that scares me brrrr. 

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  It was a windy rainy fall mess here but I still ventured out and did some running.  I think my bike will go on the trainer until spring if this keeps up

kimmax - 2011-10-17 10:36 AM

Dream Chaser - 2011-10-17 11:29 AM

kimmax - 2011-10-14 3:20 PM

All this talk of holidays and vacations has hubby now surfing and he just found out about Mt. Tremblant 70.3 with... a pedestrian village and resort!  He's wanted to visit Quebec for a while now.  How freaking hilly do you think THAT will be???

Hubby's advice?  "Don't think about it and just book it.   It can't be any worse than Muskoka." ???????

And Mount Tremblant will have all new, freshly paved roads. And you can think of it as a preview for when you do the full Ironman distance at Ironman Tremblant in 2013. I plan to do it that year, too.

You're hilarious!!! Funny funny guy.  Tremblant is a big "NO".  The bike doesn't look too bad - described as flat but maybe that's by people that live in the mountains?  At the end there's a 12% climb and I have NO CLUE how I would even train for a hill like that based on where I live.  But the other thing is the run - it's a hilly run and after Muskoka - I'd rather not have both a hilly bike AND a hilly run.  I actually researched Calgary and spent about 3 hours contemplating it but this was meant to be a road trip-type adventure.  We have some big trips planned as a family for 2012 and Calgary wasn't one of them so.... There's a flat fast local HIM in June that I will likely train for and decide on closer to the date.  If all goes well then yes... Calgary may be in the cards for 2013.  It's the water that scares me brrrr. 

Hope everyone had a good weekend.  It was a windy rainy fall mess here but I still ventured out and did some running.  I think my bike will go on the trainer until spring if this keeps up

Cold water is just an added motivator to get out of the water quickly  How long is the 12% hill?  Don't let one hill scare you away.  You will find a way to get over it.  Proper gearing and some leg strength conditioning will get you through.  Worst case scenario you walk part of it.  I saw multiple folks walking the big hills at Madison.  No shame in doing whatever it takes.

Cold water is just an added motivator to get out of the water quickly  How long is the 12% hill?  Don't let one hill scare you away.  You will find a way to get over it.  Proper gearing and some leg strength conditioning will get you through.  Worst case scenario you walk part of it.  I saw multiple folks walking the big hills at Madison.  No shame in doing whatever it takes.

All this talk of holidays and vacations has hubby now surfing and he just found out about Mt. Tremblant 70.3 with... a pedestrian village and resort!  He's wanted to visit Quebec for a while now.  How freaking hilly do you think THAT will be???

Hubby's advice?  "Don't think about it and just book it.   It can't be any worse than Muskoka." ???????

Homework...I thought only kids have home work.

Here's what I stated as my 2011 goal:

My 2011 goal: compete in at least two Olympic distance and to kill in the swim portion.  This would lead to 2012 of competing in HIM

very simple.  Reflecting on this, I did enter two Oly distance and one 1/2 marathon.  not really a full plate of events.  But I didn't "kill" it in the swim portion.  I got through swim portion for both tris but I felt a lot more comfortable in these two events than previous swim.  I wanted to shave time off the LA Tri which I did.  The most frustrating thing is my lack of consistent training outside of lunch time.  I was not able to get in runs consistently (I have yet to be able to get up around 5am to run) or bike more than 1x per week.  I feel my lack of training is holding me back from doing better in the bike and run.  However, I have mix emotion about training more at the cost of family time.  Even though my wife is understanding she and I both value our time with the kids.

So that's one of the things I have been thinking about 2012.  What am I going to do?  Am I going to just stick to Oly or will I move up and try a HIM?  I'm thinking about my winter training schedule and how that's going to look now that it gets darker earlier.

But for now, my 2012 goal is to:

1. Do a HIM

2. Do two Oly distance

3. ONe of the Oly Distance will be the LA tri and I want to better my ocean swim and finish in under 3 hours

4. Find training buddies

I think given all that was going on in your life last year you had a pretty good year!  So have you given some thought to which HIM you'll do?  Goal #4 is a good one.  I've been doing this all alone since I started.  BT has been a great resource to 'meet' people virtually, ask questions and share experiences and through this site I've even met a couple of people in the real world.  I cycled a good part of my June tour with Latestarter and her hubby.  It was funny how you feel you know someone you've never met.  But as recently as August I met a girl in transition before a race, we both were training for Muskoka and she lives not far from me and like me - knows no one that does triathlon and so the experience has been good so far.  We've only done a couple of rides together but exchange emails and chit chat about our goals, plans etc.  Maybe you can find a local cycling or tri club to meet some like-minded people near you.  I think too - if you find people faster they force you to pick it up a bit!

It's been sooooo quiet on this link.  What's everyone else up to?  We had a nice fall weekend.  Rained again this morning but I'm good with rain 5 days per week so long as Sat&Sunday are nice

Okay guys.  Some year-end Homework and an update of where we'll be in 2012. 

First, the Homework   Between now and December, I would like everyone to revisit the Goals they wrote down at the beginning of this.  Revisit those Goals and reflect on them.  Many of you accomplished them.  Some did not.  Some did not due to any fault of their own (life events, injury, etc...)   If you care to, please write a few paragraphs reviewing your year.  This will be good for you, and for others.  Right down you winter goals, and perhaps broad-stroke goals for next year.

Now, the Update.  I hope to keep this Mentor Group going until December.  Then, I will be starting a new Mentor Group.  I am going to ask George to host it with me   so it'll be a dual Mentor Group.  How bout it George?  *blush*  I'd like all of you have remained active to rejoin the group!! We had a great group, very laid back, honest; just some nice mild chemistry with a nice touch of bizarre humor.   For those of you who, sadly, disappeared -- you will have to make a valid, and convincing case for wanting back into the group.  I will also look to add some more members, perhaps some feisty and motivated members   

Again, the group will be "Goal Oriented".  Whether your goal is a 5k road race, or an Ironman; between George, myself, Greg, Rene -- we have people in this group who have experience and have done 1-mile to 140.6 mile races.  But the objectives will be personal, and it will be about indiviudal Group Members pubicly stating their 2012 Goals, drawing out a road map of how to reach those goals, and other Group Members supporting each other along the way. 

I really want to see Mike and Ted get back to 100% health.  I want to see David continue building run mileage.  I want to see Marcia do another 70.3   I want to see Jeff continue succesfully balancing an infant and triathlon.  I want the group to grow together.  This is my wish.  Hopefully you guys share the same desire. 

As this year comes to a close, I have been thinking more and more about next year.  Right now I think my top goal is going to be completing a HM in November.  I would also like to run a couple more sprints and move up to an Oly by late summer.  My biggest concern is trying to bite off more than I can chew given my current fitness level and outside commitments (especially the new baby).  I am hoping these goals will mesh well together as I currently see the run as my biggest physical limiter.  I can already do the swim and bike distances comfortably, albeit slowly. 

I'm so brutal without a plan!! Even though I don't have to start training until 2012 I feel unsettled without knowing the end goal so... after much changing and deliberation (and yes I was heavily influenced by tri-buddy and everyone in this group) I have arrived at a plan that I feel works for me!  Here goes - in writing=COMMITTED:

January I will start training towards another century and in Feb I start my HIM plan.  I want to cycle the Gran Fondo in May which is a local 'italian' flavoured ride through Niagara's wine country.  And then I plan do to a local HIM here in Welland - it's flat and fast.  I just hope I'm fast too!!!  That race will be the one that determines where I go from there - if great - I will likely do some local long course/olympic hilly tris in July and August and give Muskoka HIM another try in September.  And then Calgary 70.3 in 2013.  If I hate it - it's just too long etc I'll still do the long/oly courses but finish the season off with the Centurion50 in September.  So there you have it!  SIGH Now I can relax

Anyone else thinking?  I know Bobby is now an IRONMAN RACER!!!  woo hoo! 

Sammeg - 2011-10-27 6:05 PM Good luck this weekend on your Marathon Rene!! Go getcha that sub 3:15(seriously dude, that's stupid fast   )

THANKS!!!  I am going to need it....especially at mile 20!! Ouch! 

It will be an adventure