| My 2008 Resolutions
By Ironman Age Group World Champion and MAP Team member Cherie Gruenfeld
I know that New Year's Resolutions are usually made on December 31st, when we're staring down the first day of a brand new year. But as a triathlete who has just finished 2007, I'm in the process of evaluating last season and using that analysis to plan a great 2008. So it seems to me that this is the right time to put some thought into my Resolutions for the next season. Perhaps some of these will make your list as well.
• I will not set myself up for a sub-par 2008 by not taking an off-season. Putting it another way: I won't wreck my 2008 dreams by being stupid right now!
• I will plan out the season with my goal ("A") race taking priority.
• I will commit to planning the work and working the plan. I won't do a race that doesn't fit into my overall plan just because everyone is doing it and wouldn't it be fun?
• I'll make a race day plan and stick with it, regardless of how much I'd like to throw it out mid-race.
• I won't stress out when life interferes with my workout plans. If the interruption continues over time, I'll make adjustments and move on.
• I'll be a good sport when I do training races and get whomped by the competition. Instead of making sure everyone at the finish line knows that I was using it as a training race, I'll let my performance in the "A" race do the talking.
• I'll keep in mind that REST is not a nasty 4-letter word but a necessity and I'll take Recovery Weeks seriously, getting the full benefit from them.
• I will spend more time outside my comfort zone. I've always been intimidated by the cold water at Alcatraz . Perhaps this is the year I tackle it.
• I'll spend less time working in "No-man's Land" where I'm either working too hard to get the benefit of a recovery workout or too easy to get the benefit of a workout that stresses the body. On a recovery day, I'll stay in Zone 2 (Easy) and on hard days, I'll get up into Zone 4-5 (Hard).
• I'll do drill work in all three disciplines, thereby improving my technique.
• I won't pressure the family to attend my races, but I'll encourage them to and try to make the event a fun family outing rather than an "It's-all-about-me" day.
• I promise to consider my kid's college fund before I order the new bike to replace the one I got just last year.
• I won't be obsessive about training and racing, but I will be obsessive about my recovery, including nutrition and supplements. I'll always carry a bottle of MAP in the car so it's handy for workouts away from home.
• I'll use my racing as an opportunity to raise money for those less fortunate than I. Janus is a good way to do that. (www.januscharitychallenge.com )
- And finally: I'll enjoy my sport – the journey and the accomplishments. If I find that's not happening, I'll move on.
2007 was a banner season for me - a comeback after a lay off in 2006 due to
injuries suffered in a bike crash. How I'd return was an unknown, but I "ran
the table", winning every event I entered: two Olympic triathlons, three
70.3 events and two Ironman races, including the World Championships in
Kona, Hawaii.
To accomplish this, I followed a smart season-long training plan and used
MAP to support that plan. I put in the work and counted on MAP
to do the vital recovery work for me. This strategy took me through this
winning season 100% healthy and strong.
I'm currently enjoying the off-season and will start back in January with my
first Ironman planned in April and MAP by my side. - Cherie Gruenfeld
Articles from Cherie:
Key Workouts for a Successful Ironman Race Part I - Part II - Key Workouts for a Successful Ironman Race - Analyzing the Last Season to Have a Better Next Season - Setting the 2006 Calendar - Breaking it Down - Something for Nothing - Work + Recovery = Peak Performance - Getting Back in the Game - To Race or Not to Race? - Kona Moments - PERIODIZATION Ð MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU - New Age Group Record at IM Arizona - Critical Success Factors for a Great Ironman - The Ironman Run: It's a Mind Game - Remain a Competitive Racer - What's This Race All About - To Every Workout There is a Purpose -
My 2008 Resolutions
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Looking Forward to the Future
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How About the Kids? -
Other Kids
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Become An Ironman
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Beware the Pitfalls
To have racing success
Back to the Future
Buffalo Springs Lake 70.3
Circling the Drain
Lessons From Beijing
From the Desk Of Cherie Gruenfeld
Ironman – Now That You've Committed
It's All About the Run
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