10/12/10

Goal: AM short run (to test legs), PM run (maybe)

Diet: yogurt, atkins bar, salad, ziti, 2 slices of pizza (way too many carbs, but a completely unhealthy day)

Thoughts: Today has been another of those days when my focus is off. Well, I have great focus just not at what my official duties. Most of my day has been filled with thoughts and googling triathlon and running coaches.

I was first approached by a company for coaching a few months ago. I say approached by them because I emailed them when I was researching my local Tri clubs I also emailed them because of a intro program they offered. They informed me they stopped that program for lack of interest and let me know about there other training options. They charge $400 per 12 week calendar for there most basic option plan. This plan involves 0 one on one contact. I also looked at other local running and tri coaches, as well Mark Allen Online with similar prices (some lightly less and some MUCH more).

I am sure that a plan is important, but given budget constraints I would rather use a BT free plan and have face to face interaction with a coach. Plans can not correct technique.

The best I have found are 5 private swim lessons for $125 and 5 private 1 hour running coaching sessions for $175 (from separate sources). These both seem pretty fair.

I was able to find coaches for those two areas and one that might work for an all around tri coach later. Before I look for tri specific coach or bike coach I think a new bike should be priority as my current one is no longer road worthy per the mechanic. Once I have a new bike, a new trainer, and a few spinerval disks, we'll see if I need the coach. No one these will get me a fancy team singlet with  some pro's name on it but I am ok with that.

On top of all this for the last month I have been brainstorming an idea that I think is GREAT. However, I am not sure how to put it in place because it would take a lot of organization and marketing. I am hoping to write about it tomorrow and maybe get some feedback from yous guys. (I've been taking teasing lessons from Adam )

I have been setting some goals for where i would like my performance next season. I started to use the local race at the Statesville Y as my bench mark. It's the Y I am a member of and there bike course is the one i ride for my regular ride (not my group ride), it is also part of the series I want to compete in next year.

I began doing this and when I looked at their times I realized that my times on their course (my neighborhood) would have put me at first place in the clydesdales and 2nd or 3rd in the 25-29 Ag had I competed this year. A sample of their results are below, the bold is the times I can beat-

Place Bib NAME CITY/STATE Rank SWIM T1 Rank BIKE T2 Rank RUN PENALTY Time DQ


1. 45 REMI DELILLE RALEIGH NC 1 5:18 0:59 2 34:39 0:43 1 21:33 1:03:10
2. 51 GLENN CARROLL CHARLOTTE NC 2 5:54 0:46 1 0:00 1:07:35
3. 106 KAJ JOHNSON ASHEVILLE NC 3 8:17 2:08 3 44:29 0:32 2 22:42 1:18:06
4. 43 CHRISTOPHER CLARK CONCORD NC 4 11:00 1:51 4 52:59 1:24 3 33:01 1:40:13

This made me feel pretty good about how I am coming along. For next year (or how ever long it takes me to get there) my goals are as follow:
Swim: 300m 5 minutes, 1.2 mile sub 30 minutes, and a 1:30 - 1:40 100m pace I can sustain for an hour.
Bike: Local Tri loop in 35 and hopefully be able to do 10 miles in 30 minutes, 25 minutes if flat
Run: 5k in 24 and then down to 22 (hopefully 21). 10k around 45, 13.1 under 2 hours, then 1:45, then 1:30.

Long term goals:

Finish a Half Marathon
Finish a Marathon (BQ after that)
Finish an Ultra
Finish a Century Ride
Complete a Half Ironman
Complete an Ironman

I am sure these will evolve over time, but these are the goals I have been thinking about lately.