Wondering

On my journey into fitness I have set some goals for myself in order to keep interested and involved. This has been very helpful to me. It has kept me swimming, running and cycling all year round for almost 3 years now. It has kept me looking for new ways to keep fit while improving my endurance and strength. This has lead to time in the gym, the yoga studio, a new training facility, work with coaches and professionals and time at the doctor, the chiropractor and massage therapist. 

I have been sure to keep my goals progressive but also attainable. I have wanted to make strides and know that I was training to move forward and to become better.  I have also wanted to keep the goals measurable and achievable so that I did not try to go too hard, too fast, too soon and cause myself pain or injury. But I wonder; is it time to up the ante? Am I starting to get too comfortable? The other too that causes as much trouble some times as any of the other toos.

In the beginning I told my brother that I had no desire to run or train to run further than 10km as I was only going to compete in races at or under that distance for a long time.  I eventually learned that my running wasn't getting any faster or better without pushing myself and setting new goals. I trained for the Around the Bay race last year and completed my first 1/2 marathon clinic. I liked it and I did get better and stronger.  I have now completed 3 of these 1/2 marathon clinics and am entered in my second ATB race. This year I hope that illness keeps far away and I have a great race. But that is besides the point.

All of this running business started as a secondary, or after thought or purpose. You see I discovered that I really like triathlon and that if I was going to do more, I would have to learn to be a better runner. I was going to have to become a runner was more like it. Well, I think that after some 26 running races/events under my belt and countless miles/km on my feet, I can safely say that I am a runner. But have I accomplished what I want to in the sport of triathlon?

My goals, since I defined them have been to finish all triathlon distances; Try-a-tri, sprint, Olympic, half and full ironman.  This plan calls for me to complete the Olympic distance this year (registered for the July race in Sarnia), the half next year, and the ironman distance in 2014 a full 5 years since beginning my journey.  But now I have stumbled upon a road block and I am not sure how I want to remove it.  This has got me thinking hard about changing up the goals.

If I wait another 2 years before attempting the ironman distance this leaves me with 2 more years of running the same races at the same distances and capping at 1/2 marathons or ATB for this year and next.  I wonder, will my drive and motivation be the same? Will I continue with the same dedication and commitment that I have put forth so far? How should I adapt? Should I hire more coaches and be more competitive at the shorter distances while I effectively wait for 2014? Or......gulp.......should I change the plan and forget about the nice round number of 5 years, the quest to meet the challenge of all distances, and just attempt the full iron in 2013?

My head is reeling with possibilities and scenarios. I go back and forth so often I feel like I am watching a tennis match.

Regardless of the decision I make, there is plenty of time to make and remake it I am sure. Is this really the best way to spend my time right now?  I think I really need to get focused on my races for this year, most notably ATB in 3 weeks time. 

So for now I guess I am content to ponder and keep working toward what is directly ahead of me.  Off for a swim I go........