Prepping for the 2021 Season

After a botched 2020 race season and an injury that prevented me from running, that almost caused surgery; I needed to prepare for the 2021 season with a different view. Here are some of the things I was facing:

  1. I knew I had a lot of personal things to tackle

  2. I wasn’t in the same shape I was in at this time last year

    but I WANTED to race and be active - that was non-negotiable!

So, the question was, how do I fit everything in? (Yeah, it’s a struggle that everyone faces, but I was determined.)

I always work from home - that’s not new; but the kids are home a lot more, and are much needier now. I love them, but do I love them THAT much. (Of course I do, but I need my time away too - like most parents.)


Game Plan

  1. Decide on goals

  2. Decide on races

  3. Make sure my coach and me are on the same game plan and decide on how to make everything a reality


2021 Goals

(some of them)

  1. Work on my endurance in swimming, biking, and running, while remembering that my current level of athleticism is not where it was a year ago at this present time - but it will be - and I will work to surpass that level, safely - as long as I follow the coach's instructions

    1. I will work up to where I was, while being kind and patient with myself

    2. I will not compete with others who are more athletic than me or even compete myself with where I was a year ago

  2. Strength training, yoga, and PT are essential to proper and enhanced performance, as well injury prevention.

    1. Complete 15 minutes of yoga daily

    2. Strength train as the coach instructs

    3. PT, as was previously prescribed - hips, feet, and glutes in particular

  3. At the end of February, 2021 go back to the PT and get a running analysis performed again to ensure my gait and body are aligned while running. Do this again at least two more times during the 2021 year to make sure my body is working correctly. Show coach the results so she is aware as well.

  4. Prepare for at least 5 triathlons for the summer season. That means working on each discipline individually, as well as working in them in a back-to-back situation. It also means working on transitions, open water swimming, practicing getting in and out of a wetsuit, nutrition on the bike and on the run, etc. (That means time on the roads, not just on the trainer!)

Smaller Goals

  • I compiled a self-assesment that I will perform every two months to see how I feel about what I’m doing, and where I’ve come in that time frame

  • I won’t list my smaller goals that are weekly or monthly that help me to stay motivated and disciplined while I train; I do this:

    • For something to strive towards during training and races

    • To see if I can achieve what I want

    • To see if I need to reassess where I am in a realistic time-frame

    • To see if I’m not pushing myself hard enough while I’m training


My Coach and Me

Yes, we agreed that this was a good game plan. Because:

  • I need to avoid injury

  • I need to focus on gaining speed and endurance

  • I am being realistic about my personal life and what I can handle with my athletic life

This will be a good race season.

 
 
 
 
racesGwen Myslinski2021, races, goals, 2021 race season, plan