Gotta Have Goals

People always ask why I do these crazy endurance events, and I don't really have a good answer.

I like to say that I do them because I can. "Because if someone told you that you couldn't....wouldn't you want to?" That's what gets me out the door for runs sometimes....thinking that if for some reason I wasn't able to run again, wouldn't I want to have that feeling one more time. I know, kinda depressing....but it works.

The truth is, I'm not really all that motivated about working out. So I do these crazy-big events because I HAVE to. Because if I put a 5k on my calendar as a goal I would know that I could slack on the workouts and still slog my way through it. If I didn't HAVE to go to the gym, I'd probably find a million reasons not to.

But when you pay $195 and drop a Half Ironman entry onto your calendar...well, things start getting real.

Workouts are no longer optional, they are mandatory. I didn't pay $195 (plus airfare and other travel expenses) to DNF. I paid to finish.

This year's big goal is to finish the Lake Stevens Ironman 70.3 in less time than last years Ironman 70.3.

Last year's race was a disaster....I can give my 101 reasons a half ironman shouldn't be your first race of the season AND your first triathlon ever some other time.....so I'm not setting the bar very high.

But in addition to the big goal, I've got a few mini-goals leading up to the big event.

So here's the little list that will be running my life for the next six or seven months:
--Madison Half Marathon (finish in under 2 hours)
--Verona Triterium Olympic Distance (not lose Laura after she passes me on the bike)
--Lake Stevens 70.3 (just a good solid race, negative splits on the run would be nice)