Setting Goals

So to continue this topic about Setting Goals I decided I'd like to share more. I'm a big fan of Evan Lysacek (he is our current gold medalist 2010 Ice Skating champ). He has accomplished a lot in his life already. He is the first American male to win the gold medal in 22 years. That's huge. This is a sport that's been dominated by one Russian male for over 12 years. How did he do this? Since he was about 8 years old he has been skating, for as long as he can remember he's been wanting the gold medal around his neck. He's been working toward this for years. He trains 7 hours a day, he doesn't party and stay out late, he eats well, he gets his sleep every night, and he stays focus. When asked why did he do Dancing with the Stars, he said it was b/c he needed a new goal and structure. Also, he needed something to fill the void that he was afraid he would feel after winning the Olympics. To me that's amazing and it was so inspirational. I started thinking about how many hours do I devote to training and how can I train better and smarter. If I run or workout twice a day that's anywhere from 3-4 hours depending how far I run, ROM days give me another hour, core work.......well that's another 30 mins and I can't forget physical therapy which is another 90 mins.

But he has accomplished all this through setting goals (small ones all leading up to the Big One). As an athlete I have to set goals even if the goal is I need to attend two times a week for rehab and then do exercises on my own 2 days a week as well. But I need to keep in mind my one Big Goal as well (whatever it may be)
Setting goals will help us all be better runners, swimmers, cyclist (athletes)

Setting Goals and Helping Out

I had someone ask me today why haven't I been posting and whats up with me. I really didn't have a good answer b/c there have been several times that I thought about posting something.

Since the last time I posted I've actually been very productive. I've been going to physical therapy for my hip every week, working out at ROM with Nick, coaching track at Cox, I passed my test for my Master's Degree, and I've been thinking about my goals for my future.
I even ran a 5K for Alzheimer's (A Run to Remember).

I do better in my life when I have goals to work toward and my life is organized. I work well in a structured environment. The last couple of weeks I've struggled to make Physical Therapy and my Master's Degree my goals but I'm beginning to feel better now and I'm itching to start planning and racing. Once again this goes back to another problem I'm well known for........my lack of patience.

Whats the answer to this problem? Being true to myself. Who am I? What do I want?
I want to train and race. How to I do this? I've picked a race........Utah Half Marathon....I can't wait.

My new toy

Today I bought a trainer for my road bike. A Kinetic from Final Kick. Used it with my bike this evening and it was a lot of fun. Great ride. It wasn't running but it was fun. I need something while I'm rehabbing his hip. Yea!

A Different Goal

Setting goals is a big part of life as an athlete. It's was keeps you going. It's what makes you get up in the morning. It's what makes you lace up your running shoes and gets you out the door.
But setting goals also leads to one of my biggest human flaws.
One of my biggest personality flaws is my inability to be patient. When I want something, I want it then and now. When I set my mind to something, there is rarely anything that will stop me from reaching my goal. It's one reason I'm able to train the way I do but lately that mindset has done nothing but get me in more trouble. I've had to put the spring marathon on hold. My left leg hasn't been functioning properly for a long time but I've just kept going. I've continued training and it's finally caught up with me. Yesterday, I was no longer able to deny the fact that I have to take time to let me left hip heal and get stronger.
Last week my plantar fasciitis returned. So my solution.....multiple pairs of new shoes, orthotics, and stretching. But instead of healing, my right knee starting hurting and then the hip starting hurting and last but not least my hamstring started hurting. This is most definitely one of those times when an athlete is just down and out. What to do? I could give up but that's really not my style. So I've decided to put all my trust in Atlantic Physical Therapy again. They've fixed me before (shin splints) and I know they can do it again. But I have to stay focused and stick with the program. My first action to show my commitment, this morning when I got up I did exercises that Lucas (the PT guy) gave me. Two times a week with Lucas, two times a week at home all for 6 weeks. I just have to be patient and remember the goal.

It's just hard. This time the goal isn't a race.