Race Schedule 2016

2014 was about seeing if multisport was for me.
2015 was about seeing what I could do if I trained for it.
2016 is about seeing what I can really do with more serious training, with a key goal in mind.

After my first attempt at multisport in 2014, I came up with a 3 year timeline for trying to achieve something in triathlon. I just figured that it was reasonable to work my way up from being able to complete in 2015, being able to compete in 2016, and trying to take it to the next level in 2017. Whether that meant taking a run at Nationals (and thus qualifying for Worlds) at the Olympic distance, or tackling the 70.3 distance, I wasn't sure. But I figured the right path would become clear over the course of the next two years.

This year I've found it very challenging to get the training volume I want in for Olympic distance training. And I really do like going fast. So it's been becoming pretty clear that for now, the short course stuff is right for me. I could probably complete a 70.3 with my current training volume, but I don't think I'd be all that competitive. And I've found that the competitive aspect is really motivating for me. So my focus is going to be getting faster at the Olympic distance, which means the goal is making a run at Nationals.

My 3 year plan put this target in 2017. However, this year (and next year) Nationals are in Ottawa. So it really doesn't make sense to miss this opportunity to participate in this event when it's so close to home. In a way, this means my timeline has just accelerated significantly - what I hoped to do in 2017 I'm going to be attempting in 2016. Another way to look at it, though, is to think of this year as a trial run. I'll get the experience of the event and the course so that next year I'll be well prepared to really perform. But make no mistake - I'll be there to race, and I'm aiming to qualify for Worlds. It remains to be seen whether I'll actually go to Worlds should I qualify (the logistics of taking time off work, the expense of travel and racing), but the achievement itself would be a great milestone for me.

Leading up to that race I have a couple of sprints planned, both of which I did last year. They should serve as a great way to assess how far I've progressed from 2015, and will also give me some good race-specific prep for the big race in July. I'd also like to do the Thousand Islands race again, as an "unfinished business" sort of race. Coming off the bike in 3rd last year and then imploding on the run left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, so I'd love a shot to redeem myself there.

So the season begins in about a month at my "hometown" race in Perth. That's where I'll really get a solid idea of what I've been able to accomplish in the offseason.

New Shoes Part 3

The followup at Solefit didn't end up happening. A busy schedule and the 45 minute drive made it impossible to get in within the 2 week time period I had to test the shoes from Sports4.

In the end it wasn't really a problem. The Fastwitch was the clear winner. I couldn't really imagine going with the Mizunos - they just didn't fit as comfortably, and the stiff sole felt unnatural. In contrast, the Saucony's had a much more natural feel. Decent amount of flex in the sole, wide toe box - an overall more pleasant running experience.

I've been running outside in them, on the road and at the track, and still mixing in some treadmill work as I slowly transition into running outside (I did this too quick last year and it resulted in some injuries). So far so good. I'm also being more attentive to my running gait and wearing CorrectToes, and my toe pain is mostly gone. Hard to say if any one factor is more at play there but it''s reasonable to assume it's a combination of the three.

Once my transition to running outside is complete I'll be starting into some speedwork, so that will be another test.