What's next...

With the holiday in my rear view, "cleansing" commenced, schedules being ironed out, I sit here trying to plan my "what's next" for athletic endeavours for 2011.

2010 was an amazing year for new athletic feats for me. I learnt how to road ride, competed in the Oliver Half Ironman (my first triathlon EVER), ran my second  marathon, it was a successful year. And now, with nothing set in the near future, I am feeling competition withdrawal. I need to set some goals!

You see, I began to really like this competitive side of things when I was pregnant for the first time with our son, Kai. My dad offered out a trip to New York if my husband or I ran the marathon...and so, once Kai was born, I started running. My first marathon and my first taste of competition (since my high school days of track and dance). And then, there was pregnancy number two, Sienna. While pregnant, I decided I was going to do the Oliver Half Ironman...never having done a tri before I figured, why not: go big or go home, right!?

And now, NO I AM NOT PREGNANT AGAIN, I would like to set some goals for 2011 and see where my athletic endeavors can take me this year.

Some things I am throwing around, but haven't yet committed to are:

The Dirty Duo Ultra Trail Run, Vancouver BMO Marathon, Oliver Half Ironman, The Ride to Conquer Cancer, Gran Fondo and the NYC Marathon. Yes a feat to carry out all considering I have a family at home AND that fact that they all cost money to enter. So I am trying to decide out of all these thoughts floating in my mind at the moment, which ones would give me the greatest satisfaction in not only completing but in training for.

Any of you out there have advice on you past races that you would like to pass on? Why was it your best and why should I do it!?

I have this problem when it comes with exercise. I truly love to workout, but HATE doing it if I don't have something to work towards. I feel like I am just running in a circle or pushing weights up and down just because; and then...it gets boring. My advice to those bored with their set routines, or starting fitness as their New Years Resolution, set a goal. Whether it is to walk a 5k or complete an Ironman, it does not matter, just set something!  When there is an end goal in sight your mind seems to work on an entirely different level (well, mine does at least!) ; and the best part about it all, is the way you feel when you cross that finish line.  A true high, like you can conquer just about anything!

On that note...maybe I should make The Ride to Conquer Cancer a must for this year. Anyone in??

One last note: my experience has been that when you have people to train with, it makes the journey to the end more exciting and memorable.

"Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes." ~unknown

"Arriving at one goal is the starting point of another."~John Dewey

"It is not so much our friends' help that helps us, as the confidence of their help."~ Epicurious