Planning for Beyond

I'm working on my 2010 Race Schedule (see new sidebar). So far I'm looking at starting the new year off with a Jan 1 5k or 10k.

Then it's on to the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. Cole and I have run this race together the last couple years. Last time the theme was to "Beat Krieks" and we made that goal. We have to make a goal for this race.

Next up will be the Rockman Half Iron Distance Tri. Last time this was a practice event to get in anther race at this distance prior to IMWI. This time this may be "A" race.

Later in June will be a local sprint tri. In 2008 this was my first triathlon. That seems so long ago now. I'm anxious to get back to this race and see my improvement.

July is a return to WIBA. Yes, this is not a race, but a weekend of hanging out with a great group of fellow triathletes is noteworthy.

August brings the Chicago Triathlon. At Cole's urging, I'm considering the Triple Challenge. That is a sprint tri on Saturday. On Sunday you go off in the first wave of the Chicago Triathlon Sprint distance race and finish in time to start with one of the last waves of the Olympic distance race (so a back-to-back Sprint-Oly race).

Lastly, it will be time to focus on the running for another lap round the city in the Chicago Marathon.

I'm sure I'll put some more 5k's and 10k's on the calendar (and hopefully some open water swim races too), but that is all I have for now.

I'm also considering joining a triathlon team or engaging a coach for the 2010 season. My training to date has relied on self-coaching, online training plans, and using the great resources of friends and local contacts. If anyone who reads this has ideas or suggestions, I'm all ears.