Showing posts with label a-races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label a-races. Show all posts

Monday, May 28, 2012

Monday Is The Day To Draw Up The Lists

To list, or not to list – that is the question.

Lists are points of attention, or contention. If you write a Pros/Cons list, you are weighing the benefits/risks or advantages/disadvantages. It gives us a balance sheet of how we can audit our lives for actions to take. As written some time ago, you can design lists for ‘To-Do’, Traveling list, or a Bucket List. Most of our lists revolve around things/tasks to do. We merely tick off (de-list) upon completion of each challenge or mundane activity. Whatever remains on our lists should be completed or we invite procrastination. You can draw lists as a mind map, or a traditional left/right column listing. Just remember to activate it with a dateline and priority of action. As endurance athletes, we also draw up a list of the races we would like to do, then assign a ranking of ‘A-race’ for the most important ones, and regress with a ‘B’ and ‘C’ rating.

Our organised lives revolve around lists, and this is unavoidable. This article from the Harvard Business Review suggests designing two lists to help you operate in your landscape of your lifestyle
*****
I ran hard home for the last three kilometres. Reckon I should buy this photograph? It seems to show off my white-hair well. (Credit: Marathon-Photos.com)
On another note, the official results of my Saturday past-midnight race can best be described in pictures. As my Coach, ‘Fox’ predicted I did earn a sub-1 hour 40 minutes completion time. In fact, my timing for the 10K mark was slightly faster than my tempo run with Fox the day before the race. Despite running on slightly ‘spent’ legs, I was still fit enough to do my trial run/speed training within 30 hours of recovery, and bag a top-1 percent ranking. I assure you that my thighs are now noticeably sore; a remindful testament to Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), or the badge of honour of racing hard. A few more long runs, and tempo sets should give me the legs I need for Ironman Switzerland in July (second and last Ironman on my 2012 list). Dr Kua Harn Wei has offered to guide me through to a 3:50 marathon in Zurich, although I will need to be holistic in my approach within the next six weeks. I was dressed in my two-piece, triathlon race-attire as I always simulate racing in Ironman conditions. Thankfully, this reliable set yielded minimal abrasions.
Charted results of my Sundown Marathon performance.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Locking In the New Goals of The Season

Racing season has begun!

Looking at the local calendar, there is almost a race every weekend that makes for a confusion of choices for some. I know of friends who have raced, continuously, for weeks without much chance for their bodies to fully recover. Recovery is a crucial part of continued high performance, and if you wish to attain your sporting goals you will need to pick your races cleverly and clearly. Bludgeoning your body with mind-over-matter strategies may inch you towards your goals, yet they may wear you down into a sorry state, eventually.

Take a few minutes to list down races that interest you in the next nine months. Identify existing races that you enjoy, and factor in new ones that interest or intrigue you. You could consider off-the-beaten-track races that challenge other aspects of your fitness. If you are a pure runner, you may consider a biathlon, or an off-road race. If you are a swimmer, aim for a long-distance, open-water challenge (Kapas-Marang Swim, Malaysia).

If your budget allows, select an international race or a popular race within the region. If you are a marathoner, you could apply and qualify for the Big Five Marathon (Berlin, London, New York, Boston). If you are a triathlete, you could aim for an Ironman triathlon in Australia or New Zealand (IMWA, IMNZ). There are a significant number of inexpensive entry-level and demanding triathlons in Malaysia hosted regularly in Malaysia.

Once you have selected your races, prioritise them into A-races (key races) and new races. Lock these in onto your training journal or blog, and begin to visualize how you would train for each one. Focus on the results that you would like to attain: completion, personal best (PB) time, or pre-race trial. Work with the experts (if you need guidance), and stick to a plan of action. Each race is different, and a coach may help you to integrate your goals around your lifestyle. That way, you can train and race with a purpose, and stay motivated and passionate without risking fatigue and boredom. Race to place!