I’ve never been big on setting new years resolutions, so I can’t say that the approaches i’ve taken towards things in the new year are actually resolutions or if they are just me changing the way I think based on experience (i guess it really doesn’t matter one way for another). Naturally, the first real “goal” for 2011 is to complete a triathlon, which as i wrote last week, i’ve committed to already by registering for one in May. But some other things I’ve decided to focus on this year are:

1. Don’t overdo it with endurance races this year. This was a problem I made for myself in 2010 by scheduling 6 marathons, which was just way too much when I look back. I enjoyed all of them, but was just totally burnt out from running by the last one in November. I actually haven’t gotten that “buzz” back yet for running long miles but am really enjoying the time off from it. It was so bad that I didn’t even want to run anymore at the end of October, I had to literally push myself to get out the door, and it shouldn’t be like that. I do plan to push myself with a longer triathlon distance depending on how I do on my first one, but I have to take it a step at a time (which is another thing I learned in 2010).
2. Take time to spend with my family. This goes in hand with number 1 somewhat because I spent so much time training last year for marathon after marathon. I found that the time when I was not working but at home was spent either sleeping or slouching around the house being sore and tired from running, and not doing anything useful. My family deserves better than that and although they’ve always supported me in whatever madness I decide to cause for myself, it does effect them.
3. Give back to the running community. I’ve always been so selfish year and year that I never took time to volunteer at races I wasn’t running to help those who have helped me. Sometimes we forget all the time and work that goes into running a race, so i want to give back and help out where I can. Since my primary focus is not on running this year, i think I can do that.

I certainly think that everything above is achievable, if I put my mind to it, which I will.

As for the weeks wrap-up, one good thing is that the holidays are now behind us, which means I can seriously focus on wrapping up the base and conditioning part of my training. I’m feeling stronger and the workouts are getting easier, but I am doing many of them inside and as I found out when I ran 9.5 miles outside yesterday, indoor and outdoor training are two different things. I built out my 16-week training plan to include the circuit training i’ve been doing along with 3 runs, 3 bikes and 3 swims with strength training. The good part is that the distances (or times spent) on each workout are not crazy, they’re very workable.

The continuing highlights of my workouts are the swim portion of the base training. I’ve really got a good form down and can feel myself get into a pace now when swimming. I pushed the continuous distance up to 500m today .. which is amazing since just 7 weeks ago I was struggling doing just 100m, so its good progress.

As I mentioned though, I got outside in the nicer temperatures to get 9.5 miles in running … it was still a little cool, but getting outside was nice after the COLD December we just came out of. Its funny how fast you lose your running legs when you’re not doing it consistently anymore. I’ve been averaging 15-20 miles a week at the most over the last month.

So what are your new years resolutions? Hopefully they are realistic and you’ll stick to them because I know i’ll stick to mine …