Amazing Athlete Goals for 2011

Ha! I figured I'd follow up my Goals for the Week process with what I've semi-sorted out as my Athlete Goals for 2011. This year feels like a more latent one in a physical sense for me. And that's a-ok. Last year I had so much built up around physical training and performing for my first Half Ironman distance (Vineman). And it took a lot outta me mentally. And I got physically injured along the way. But I carried on and surpassed my HIM goal time. So, I'm not complaining, but I think this year I'm gonna ride the wave of all I invested in and gained physically, and focus on a few mental concepts.  


So with that frame of mind, here's what I have on my notepad for 2011:


1. Improve mental confidence 
2. Create an awesome balance between training and life
3. Be pro-active in being injury free


Now..I do have a time/performance ideas too, like a sub 20min 5k, a PR half marathon and a PR Half Ironman Race, but it's too early in the game to have numbers for those. And frankly, what I want to focus most on is improve that good ol' mental confidence and creating a balance with training and life. I feel I got the physical and bio mechancial aspects better understood from all my training last year. Now, it's the other half that needs tending. And I'm excited for that focus.


Now tag- You're it. What are YOUR Athlete goals for 2011? Are they more physical or mental- or an even combo of both? Talk to me, talk to me!

Comments

Aimee said…
I love your goal #1. That is something I need to work on too!
Leah F said…
Those sound like great athlete goals, and I'm sure once you've hit those than any time goals you decide on will be easy to achieve.

Along with working on staying injury-free, and various TBD time goals, I'm really going to work on keeping the mental drive I had with a coach. Now that I'm coach-free I need to be accountable to just myself, so no letting myself slack off!
AM! said…
Leah- totally hear you! yes, i too will be coach free and that is a definite goal for me as well- being accountable to just myself and not slacking. We'll keep each other accountable...how bout that;-)
Teamarcia said…
Great goals as always AM!
My goals this year involve some race times but also breaking out of my comfort zone and doing a little something on the bike.
Anne-Marie said…
Great goals! I like #3 - ditto that for me.

I will definitely have time-specific goals, but like you said, it's too early right now to pin those down, though I do have some ballpark ideas. One non-time-oriented goal is to qualify for AG Nats again though :)
heather said…
Happy New Year!

I'm with you on the mental confidence and the balance thing. I'm so striving for balance in many areas of my life.

My main focus in the athlete dept. is to just get GET GOING again. I have a goal and am working on a plan. Maybe I should have asked Santa for a swift kick in the rear!
Laura said…
I have time goals but I know that mine will come when I conquer my mental training issues. I have 1 workout a week where I have to try to just keep pushing at a threshold pace. Fun!....
Anonymous said…
Great goals! I've not decided on my goals for 2011 just yet. But I did "borrow" your idea on writing down goals for the week and sticking them in my planner and it's working great for me! Thanks!
Maggs said…
great goals. Mine is to get to the start line of IM Louisville motivated and injury free!
Unknown said…
Mental goals as athletes, those are huge for my husband and I right now! We've made some interesting changes in this area and I can't wait to see what happens. The time goals are up in the air for me, too!
Balance!
Hmmm. Great questions and great goals. I think mine are more physical but mental always plays a part. I think I'm finally at a place in my life where I feel emotionally and mentally right on. I'm excited to see if this will help with my physical performance. I have not run a 5k since college. I never have broken 20 minutes. Always right there but never could push past that point. I might try a 5k this year for the first time in many years. I'd love to break 20 minutes. I'd like to break 1:30 in the half ...if not this year then in the next couple years. And I'd love to run a 3:15ish marathon. Putting these goals out there really scares me but I think it is a good thing. easy to get scared of failure though. Good luck with your goals! I'm so glad I have your blog to read...makes me want to be a better me in so many ways.
Those are good goals. Here's to an injury-free 2011!

My athlete goal right now is to work out every week.
Anonymous said…
Great goals!
I am still working on mine!
I need to improve my mental state as well. I need to improve my inner competitor thoughts!
I need to learn how to "PUSH IT" during practice when it gets uncomfortable...get outta my box!
Jennifer said…
Excellent goals for 2011! I'll be posting mine very shortly. Good luck in the coming year, may your feet be swift and your races fast!
Sherri said…
You inspire me!!!!
Christi said…
Great goals. Everytime I read your blog I am reminded of my own goals and that keeps me motivated on them. Thanks!
Samantha G said…
Wow, very inspirational goals. This year I signed up for 2 races so far, a 10 miler and a half marathon. The furthest I've ever run is about 6 miles, so for me my goals are just distance oriented rather than time. Speed will come (I think) but right now I'm focusing on building up the distance very gradually and, like you, being proactive about injury. I've got arthritis and if I ramp up my miles too quickly it acts up- but if I build up more slowly I have no issues with it.

Happy 2011! :)
Clair said…
Great goals! Mine are mostly about staying healthy and injury free, but I'm hoping that once my foot is healed some PR goals will follow.
JC said…
Happy New Year!
Those are some great goals you've got.
Find that "BALANCE" that is so hard to find and when you do, please drop me an email and spill the secret:)))
Jill said…
My goal is to get the heel to cooperate so I can run like I did in 2009! :)

Happy weekend!
Unknown said…
NUMBER 1: HAVE FUN!
Number 2: enjoy the process!
Number 3: go further than I've gone before.
Anonymous said…
Your #1 goal I think is the key to anyone training for a new distance... it's what I tell my friends that are working towards their first half marathon... if you believe you can do the distance, usually you can. The training just makes it less painful! ;-)
*Be Healthy!

*Run/Swim/Yoga/Lift/other because I LOVE it!

*Let go and just do it.. allow runs/swims just for "go as far as I can...there are provisions in the car" days- forget how cold/hot/humid/other it may be.. just do it!

*Be grateful for each moment that I have of health adn growth!

*Learn and reflect...dig deeper!

*Time goals- ah... really, not sure I've ever had 'em.. okay, I do.. break 44 on the double loop- yeah, there's one. :-) The rest are se-cret :-)
Runnin' Momma said…
Great Goals for 2011!!!

I like that you just put to PR in your races, I too would really like to PR in a 5K, Half, and a full marathon. For the 5K, I really do not have a specific time. I have run a sub-20 a while ago, but not since having my two kids, but primarily because I feel like 5Ks are a huge waste of money...$25.00 to run 3 miles?!?! so, I have a hard time signing up to run a 5K. Maybe this year I will suck it up and pay the fee.

But, great goals!

~Katie
Tortuga_Runner said…
Confidence is definitely on the list. I am also working on speed, but will have more clearly defined PR goals after I get going for the year. Great blog!
Unknown said…
its all about metnal confidence, isn't it? Thats a goal I am always working on too!
LC
Improving mental confidence is so important! We all need that goal :)
XLMIC said…
I'd like to run the Bay to Breakers in one hour. A tall order given where I am now, but not impossible :)

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