2015 Forecast

My last post was a summary of 2014. Basically, 2014 was the year of trying to do everything but not doing anything well. I had 3 different job functions throughout the year (usually overlapping); started living with my boyfriend and his cat; continued faithful attendance at Atomic (3x a week most weeks); and raced a full ironman, 2 halfs, and a bunch of shorter races.

So therein lies my 2015 goal - FOCUS. 2015 also happens to be my tenth year in triathlon and my last year in the 25-29 age group. It is also the first year in a 6-year goal to make it back to Kona by 2020. I could probably write my life story and how I grew as a person in those 10 years, but that's for another post.

To commemorate 2015, I bought a new Cervelo P3 in November and hired a new coach, Scott DeFilippis. My old tri bike was from 2009 and there have been numerous aero improvements in the years since. I also haven't been coached 1:1 since 2012 when I was training for IMLou. Thus, I figured a good way to get myself back on track was to go back to 1:1 coaching to get me a bit more focused (pot committed and personal responsibility motivations).

I'm also planning to cut back to 2, maybe 3 once in awhile, sessions at Atomic. Their 16-week strength cycle based on Juggernaut just ended, and think I made some structural gains that will help prevent injury this coming season. Also, my shoulder hates bench press.

The races I have lined up for 2015 so far are:

• 3M Half Marathon (Jan 25)
• Austin Half Marathon (Feb 15)
• Burnet Tri Olympic (Apr 12)
• Challenge Knoxville Half (May 17)

The second half of the season is still up in the air. Probably Redman Half in OKC in September since it is USAT Long Course Nationals and a qualifer for Worlds 2016... also in OKC. 

There is also Jocelyn's wedding in September to be planned and attended. That's my biggest non-triathlon event so far. 

My other 2015 goal to work on is to eat more carbs. In non-sugar form. This will always be a work in progress; I've been a disordered eater since I was 16 and old habits die hard. Pump and Shred in 2013 taught me the importance of protein and this past year I've been reading a lot more on carbs and trying to get it through my brain that carbs will enhance my performance and not just make me fat. So as in 2014 where I structured my meals around a protein source, I will go into 2015 still making sure to get adequate protein while also putting an emphasis on eating carbs around workouts and during workouts - anything to help optimize performance on the road, in the water, and at the gym.