best practices for planning your 2024 season
All too often, athletes plan their race season backwards. They select races first, then insert the training into their calendar and assume it will all work out. Sometimes it does – but other times they realize too late that their race plans aren’t aligned with the rest of their life. So this year, let’s flip the script on season planning. Use Coach Alison’s 4-step process and downloadable worksheet to plan your season and set yourself up for success.
what to read / watch / listen to:
Coach Alison:
Read: The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike’s Elite Running Team, by Kara Goucher. I am only about a quarter of my way through this, but it’s a story that I can’t put down. It’s well-written, and you can’t help but feel like you’re right there with Kara as she tells her story.
Watch: All The Light We Cannot See (Netflix). This 4-episode limited series is an adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and to say that it does his beautifully told story justice is an understatement.
Listen to: I Hate My Thoughts with Molly & Izzy Seidel. It took Molly (bronze medalist in the marathon at the 2020 Olympics) and her sister Izzy a few tries to get their podcast format right, but man did they nail it. Each episode is a hilarious recounting of stories from everyday runners – from the worst pre-run meals to taking a wrong turn on a race course – and a few great stories from Molly & Izzy thrown in as well.
athlete win of the month:
Coach Darbie: Caleb Coulter
I started working with Caleb just a few months ago. He came to me with big goals and a history of injury. This past month Caleb has made big strides in his training. His consistency and dedication to the plan has allowed him to build up his run, swim, bike, and strength. He has been able to incorporate moderate intensity intervals without pain which has been very exciting!! There is a long way to go but his strong mindset will get him there. I am very proud of Caleb and am impressed with his perseverance through setbacks.
what makes us better:
Coach Julie: An unplugged start to your day
Begin your day by spending the first 30 minutes without any phones or electronic devices. Upon waking, take a moment to check in with yourself and gauge how you’re feeling. Initiate your morning routine focusing solely on your personal needs: enjoy a peaceful coffee, take your dog for a walk, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the moment. After this period of undisturbed calm, you can then turn to your electronic devices to start your day.
did you know?
Coach Kristin: Visualize your goals
As you start putting together your intentions for 2024, making time to imagine yourself accomplishing your goals will give you confidence! Only 31 percent of those who don’t visualize feel confident about achieving their goals, as opposed to 59 percent of those who visualize.
random musings:
Coach Shana: Appreciate your people
Spending time with family and friends (who are non-triathletes) over the holiday this year was good for a few conversations that roughly translated to ‘you are a little crazy’…but also ‘that is inspiring’…which in a few cases became ‘I want to start (fill in the blank with a physical activity goal)’. Sound familiar?
While triathlon won’t be for everyone, finding any activity to enjoy that also promotes health is priceless. As 2023 comes to a close, I feel especially grateful that triathlon and the NYX community I share it with is a big part of my days!
meet a teammate:
Teammate: Mark Frederickson, coached by Coach Julie, resides in Fallbrook, CA with my wife (Coach) Shana and our dog Bailey (an English Cream Golden Retriever).
- Favorite race: June Lake (High Sierra race near Mammoth Lakes, CA). I love racing in the mountains. If I had to also pick a most memorable race it would have to be the Alpe d’Huez OLY – 1.5K swim in a glacier lake, ride up Alpe d’Huez, and then run a 10K mountain trail up top. It crushed me but I made it!
- Walk-out song: This is a tough one – growing up in the 60’s and 70’s, live music was a huge part of our lives. The Bay Area in the late 60’s and 70’s was filled with big outdoor concerts and I was fortunate to see … Stones, Zeppelin, Who, CSN&Y, Fleetwood Mac, the list goes on. But by far the BEST live show was the Boss – Bruce Springsteen. I’ve been fortunate to have seen him 4 times. My Walk-out song of his would be -“Land of Hope and Dreams.” It is not one of his big hits – but it exemplifies everything about him and his E Street band. Powerful song writing and immaculate musical execution and arrangement.
- 3 Words that family/friends would use to describe you: Determined, Trustworthy, and Lovingly Supportive (ok that’s actually 4)
- Worst style choice you’ve ever made: Green Suede Cowboy Boots in the 6th grade … I’ll just leave it at that.
- If you could have an unlimited supply of 1 thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? A house full of Golden Retriever puppies. Close second would be vinyl records.