Just because my off season came earlier than planned and just because it is my off season from marathons, doesn’t mean I don’t have goals to go with it.
As always writing my goals down for me to look back on is always a good way to keep myself accountable and help myself achieve them.
They might be simple and they might be obvious, but I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do with this time to make the most out of it and these are the things I have come up with that are important to me.
Run
It may seem like a simple obvious goal, but just because it’s the off season doesn’t mean that I won’t be running! I would like to keep my weekly mileage around 40 miles a week at the minimum (more if I am having a good week), while keeping a long run in the double digits whenever possible. If I feel like running fast I will run fast sometimes, but most of all I just want to be running whatever I feel like for that day.
Cross-train
This actually will be the most challenging thing for me, but I really want to incorporate some non-running activities into my weekly schedule. Whether it’s spinning, cycling, TRXing (is that a verb?) or going to yoga (!!), I want to do at least 2 non-running activities a week. The more I can fit in the better and I am set up very well for this with my new job, so there are no excuses.
Race
Just because I may not be in PR shape doesn’t mean I shouldn’t go out there and see what my legs have in them. I want to get back into the spirit of racing, doing some for fun and doing some to push myself to my best for that day. I don’t want to be afraid anymore. I want to run some shorter races and different distances and just have fun enjoying the race atmosphere that I have lost this year.
Get Dirty
With all of these goals, specifically the running and racing ones, I want to run a lot of trails. I want to do more trail races and I want to get out on the trails twice a week or more if I can. They make me happy, they keep my running interesting and it’s just something I really want to do.
Have Fun
The most important goal, I want to have fun with my running. I want to run with friends, in fun places, and just truly enjoy the art of running. I want to always want to go running and always have a smile on my face during.
Do you have an off season in your running plan?
Do you set goals during that time?
because it’s so hot in TX my running off season is typically late spring until late fall. it’s just too hot to put in high mileage which stinks because i miss out on most fall marathons. the bonus is it allows me to reset and also to focus on triathlons during that time. my goals this year have been to actually hit the weights at least twice a week. while i haven’t managed that, i have managed once a week which is better than i was before. i’m also focusing more on core which i think will help my overall fitness and injury prevention.
enjoy the “downtime”
Great goals! I probably don’t take as much of an “off-season” as I should and there is not really enough time to have goals for it, but last year for a month or so when I took it easy I just tried to run a couple of times a week to keep my fitness from completely going away.
i love all the goals that you set for the off season. i totally needed these kinds of goals over the last six months. it would have helped me tremendously. i also need to get busy making running friends here in my new digs. thanks for the inspiration!
I LIKE it! I LIKE it ALL! Just what you need to be doing right now…during your “off” season…oh my how times have changed.
trail races = SUPER DUPER FUN. enjoy
those sound like great goals. i’m trying to cross-train more, have fun, etc. right now too.
Your offseason plans sound like a good one to me. You should do more of those college football spin Saturdays, or you could even do it on Sunday to pro football if you have a team you like, haha
Historically my running usually starts to taper down when it gets darker out, so I hit the gym more and do more cross training workouts.
After Portland one of my goals is to place 1st in my age group in a 5k before I turn 30 next June. Loftier would be to do it in a 10k, just have to find the right race for it.
Also I just want to have some fun exploring trails around here.
good goals aron!
my goals… hmm, well i told myself to decide by sunday if i am going to sign up for CIM or not. i kind of want to, but i have also been SO stressed out lately that it might make it worse. so as of sunday hopefully i have some goals either way.
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training!!!!
Would it be selfish if I said one of your goals should be “hang out more with Page and Kristin?” Hahahaha
Love these goals!
I LOVE that all of this is geared around having fun and doing what you WANT to do. Live it up!!!!
as usual, you have great goals
i’d say mine is to swim more. now that i have a pool, i’m pysched about doing something that is easier on my joints and provides a great workout.
LOVE your goals! I think making goals this time of the year is SOOOO important. I just put up a goals page too… http://cueyourlife.com/2011goals/
Have a great weekend!
Sounds like it’s going to be a fun off season! Regular cycling and even swimming will help give you a real balanced attack the next time you try a run build for a big race. Get all the help you can from the bike now.
My last real race of the season (most likely) is Sunday- so I’ve been thinking about the off season as well. Goal number one will be to HAVE FUN. And do more yoga. My body hurts from the lack of yoga these past few months.
Your goals sound great and I think they may be very similar to mine. Minus the trail running- can’t do that in the winter here.
i love your off season goals! i took an intro class at the trx training center and it was awesome. if you’re ever interested in taking a class there, let me know!