Looking Ahead

Looking ahead to this coming season, I must keep my health first and foremost and try to stay injury free. I am not going to set specific goals and races, but instead generalize on how the calendar may shape up.

March/April/May

My focus in these months is going to be on getting into running and biking shape.

That means 5Ks for running, gradually increasing my speed, and with some slow long run/walks, hoping to get up to 10k.

For biking, it will be on some long slow rides. I will try to ride as much as I can at work, and also ride at home on some hills. Hopefully, I can get some longer rides in.

Swimming will be for rest days, rainy days and after dark if I haven't worked out.

There are a couple 5ks I have done before I can compare myself again. They include the Bradley International 5K, the New Britain Race in the Park, and Kate's Fun Run.

If I am making huge progress I can try theShamrock Duathlon in Glastonbury on May 23.

I will likely skip the April 3 Hartford Quarter Marathon.

June/July

Time to transition into triathlons.

The Lake Terramugus triathlons start June 3 and continue every other Thursday for the next 12 weeks.

There are some other sprints to look at it.

Also, there is the Madison Mile Swim and some 50 mile bike rides.

If I am in super shape, there are some Olympic triathlons, but that remains unlikely this early in the year.

I will try to do the Summer Solstice 5k at the West Hartford reservoir, which I have done every year I have been running.

I will likely skip the Iron Horse 10K on June 6.


August

Triathlons. There are a number of sprints and Olympics to choose from, including the Niantic Bay Sprint Triathlon on August 8 that I did my first year. For Olympics there is a flat bike in Bridgeport and a fairly flat one in Massachusetts. there is also the Litchfield Hills Triathlon on August 22, which is very hilly, but a race near to my house.

September

Depending on my condition, I can go for the half-marathon training or just relax with sprint triathlons like the Dave Parcells triathlon, 5ks, the Lake Quassy open water swim, and long bike rides.

October

If I am up for the Hartford Half marathon that would be great, otherwise, just ride bike and do 5Ks.

If I do the half marathon, I will take a long rest from running.

Again, I am just going to take it as I go.