Blog

2008 Annual Summary

Looking Back on 2008

As I’ve made very clear since the first time my knee started bothering me last March, 2008 didn’t turn out as I’d hoped. I didn’t train or race as much as I planned – or as much as I would have liked. Between my knee and hip/back pain, it was a trying year physically and psychologically. I dropped out of two of my five scheduled races (Boston and the JFK 50) and didn’t finish the Harriman Half Ironman. I went through relatively long periods of struggles to get motivated and really missed the training. But I did keep at it and can say that I did just about everything I could to safely keep myself in the game. And the year did have some highlights, with a huge race at Ironman USA and a great result at SOS. Even though I felt like I came into both races somewhat underprepared, I had a ton of fun at each and really surprised myself with my results. It’s funny: compared to almost any year of my life, 2008 was a year of great accomplishments. The problem is that I can’t help but compare 2008 to 2007, and think about the 2008 goals that I set for myself in December 2007. I know I have to keep that in perspective…

2008 Training/Racing totals:
Swim: 232,840 yards (132.3 miles or 9,313 lengths in the 25 yard pool)
Cycling (Outdoor): 1,874.4 miles
Cycling (Indoor): 87:38 hours
Run: 639.32 miles
Strength Training/Yoga: 87 sessions
Approximate total training time: 429 hours

Looking ahead to 2009

Last year I charged into January with a full slate of races scheduled for both 2008 and 2009. This year, I’m going in a little more cautiously. I want to train and race; I know what races I would ideally do, but I’m also conscious of the fact that I’m still not 100%. As of today, I’m signed up for the Boston Marathon in April and Ironman Canada in late August. I am cautiously optimistic about Boston and little less so about Canada. In a call with Coach John on Sunday, I told him that I wanted to work towards Boston. I am going to train as if I’m going to be there on April 20, but with full knowledge that my knee and/or hip/back might not allow it to be. I’m going to play Ironman Canada by ear for at least a couple more months. That really means that it’s highly doubtful. Last year, I had a great race at Ironman USA with less training than I’d planned. But I also had a much stronger base due to my 2007 injury-free season and a strong winter and early spring. This year, assuming I make it through Boston, I’ll wake up in late April without having spent much time on the bike or in the pool. I’m not counting myself out yet, but I am being careful with my expectations.

I do have a back-up “plan”. If I either can’t get to Boston or do make it through and decide not to go for Canada, I’ll take it easy this summer and continue to work on my recovery. That recovery will include more strength work and hopefully some shorter triathlons, road races and swim races.

Happy 2009 to all and thanks for following along with me!

Run – January 2
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 32 minutes
Course: Topanga State Park trails
Conditions: Mid-40’s, sunny

Run/walk – January 5
Distance: 4.75 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Course: Washington Square Park
Conditions: High-30’s, mostly sunny

Indoor ride – January 6
Time: 30 minutes