The new year is a great time for new beginnings. It’s time to break bad habits, and make this the best year ever. As with every facet of life, we have resolutions for our triathlon season as well.  Just like the eager early year gym goer, who gives up by Feb, our best intention-ed resolutions fall away into the road side ditch.

Here’s some well meaning resolutions versus reality for most triathletes.

• Resolution: This year I will do less racing!
• Reality: I’ll cut out that hot/hilly/expensive race that I didn’t PR. The other ten races were enough.

• Resolution: I am going to do more swim training! (If I had a nickel for everytime…)
• Reality: I was getting to the pool way more, until I realized, swimming is only 18% of my race. I can only save like a minute with all of this extra training. I’ll just run more instead. 

• Resolution: I’m going to train less, and spend more time with the family!
• Reality: I just saw my training partner’s plan and I need to increase my training 20% to keep up. I can’t let him/her get faster than me. 

• Resolution: I’m going to clean up my diet!
• Reality: I’ll only have 6 pancakes after my long run, instead of the IHOP endless stack. (Yumm Pancakes!)

• Resolution: I’m not going to drink, I’m going on the wagon!
• Reality: You cross the line at a 5k/10k/HM/Marathon, and the first thing you ask, “Where’s the beer tent?

• Resolution: I’m going to do more strength and core work!
• Reality: I don’t want to bulk up, and go over my ideal racing weight.

• Resolution: I going to stay injury free!
• Reality: It only hurts when I run fast.

• Resolution: I’m going to hire a coach!
• Reality: Do you see how much they charge? I’ll get new race wheels instead, that’ll make me faster.

• Resolution: I’m going to volunteer for a race!
• Reality: If I have to get up that early, I’m going to race * Consider keeping this resolution as races always need volunteers, and you will have a great time.

I know these are just generalizations, and none of these will apply to you.

What are your triathlete resolutions, and how do you plan to keep them?

photo credit: michelle@TNS via photopin cc