When I turned 30 years old three and a half years ago, I decided to write out a five year plan for kicks and giggles. The plan was mainly targeted at athletic endeavors and other personal pursuits that were thought to bring me joy.
My first goal was to complete a marathon.
In October of 2009, I crossed the finish line of The Grand Rapids Marathon. I used an introductory marathon training plan to prepare for the race and very rarely (if ever) missed a workout.
The marathon was not easy. I hit the proverbial wall around mile 21. The last 5 miles were not “smooth sailing”, they were more along the lines of “A Perfect Storm”. To say that “I struggled” during those last 5 miles would be an understatement. I was not a happy camper.
Looking back, I can tell what I did wrong. I went out too fast and didn’t respect the distance. I figured that since I had done the 25k a of couple times, the 10.7 additional miles wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Apparently, I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed. Those additional miles were a big deal.
I put on my big boy face and was able to make it through in 3:48. This is one of the greatest running accomplishments of my life. I was on a high for weeks following and couldn’t wait to attempt another 26.2.
The second goal was to run the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25k in under two hours.
I ran my first 25k in 2007, my first “real” year of running. (In 2006, I ran two 5k races) I had a hard time getting to the finish line of this race as well, but was more than thrilled to have done so.
My Aunt Jill has run the 25k nearly every year since it’s inception in 1977. I remember being a youngster (and even a teenager) and wondering how somebody could run 15.5 miles, let alone pay money to do so! It was unfathomable. Masochistic even.
It didn’t take long after I started running to appreciate those who ran such distances and why people chose to do so. There’s something indescribable about the thrill you feel when you push yourself to do things you never thought were possible. You conquered. Quite the adrenaline rush.
In 2010, I was able to achieve my sub two hour goal. I ran my favorite hometown race in 1:55 and some change.
Numero tres. I wanted to run more endurance races in order to become more comfortable with larger training loads and added time on my feet. I’ve run 3 additional marathons since 2009. After completing the fourth, I felt more comfortable with the distance and have a decent grasp of the training that I need to endure in order to have a successful marathon.
The fourth goal revolved around becoming more familiar with the sport of triathlon. Over the past two years I’ve completed a handful of indoor and sprint distance tris. I’m starting to get the hang of the three disciplines, but am fairly weak in 2/3. This year, I’m devoting myself to learning and improving on those areas where I am weak. I have a 10 race calendar planned, culminating with a half-iron distance event in Tawas, MI. on September 8th.
And now to the grand finale….NUMBER 5!!!! (ECHO ECho echo)
All of my training, blood, sweat, tears…well, maybe not tears, I’m a tough guy, right…have led to this event: Ironman: Panama City.
In 2013, a group of us will be heading to Florida to compete in the Ironman. The coup de grace. When I constructed the 5 year list, it was in order to take the steps needed to get to Ironman. I’m one of those people that needs a plan and wants to be thoroughly prepared before I tackle something that’s new to me. I feel that I’m definitely on my way.
Are you interested in joining us???
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Have you ever made a 5 year plan?
