Why 2019 Was So Different For Me
In 2019, I set some big, scary goals, but am glad to say that I buckled down, did the work, and accomplished them!
I wanted 2019 to be different. And it was. WILDLY different than I ever expected.
In fall of 2018, I decided that I was bored of playing it safe with my goal setting. I wanted to really see what I was capable of. I set some pretty tough goals for myself:
- IronMan70.3 Chattanooga
- 50 Mile Trail Ultra Race (North Country)
- IronMan Louisville
These were HUGE goals for me. In my life, I had run a handful of 5k’s and half marathons, struggled through one full marathon, had no CLUE how to ride a road bike, and had never competed in any type of triathlon.
But, I decided that if I wanted 2019 to be drastically different, I’d have to take DRASTIC action. I hired a coach, I committed. I put in the time. Every day, every week, every month, for a year.
There were many hours, and many many miles.
Over the course of 2019 I spent 315 hours training. I logged 703 miles of running, 1,985 miles of cycling, and 47 miles of swimming. All in all, that averaged out to about 10 hours a week.
I am not the fastest runner (in fact, my normal mile pace is over 10 minutes a mile). I am a new cyclist, have some questionable bike handling skills, and spent most of the training riding my bike on a stationary trainer indoors.
I have learned that consistency and just showing up everyday have made it possible to achieve what once looked like an impossible goal.
2019 has taught me:
- Just showing up consistently over time will create change you could never imagine.
- Don’t let other people define what you are capable of. Only one person should decide your capability, and that is YOU.
- Lean on the experience of others. If you don’t have the experience, someone does, and they are usually happy to impart their wisdom on you. Ask for help and advice where you need it.
- The hardest part of a workout is just deciding you can do it. Really. Mental is everything.
How do you want your 2020 to be different than your 2019? Don’t be afraid to set the BIG IMPOSSIBLE sounding goals. Once you do, set up a system and community that makes sure you achieve it.
