So, I’d like to be the most fit I’ve ever been at 50. Given that I have no high school trophies gathering dust in a box, this seems like a reasonable time to peak. I’m still wondering about how best to measure this though. I had fitness related goals coming up to 40 too but those were all running related. After a couple of stress fractures, I’m not going to be running any long distances. I’m also reluctant, given my history, to use weight as a measure of anything. Losing weight would be great for getting up hills on the bike but I’m more interested in percent bodyfat than just the numbers on a scale. (I’ll talk lots more about that later.) I’d like to focus on weightlifting and Crossfit might be useful there. (They love measuring and recording things.) I have lots of good data from my 40s–years of resting HR records, lots of 5, 10, and 15 km time trial time on the bike, and even a VO2 max test–but I want this to be fun too.
Here are some of the first thoughts I’ve had about goals:
1.Beginner distance triathlon (I’d like to better my 40 year old time.) I love the Kincardine Women’s Triathlon and this is likely the one I’ll do in 2013 and 2014. Perhaps with my co-blogger. I’m a slow swimmer and a middle of the pack runner but I love the atmosphere at triathlons and it forces me to branch out beyond the bike. Time for some wintertime lane swimming?
2. I’d like to try a new kind of bike racing. Perhaps some cyclocross bike racing. Perhaps Paris-Ancaster?[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiuwY7r0cQI]
3. There’s a centurium race series that interests me too.
4. On the track, I have flying lap and standing start 500 m times, I’d like to improve as well. These aren’t mine!
5. For running, I have no aspirations beyond 5 km and I’m thinking, mulling over the idea, that what I’d like to be able to do is run 5 km quickly. My running form improves when I go fast–by build and temperament I’m much more a sprinter than an endurance athlete–and I could train for this, I think, without risking injury. I’ve been doing lots of sprinting at Crossfit. My fastest 5 km time in the past was 25 minutes and change.
6. For Aikido, I’d like to test for my next belt. It’s hard to be too goal oriented in martial arts. It’s all about regular practice and being invited to test. But I will prepare each time as if I’m testing and hope quietly, silently, patiently for the invitation.
7. I’ve started to use a rowing machine at Crossfit and have a 3 km time to best. (9:13 seconds, slow)
8. And still working on some Crossfit goals. Double unders, unassisted pull ups continue to elude me though I’m getting much better at kettlebell swings, burpees, and box jumps.
Hope to have a list of goals soon! Suggestions welcome.
