The 5 P’s for a successful 2010 by Jackie Lewis

The 5 P’s for a successful 2010 by Jackie Lewis

1. Purpose-Know what the goal is!
2. Passion-Have a burning desire to achieve it!!
3. Planning-Determine how you will go about it!!!
4. Perspiration-Work hard and follow the plan!!!!
5. Perseverance-Don’t let anything get in your way!!!!!

The first step is to determine what your 2010 season goals are. Without goals it’s impossible to know what you are trying to achieve. You may plan to race in just one race or 15. Be realistic with how much time you have to devote to training while balancing your other responsibilities. Prioritize what races are important by assigning them an A, B or C. Now list three measurable goals for the season. It may be to overcome your fear of open water swimming by June, shave off 3 minutes on your 5k by July or participate in your first Olympic distance triathlon by Sept. You will then need to add short term obtainable training objectives to each of your three goals. Be specific in what you are trying to accomplish, know what your limiters are and set specific training objectives that will inch you towards accomplishing the overall goal. Keeping a training journal is a very effective way to measure your progress while keeping your sights on your long term objectives. If this sounds too daunting or confusing, solicit help from a coach. Certified coaches can help you set and achieve realistic goals without the worry of hurting yourself or wasting time. Several reputable certifications include: USAT, CSCS, ACSM and ACE… just to list a few. Don’t be afraid to ask for references and for their certification #, you can generally verify their certification online for each specific association. Sign up for group training sessions. The camaraderie and encouragement from others will help you stick with it and make it twice as rewarding as you start to accomplish your season goals. And just remember, any goal worth doing takes purpose, passion, planning, perspiration and perseverance!


Favorite inspiring quotes-authors unknown:
“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
“Winners aren’t quitters and quitters never win.”
“Success is not a destination it’s a journey.”