Mooloolaba Triathlon 2012

Ok so, lets put all other blog topics aside for a moment and put some focus on my first and foremost goal for 2012.

My triathlon journey to date:

2009
In January 2009 I weighed 90.2 Kilos.  I was unfit and unhealthy.  I started to do something about it.  By the end of 2009 I had lost 30kg and competed in several 10km fun runs and raced in my goal event for the year, the Run Swim Run at Noosa triathlon and Multisport Festival.'

2010
After 30kg weight loss I was well on my way to my new life.  I registered for Noosa Triathlon 2010.  Throughout the year, I competed in several small events.  Noosa was to be my first Olympic Distance.  Nervous, much?  By October 2010 my marriage had ended, my Mother In Law (who was living at home with us) died of terminal cancer.  I was still living with my ex, I was out of work.  One of the most important people in my life had left the country and life was pretty much turning to shit in front of my eyes. I felt alone, isolated and broken.  To say I didn't focus on my training and my nutrition for 6 mths leading up to Noosa Triathlon is an understatement.  I suffered from a severe case of influenza the weekend before the Noosa Tri and only just made it to the starting line.

Finishing the fucker was my only goal at that point.

I did it in 3:03

2011
After an abysmal preparation for Noosa, I decided to have another crack at this Olympic distance thing and registered for Mooloolaba.  Still a virgin triathlete in relative terms, I thought that this would provide me with the focus I needed to get through the continuing life saga of relationship breakdowns, unemployment, financial mess and life change.

It didn't go so well.

Plagued by injuries, I couldn't train properly.  Swimming was just not happening and running was minimal effort.

But I did it.  I finished it. I was well over my planned body weight and under prepared (again).  Every muscle in my legs cramped in the run and although I completed 8 minutes faster than Noosa, I still felt like I'd let myself down with preparation.

Noosa 2011 - round 2 - Having found work by this stage, I was now faced with another stage in the process of major life change.  Moving into my own place, working full time for the first time in 8 years and adjusting to life as a single, working mum.  Still managing a bad shoulder, training took a back seat in my list of priorities and again when I crossed the line, it was bitter sweet as I STILL felt like I hadn't done all  I could have to do MY best on the day.

Now its 2012.  Mooloolaba is looming.  Just 3 months away.

Finally I feel like the dust is settling after massive upheaval and life change.  Can I finally do it?  Can I finally commit and participate in the required amount of focus and training to see me cross the line with that feeling of knowing I'd done all that I can to achieve my own personal best on the day?

I hope so.

If the 3 day xmas training block that we just completed is anything to go by, then I'm ready to commit.  I'm meeting with coach next week to go over my goals and to get my program for January.  I have 12 weeks to prepare.

Here's what I want to achieve on 25th March 2012

Race weight - 60kg (current 67kg)
Swim - sub 30 mins (last year 31mins)
Ride - sub 1hr 20mins (last year 1:24)
run - sub 60 mins (last year 60 mins)
Overall time - sub 2:50 (last year 2:55)

The plan is to think about not much else between now and 25th March and to post regular training updates to help stay focused and committed.

Wish me LUCK !