There is nothing quite like placing an event on the calendar. Something so simple can be a powerful stimulus to put the pieces in place to accomplish a goal.
I am assembling my 2024 schedule and found it valuable to answer some key questions.
The same exercise may help you too and allow you to preserve the ability to smash your 2024 races.
Know exactly what you want
With a clear commitment to an event, you can begin to backwards plan what it might take to get to that goal. Knowing exactly what you want enables you to execute on the following three points in this article and it sets up
Your level of investment required
Your timeline to completion
Your ability to hit a true peak within the year
Giving yourself plenty of time alleviates the need to rush performance and gives you the space to build thoroughly toward an A-race. You may only have 1-2 peaks in you per year and a hasty preparation can jeopardize the longer term picture.
This shortcoming often comes in the form of a steep ramp in the weeks prior to the main event that may work great or may leave you sick/injured.
Know what you can commit to
There are other aspects to life than training. You’ll have plenty of outside obligations and these must be included in your overall season plan.
While total volume to be successful varies based on the athlete, signing up for an event such as an Ironman when you may only have 5-6 hours per week to train may not be in your best interest.
It is OK to shift your lifestyle when taking on a big goal. This is part of growing and developing. You may need to make some sacrifices.
It is also OK to pick a event that is in line with your current lifestyle. If shifting your life operations will sacrifice your ability to be present in other areas, this can work great. You get to race, have fun, and tend to your non-athletic life.
What’s going to work for you?
You can still get great results by:
Establishing a week you can trust
Being intentional in every session
Steering clear of a mental breakdown due to “Life Overload”
Know what is meaningful
Maybe there are some events in the past you have done that mean a lot to you to be in attendance. I have a home triathlon that I always try to attend during my season because it is well-run, exciting, and for a good cause. These types of events are comforting and always make the preparation more exciting.
Maybe the target event for the year is a challenge that seems a bit out of reach. There is nothing wrong with doing something big if you can prepare well. If going big is meaningful, it can be a powerful reminder to keep the course when the going gets tough.
Finally, maybe making a return to sport after a break or after an injury is what is most meaningful to you. In this case, picking an event that fosters the continuation of your return might be the best option to keep you in the game for the long term.
Know where you are currently
Your fitness level right now determines the length of time you’ll need to prepare for your event. If your goal event is early in the year, now might be the time to start making plans for some specific preparation. If your event is later in the year, September-November, a focus on general capacity week in and week out will set you up great for when it’s time to get more specific.
Plotting down some dates on the calendar is quite effective for developing a sense of urgency or patience depending on your situation.
It is also worth considering when you feel best during a year. For example, maybe you’re historically really good when August rolls around. Picking an event in this time of the year will help you time your peak and your preparation.
A note on peaking: It is important to remember that the training and racing leading up to the peak event should be conducive to the performance. You never want to be so fatigued and so far from peak performance that a “taper” becomes a hail mary. This is where being consistent pays off.
Grab that calendar or Excel sheet and think through where you want to be, by when, and how you are going to get there in 2024. The above points were helpful to me for planning a year that I feel good about and hopefully, it can be of service to you as well.