Now What?

on January 11, 2010
in All Posts

The first thing I thought when I got out of bed this morning is, “I need a new goal.” :)  I am too goal-oriented and internally competitive for my own good! I am still very happy with my marathon, but I need something NEW!  I just love to challenge myself physically and accomplish new things.

 

What’s on the menu for the upcoming months?  Here are the races that I’ve set in stone:

 

The Wildman Triathlon – March 14, 2010

I will be completing the Olympic Triathlon, a 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike, and 5.6 mile run.  This will be my second triathlon – I was disqualified from the first because I had a panic attack during the swim and quit!  :(  I can’t wait to “complete” a triathlon.

 

Ride to Remember – May 15, 2010

Coming off my triathlon, I hope to extend my bicycling and complete a century bike ride, which is 100 miles.  I have done a metric century (60 miles) before, but I want to do the BIG one!

 

A Weight Lifting Challenge – Ongoing

IMG_5056

One aspect of my fitness that I would really like to work on is my strength.  So, once I settle down from the marathon, I will be creating a Weight Lifting Challenge for the blog (that you can participate in, too!).  I’m going to be enlisting the help of some personal trainers who really know their strength-training stuff.  Stay tuned!

 

I MIGHT have some other race tricks up my sleeve.  🙂

 

What are your goals right now?

{ 95 comments }

 

  • Meghan@traveleatlove January 11, 2010, 4:46 pm

    My goals are to move toward a career in a field I am passionate about and to finish my 3rd Boston Marathon healthy and without injury. . . and to have fun doing it!

  • barbaraq(Blood, Sweat and Heels) January 11, 2010, 4:49 pm

    Fantastic Job girl!!!!! You are such the athlete!

    My goals? I’m in an 8 week Crossfit challenge and going Paleo the entire time. 🙂

    B

  • Shannon, Tropical Eats January 11, 2010, 4:53 pm

    You are definitely a go getter! my goal is to make time during school to go workout.. last semester i got into a slump 🙁

  • Jessica @ How Sweet January 11, 2010, 4:53 pm

    I always need a goal too – I feel naked without one! Right now I’m working towards another fitness competition in the Spring and some other personal writing goals! 🙂

  • Little Aspects January 11, 2010, 4:53 pm

    The bike ride sounds awesome!
    My goal is to run another half marathon this year – I haven’t run one since 2005 (ran my PR – 1:40 – then broke my tailbone in 3 places a week later and never ran another). I know I won’t get a PR but if I can get under 1:50 I’ll be happy 🙂 (once that goal out of the way, my husband and I want to do the Oxfam Trailwalker – http://www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/sydney/

  • Sonja @ ActiveFoodie January 11, 2010, 4:54 pm

    I’d LOVE to do a triathalon but just running is hard enough to work into my schedule right now, don’t know how I’d ever fit in swimming! One day! So right now I am just working on training for my first marathon!! I’m going to do the San Francisco marathon in July! Can’t wait!

  • Little Aspects January 11, 2010, 4:54 pm

    PS – congratulations on youreat achievement!!

    • Little Aspects January 11, 2010, 5:10 pm

      Sorry, the ahould read “congratulations on your marathon – a great achievement”

  • Meghan January 11, 2010, 4:55 pm

    You have totally inspired me to start to train for my first marathon!! I also am starting the 100 push up challenge because I am so bad at lifting weights..I always just shrug it off! (I’d much rather run 😀 )

  • Katie (Sweet Tater) January 11, 2010, 4:56 pm

    congratulations on your marathon, caitlin! it was fun to follow your adventure.

  • Kristen January 11, 2010, 4:57 pm

    A few of my fitness goals:
    -the winterman marathon relay
    -raise money for team alzheimer’s and run the covered bridges half marathon
    -run 30K on my 30th birthday

    Good luck with the triathlon! Can’t wait to see your swim redemption!

  • Julie @ Pickley Pear January 11, 2010, 4:58 pm

    The Weight Lifting Challenge intrigues me 🙂 Looking forward to details!

  • Evan Thomas January 11, 2010, 4:58 pm

    I want to sign up for a race! But to be honest I’m a little intimidated and turned off by the idea of an entrance fee. What if I end up not being ready or it just isn’t my day? Then I’d feel like it was all wasted. But I know I need to at least try one of these days. And there’s a 20-miler a day before my birthday which seems like a sign…

    • Sana January 11, 2010, 7:00 pm

      Some races let you put your money towards next year’s race or down a race.

      • Caitlin January 11, 2010, 9:32 pm

        sign up! you’ll have fun even if its not the perfect race day.

  • Laura @ FindingAHealthyBalance...after a 100+ POUND weight loss! January 11, 2010, 5:00 pm

    Wow, 2010 looks quite fun and challenging for you!

    I plan to do the same….mostly running & losing a few pounds though.

    I just wanted to tell you that I love WEIGHT LIFTING and have been doing it for several years…..I think it is great for you and it really helped me shed 100+ pounds over the years!

  • alli January 11, 2010, 5:02 pm

    i always need a new fitness goal, too. it keeps me going and motivated! a marathon has been on my list since the fall. i will do it this year, even if it’s just around the high school track! 🙂
    i look forward to your strength challenge as that is always a priority of mine. i got really close to finishing the 100 pushup challenge but my low back was in such pain from doing them! does that mean i was doing them with bad form?

    • Caitlin January 11, 2010, 9:32 pm

      i think so – or maybe you also need to gently work on your core as well. the 100 push up challenge is really intense!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 11, 2010, 5:06 pm

    haha I just KNEW you would have more goals in mind! Wow – that is a long triathlon for your first one. They often have ‘enticer’ or ‘novice’ distances too which are a good way to break into the sport (without being overwhelmed!)

  • Kara January 11, 2010, 5:07 pm

    My main fitness goal now is to stay healthy until May when I have to face the marathon task of delivering a baby! After that, I want to get back into running and feeling like myself again. I’d like to do a half marathon in the spring of 2011, but I’ll be happy with a fast 10K too 🙂

  • Brenna January 11, 2010, 5:12 pm

    Can’t wait to read about the weight lifting challenge- I’m in!

    • Morgan January 12, 2010, 10:07 am

      Me too!

  • Whitney January 11, 2010, 5:12 pm

    I’m going to run my first half in May. And train during the winter!

  • Abby (Nibble, Nourish, Run) January 11, 2010, 5:13 pm

    Wow! So impressed you’re already thinking about your next challenges! They sound awesome. Um and sign me up for the weight lifting challenge – I need HELP there!

  • becky January 11, 2010, 5:14 pm

    I want to complete Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred!

  • Kate January 11, 2010, 5:14 pm

    Can’t wait for the weight lifting challenge! Congrats on your marathon and good luck at the triathlon – you’re going to do great!

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers January 11, 2010, 5:20 pm

    my goal is to be tight & toned for my wedding in oct. this year! i wanna be a smokin’ bride! 😀

  • Amanda (modernation) January 11, 2010, 5:22 pm

    Love it! I am the same way – totally competitive with myself and need goals to keep me on track. Can’t wait to see what happens! You rock!

  • Lauren January 11, 2010, 5:22 pm

    Congrats on the marathon!! Your recap & all your blog posts about training have inspired me to start training for a half!

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite January 11, 2010, 5:23 pm

    I’m pretty goal oriented too! You’ve done such a great job so far! 🙂

  • Erica January 11, 2010, 5:25 pm

    Ooooh, I want in on the strength training! Count me in! And I think it’s great to have goals and aspirations…it ensures that you are always striving for something new and exciting! Go you!

  • Eve January 11, 2010, 5:27 pm

    Great goals! They are so important – I always come up with goals with my clients, it’s incredibly motivating and important to have things to work towards. Strength training is so important, I’m glad that you’ll be doing a challenge with that!

  • Ami January 11, 2010, 5:29 pm

    I loved your marathon re-cap! Getting me excited for my 2nd race in april…. Love the blog!

  • Deb January 11, 2010, 5:31 pm

    I’m glad you are getting into strength. I’ve heard that it helps with other endeavors as well (running, cycling, injury prevention etc).

    I used to do centuries- they were fun but I refused to take the saddle time to train for them. When I went in to the ortho with knee pain the (young) doc asked if I had been training for the centuries. When I said ‘no’ he kindly reminded me that I wasn’t 15 anymore. Uh, thanks doc.

  • Lauren L. January 11, 2010, 5:44 pm

    Two half marathons this spring – One close to home in Kansas City and then the biggest half marathon in the country, the Indianapolis 500 Mini. Since you had your first exposure to COLD running this past weekend, I wondered if you could offer some advice to running on the treadmill. I know everyone has their own opinion about the treadmill, but I HATE it…I feel slower and have a hard time sticking with it. Since the sidewalks are covered in inches of snow that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon I need some tips for making it more enjoyable. Any suggestions?

    • Caitlin January 11, 2010, 9:33 pm

      oh man i wish i had good treadmill suggestions but I HATE THE DREADMILL. i have found that listening to a podcast or doing speedwork makes it more fun.

    • Julie @savvyeats January 11, 2010, 10:55 pm

      I live in WI, so running outdoors isn’t an option for much of the winter for me, either. I like to put in a movie or schedule my runs for the same time as a favorite TV show… it distracts me from the boredom of running on a treadmill!

  • Becky January 11, 2010, 5:45 pm

    I will start training in the beginning of February for the Long Island Half Marathon on May 2nd. It’s my 27th birthday present to myself (my bday is on May 3rd). I want to enter another year of life stronger and healthier all the way around!!!

  • Mama Pea January 11, 2010, 5:46 pm

    You still have to swim in the triathalon, right? 😉

    So my husband thinks I need to talk to my surgeon about maybe racing again. He thinks I have it in me. 5 miles is the most I’ve ran since my surgery in April. I’m getting the itch, especially watching all you awesome ladies!

  • ~Jessica~ January 11, 2010, 5:50 pm

    Wow! You’re a fitness dynamo! I wish I could swim but I sink like a rock…

    My goal right now is definitely to RACE a half-marathon. I’ve completed 13.5 miles so many times in training but there aren’t any half-marys anywhere near where I live and I don’t (uh…can’t) drive so getting to the start line would be the biggest challenge of all…

    Good luck with all of your goals 🙂

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com January 11, 2010, 5:51 pm

    Great goals!
    My first one is to do my first (official) half marathon – I’ve done one in training, but I want a medal for it :p
    Second, is to do a full marathon! I’m hoping to do possibly the Twin Cities Minnesota one 😀

  • Meghan January 11, 2010, 5:58 pm

    LOVE the idea of the weight training challenge. This is something I continually struggle with. I finally just broke down and purchased a bunch of sessions with a trainer so I can figure out what works for me!

  • katherine January 11, 2010, 6:05 pm

    Glad to see you’re hitting the ground running (and swimming and cycling!) following the marathon. It’s great to have a new goal to focus on once you accomplish one, but don’t short yourself – soak in the post-marathon glow as long as you can!!!

  • Theorist January 11, 2010, 6:16 pm

    I can’t wait to learn more about the weight training challenge. I’m in!

  • Jess January 11, 2010, 6:19 pm

    I am also so goal oriented. . .I need to have something to train for.

    You should do the Danskin Womens Tri in on May 9. Its all women and a mothers day weekend at the Ft. Wilderness Lodge. I just love all the races disney puts on and this is so organized and great because its all week! Was my first tri last year and I started training today for it again . . .17 weeks!

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen January 11, 2010, 6:24 pm

    girl, it is so great to see someone so goal oriented! can’t wait to watch you train and do the weights with you!

  • Whitney January 11, 2010, 6:29 pm

    I’m looking forward to the weight training challenge! It’s easy to run, because there’s usually always a goal, but with weight lifting it’s easy for me to blow it off.

  • Catie January 11, 2010, 6:31 pm

    I have two big goals. Run a 10k this year. I’m running my first 5k April 10th. And lose 10 lbs this year.

  • Caroline January 11, 2010, 6:32 pm

    I’m definitely in on the weight lifting! I’ve been thinking lately that I need to start strength training. I’m training for a half marathon but my top half has gone all soft!

  • Lee January 11, 2010, 6:35 pm

    I am like that too; I always like to have some sort of training goal. Right now, mine is to finish my next half-marathon (my 6th) in less than 2:15.

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) January 11, 2010, 6:40 pm

    Those sound like awesome goals. I’m interested to see your weight-lifting challenge! I already lift free-weights 3x a week and cross-train the other days and LOVE how strong my body has gotten since I started lifting!

  • Lisa January 11, 2010, 7:02 pm

    I am so excited about your weightlifting challenge! I definitely ant to participate! I love weightlifting (more than cardio!) especially if there’s a real challenge and a group of people in blog land all participating! Can’t wait to hear what you’ll present on your blog!

  • Claudia @... and so I ran January 11, 2010, 7:08 pm

    My goal right now is to learn how to run and maybe even run my first 1/2 Marathon… it scares me a bit but i’m up for the challenge.

  • Amanda January 11, 2010, 7:12 pm

    Cant wait to hear about the strength training challenge. I most definitely need to step it up in the strength department after I complete my 1/2 marathon this weekend.

    I’m interested to hear what else you have up your sleeve too. You sneaky thing!

  • Allison January 11, 2010, 7:33 pm

    Goals: Complete and half marathon and marathon in 2010!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 11, 2010, 7:37 pm

    My goal is to get my office organized – including all my recipes that are just randomly strewn about. Then I need to have some sort of plan to make the different recipes I have accumulated.

  • Angela (The Lady Loves to Eat) January 11, 2010, 7:41 pm

    I’m so excited for the weightlifting challenge! My goals right now is to complete the two half marathons I signed up for one in May and one in September! Also just do more races this year in general, I think doing races keeps me motivated to push myself.

  • Jessie January 11, 2010, 7:55 pm

    I wish I had your motivation!

  • Susan January 11, 2010, 7:55 pm

    Wooo!!! As a girl who loves cycling and weight lifting, I can’t wait to read about these new challenges! My immediate goal is to get up tomorrow and do a session on my bike trainer 😛 Long term – half marathon in May and metric century in September. Maaaaybe another triathlon if I can find one in a pool and not open water (I freaked out in the lake too, it’s not fun if you’re not a mega strong swimmer!)

    Hope you’re recovering okay!!

  • Jenna January 11, 2010, 7:55 pm

    Glad you have new goals set!

  • Mandy @ University Cooking January 11, 2010, 8:06 pm

    My goals are to do a 5K, and to go to the gym 5 times a week for cardio.

    Small goals, but i’ve never been a gym bunny so it’s a learning curve.

    But goals always make it easier for me to stay on track. Rather then just saying “i should go to the gym more”. I like knowing how many days a week/ what i’ll be doing there.

  • Leah January 11, 2010, 8:08 pm

    Oh my stars I’m so proud of you. I love running but I haven’t ventured into the full 26.2 yet! Way to go. Seeing someone else reach their goal makes me want to reach mine. Thank you for being an inspiration.

  • Gracie @ Girl Meets Health January 11, 2010, 8:11 pm

    I am SO into the strength training challenge!! I’ve been doing the 30 Day Shred (which is a ton of strength training) and I love how STRONG it makes me feel. Not to mention my entire body just looks…firmer. My other fitness goals include: becoming a runner (I can barely do a 1/2 mile), learning martial arts, and learning how to do REAL push-ups 🙂 Hopefully I can accomplish all of those by 2011!

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner January 11, 2010, 8:28 pm

    I want to improve my 5k time and get into biking when the weather gets better!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair January 11, 2010, 8:32 pm

    I just started reading this book about strength training for women: http://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com/

    It’s REALLY interesting. You should definitely check it out. Apart from the fact that the author says that endurance training isn’t great (which, as a runner, I totally disagree with) he does make some EXCELLENT points about weight lifting for women and some common myths that women believe about strength training – like doing lots of reps with light weights.

    Anyways, he has strength training programs in there – I just started doing it today and they are a killer workout! So I thought you might be interested for your strength training challenge 🙂

    • Caitlin January 11, 2010, 9:34 pm

      so many people have recommended this book!

  • Sara January 11, 2010, 8:41 pm

    I am really focusing on strength training. I ran for so long and forgot my muscles too! I am working to incorporate both running and strength training in my every day routines!

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 11, 2010, 8:46 pm

    Ohhh, I really want to do a strength training challenge! Can’t wait to hear the specifics!

  • Erin January 11, 2010, 9:01 pm

    I really need to incorporate more strength training into my routine and I’d also like to run a 10K. I’m stuck in a 3-mile rut and can’t get out!

  • Katie O. @ Fit to Wed January 11, 2010, 9:46 pm

    I’m training for a 14k but my ultimate goal is to run a half! I love that you’re already thinking of your next step the day after your marathon 🙂

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) January 11, 2010, 10:05 pm

    CRAZZYYYY. Best word to describe you. Better word? INSPIRATIONAL. Great goals for the upcoming months!

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story January 11, 2010, 10:06 pm

    I have 3 right now, to make it through a month of Cross Fit training, a 10k in April and a half marathon in October. I’m excited and terrified. 🙂

  • Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. January 11, 2010, 10:17 pm

    I excited about the strength training. It would be particularly awesome if it could involve as few different weights as possible. I don’t belong to a gym and I would need to buy them.

  • Christy January 11, 2010, 10:18 pm

    Ohh exciting news about the upcoming challenge! I need some weight lifting motivation!

  • Britt (Runnerbelle) January 11, 2010, 10:19 pm

    I hear ya, that was my same thought post marathon…. now what? You kind of forget to plan a post marathon plan. Unfortunately I’m on the operation and rest plan as I have a huge ovarian cyst. Boo.

  • Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me January 11, 2010, 10:41 pm

    Oh I soo need to up the ante on strength training! I definitely don’t do it enough!

  • Julie @savvyeats January 11, 2010, 11:00 pm

    I am running the Disney Princess Half Marathon in March (maybe I’ll get to meet you?), and am training for our cycling honeymoon trip through Italy (September/October) and an MS 150 ride (July)!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) January 11, 2010, 11:10 pm

    YES, I need to work on strength too!

  • Ali@ Food, FItness, Fashion January 11, 2010, 11:11 pm

    My goal right now and to be a very nicely toned bride 😉 And to train safely and smart for a healthy and fun first half marathon!

  • Lexie January 11, 2010, 11:14 pm

    This is absolutely amazing! Probably my favorite post of yours ever. I’m so excited for you!

  • Leo @ cupcakes in Paris January 12, 2010, 1:04 am

    Caitlin, I can’t wait to follow your next adventures!

  • Courtney January 12, 2010, 1:11 am

    Can’t wait to see you training for the Tri! :] I wish I could afford a bike! Ugh! I am completig 60 days of Insanity!

  • Jess January 12, 2010, 1:44 am

    You rock! The day after a marathon and you are raring to go again! Crazy!

    Excited to see what your weight lifting challenge entails. My goal this year is to take part in a 5km fun run but I’ll have to see how I go. I have a similar knee condition to you but I’m not as on top of managing it quite yet. Determined to become a runner this year, even if it is just for the fun of it. 🙂

  • Sammi January 12, 2010, 7:28 am

    Your goals look awesome. Good luck on your triathlon! I probably don’t have to tell you this but… make sure you practice in open water this time! I can’t wait to hear about your training for that.

    That strength training challenge may be just what I need to actually get into strength training! I’ve been wanting to go buy a few small weights so it looks like I’ll be going shopping soon!

    My goals- another 10k in march. an 8 mile race in april. (then some races I haven’t looked up yet) & the va beach rock n roll 1/2 marathon September 5th! I’m so excited and nervous about that! After going down this weekend and seeing the finishers at the disney marathon, I am kind of wanting to sign up for it next year! (right now, I’d probably only sign up for the 1/2 but I don’t know)

  • Jenny January 12, 2010, 9:28 am

    Best of luck with your upcoming goals! I think a tri-athalon would be a lot of fun to try 🙂

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat January 12, 2010, 9:58 am

    I’m training for several races this Spring but I definitely want to keep up with my weight training and I want to do some sort of yoga challenge soon too because I’ve been neglecting it as of late.

  • Morgan January 12, 2010, 10:10 am

    My goal is a 1:40-1:45 half marathon by the end of the year! Year of the halves-no marathons in 2010! The training takes dedication!

  • Jennifer S January 12, 2010, 11:41 am

    My goal is to start running again (I stopped due to injury and never got back into it)…

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing January 12, 2010, 12:46 pm

    I’m so goal oriented too. Having goals feels like it gives purpose to what I do and makes me work harder.

    And I will be for sure participating in the weight lifting challenge!

    My goals right now are to heal from my injury by doing what I need to do (rest from running), despite my stubborness. Then, I want to focus on training for a half marathon and finding alternative forms of cardio to supplement my running, which is a totally foreign concept to me.

  • Angie (Losing It and Loving It) January 12, 2010, 12:53 pm

    My goals right now are to slowly start running, train for two 5k’s and possibly do a 10k locally before I attempt the 1/2 marathon in Jamaica. Of course I have weight and inch loss goals too. Would love to lose 50-100 lbs but would love to see inch loss more because to me that counts the most.

  • Carolina John January 12, 2010, 1:05 pm

    going for an olympic triathlon? awesome goal. and totally in your wheelhouse. i posted a huge schedule for 2010 including another marathon and half ironman for this year. also, i’m trying an ironweek challenge, cover all the ironman distances in one week. that’s going to be fun.

  • Rachel January 12, 2010, 1:56 pm

    There’s nothing wrong with being goal oriented!! I hope this triathlon goes a lot better for you than the last. 😀

  • Nadine Randall January 12, 2010, 2:17 pm

    My goals are to run a half marathon in under 2 hours and complete one unassisted pullup. 😉 Check out this blog post from my (kinda) new blog about these goals: http://year27.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/to-add-or-not-to-add-a-fitness-challenge/. I’m also the girl who runs the Girls on the Run Atlanta blog!

  • Amber K January 12, 2010, 3:49 pm

    That is amazing how motivated you are to reach your goals.

    One of my goals is to get better about weight lifting. I do some strength training now, but I am not consistent in the slightest. When I find time to work out I usually concentrate on the immediate effects of cardio. But strength training is something I really need to do! I can’t wait to read about your experience with it.

  • Theresa January 12, 2010, 6:26 pm

    Congrats on your Disney Marathon finish! It was certainly an awesome feeling when crossing that finish line. Hope your foot feels better – I’m actually having the same problem with my foot. I sprained my left ankle over a year ago & have been nursing it all thru marathon training – it was achy after the run but then all of the pain moved down & forward after a few hours. It hurts to put any weight on it now & I have a bit of slight bruising on the side of my foot now. Hoping it’s not a stress fracture as I also plan to complete in one of the events at the Wildman Tri! (probably the “My First Tri” as I’ve never attempted one before & the swim is nice and short). Hope you feel better soon!

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point