Normally I don’t give a lot of thought to strategically planning out my race schedule in a smart way. However since my word of the year is focus, I am approaching things a little differently this year. Here’s how I am planning my race schedule.
Planning my race schedule
Let’s back up a bit for a second. In the past, I have been known to just haphazardly sign up for a crazy amount of races every year. Why you ask? I get serious FOMO. Honestly, as the chapter leader of our MRTT group, I post a calendar of races routinely. Then when I see my friends signing up for them, I naturally cannot contain myself. I believe this strategy has not benefited me too well in the performance department. Although, it was a great strategy in the fun department. Oh the struggle is real!
So…This year I am really trying to be strategic about signing up for races. As I have written about a few times lately, I am making improving my time in the Sprint Distance triathlon my goal for this spring and summer. I then plan to train for some longer distance running and relay races after the summer season. So here’s how I am planning my race schedule.
Pick an “A” race
I picked a sprint triathlon race on June 4th as my “A” race. I have participated in this race a number of times but never really feel like I performed the way I believe that I can. I am hoping to go back this June and crush some of my previous times on the same course.
Come up with a training plan
I was not able to find a generic triathlon plan that I thought suited me. The plans I found were either too easy or too hard. I know Goldilocks right? With the help of my trainer, I have come up with a plan that I am currently following. So far so good!
When choosing a training plan, I believe it’s essential to do an honest assessment and start where you are. Finding a training plan that is appropriate to where you are at that moment not where you want to be.
Plan “B” races
“B” races are great opportunities to test out how your training is going and identify any weaknesses. Using them as training runs are also excellent times to try out new fueling options or gear. I have a “B” race scheduled 5 weeks before.
Try not to get FOMO
As I mentioned, it is really difficult for me not to sign up for all the races. I am really trying to stay focused on the big goal this year. Then, afterwards, I am going to sign up for everything I am going to assess the rest of my year.
Tell me: What’s your A race this year? How are you planning for it?
Linking up all around today
Coaches Corner-Suz, Debbie, Lora, Rachel
Workout Wednesday- AnnMarie, Nicole, Jen
I love this strategy! I’ve never thought about choosing an “A” race or event, but I’m going to keep this in mind now.
I am doing things a little differently this year hope it pays off
I am also trying not to sign up for races just because it sounds like a good idea at the moment. I dont want to sign up too far in advance because something always seems to come up, but I will definitely need a little time to prepare. It always makes sense to start with a goal race and then go from there.
It’s hard not to just sign up for everything!
Oh, Race FOMO. It can be so hard here in Chicago with so many! I am pretty chill about it, though I get FOMO for all the marathons…
Thankfully I do not have marathon envy but everything else yes!
My A race this year is the Chicago Marathon. I ran my first marathon last Fall but I wasn’t happy with my time. I’m hoping to PR in Chicago since it’s a much flatter course. I’ll be using the same running coach I used last year and I hope I can add in some speed workouts to my training plan.
That sounds like a fantastic plan! Look forward to hearing about your training
My “A” races are always my marathons. That distance requires advance planning and proper training. The halfs are usually part of my training or just for fun. Obviously I do have to train for them, but it’s not as serious for me.
Yes definitely the longer distances take much more training. I am trying not to tire myself out with too many races.
My entire 2017 is being planned around running my first marathon in October. Once official marathon training starts at the beginning of June, any races that I run will be well coordinated to my training calendar.
Sounds like you have a great plan in place as well!
Thanks for the info! I’m signing up for races for the first time in my life (well, since high school) so I’m very curious to know how other people plan out when/how many races they’ll be doing!
I think it really depends on what you are training for and what your current fitness level is. Can’t wait to hear about your race training
I usually try to choose a couple races as a goal race for the year and then the rest are for fun! Semper Fi 5k has been a PR race for me the last couple years so I’m keeping that one 🙂 And I seem to do better with my training in Summer/Fall so generally a Fall half marathon as a goal race.
I also really enjoy running in the fall too much better weather
I have two A races this year – I’ve been training to improve my 10K time, so the Rotterdam 1/4 marathon is where I’ll be focusing on that goal. There is one Half Marathon that I want to run with an improvement in time from last year (but doesn’t have to be a PR) and that’s the Rock n Roll Liverpool Half. All other races are B races that are either local for training or just for fun. For example I’ll be doing Dublin RNR Half again this year and that one is purely for fun. And *fingers crossed* I’ll get to do a US RnR race (Half) and that will also just be for fun. I get terrible FOMO but it’s put my body in a real mess the last two years so THIS year I’m focusing on recovering and smart training!
Yes FOMO can get you into serious trouble for sure! You do get to do some fun RnR races. I hear Dublin is amazing
i’ve never heard of B races, but i really like this concept. it’s a great way to prepare! i’ve been thinking about igning up for RACE THIS YEAR!
That’s exciting look forward to see which one you pick 🙂
This is a great strategy for a successful race season. I kind of have two A races – the Love Run Half and the Buffalo Half Marathon with plenty of B races sprinkled in between! FOMO is really tough and there are always small races that pop up out of nowhere!
Yes I do love to jump into smaller races if I can fit them into my plan
Okay, so I really needed to hear your advice regarding choosing a plan that is best suited to where you are not where you want to be! As I’m looking to start half marathon training, it is so tempting to follow the same one I followed for my last. However, after having been off from running for so long after my injury and just now building back, I know that I need to start really slow. Ugh… reality sucks sometimes! 🙂
Yes reality is not always what we want it to be but I think if you are honest with yourself you will hopefully ward off injuries. Look forward to hearing how it goes!
I often get FOMO and then screw up my race plans by going to hard in a race that is not my goal. Definitely going to try to be much better about not doing that!
Guilty as well!
Haha, I fall victim to the same. I’m the leader of a local running group and when I start posting races and seeing people sign up I get all sorts of FOMO. 😉 But that’s what makes it fun I suppose.
I generally sign up for races well in advance so I can pay the least amount of money possible. These things add up!
Oh I know! And fomo is crazy real
I think I’ve lost the planning for an “A” race with a number of races I do. Last year my “A” Race was my marathon and everything started and ended with it. I haven’t had one for this year really. And I’m ok with that. Goals and races do change from time to time.
I do think it’s about time to start thinking about another marathon, maybe.
You really do a lot of races as well! I thought it was time to mix it up this year so we shall see how that does
FOMO is real! It is always banging on the door! My A races are new challenges like the Gasparilla challenge that I just finished and then preparing for the half in Utah- I have never run a downhill race and I imagine it will be a lot harder than I think!
I think the altitude and the down hill might be challenging indeed but very pretty I am sure
I think it’s wise to make a plan and (mostly) stick to it. My A race was going to be the Utah Valley Marathon, and it’s still a possibility, but I may have to cut down my goals on that one because I’m so far behind because of my knee injury.
Here’s an idea. Every time you get FOMO for a local race take the money you would have spent on it and save it for something awesome!
That is a fabulous idea!!
Great tips! I’m just getting back into running, so my big race is maybe a 5k this summer. Nothing too big!
That will fun fun to get back to!
My A race is usually Space Coast Half Marathon. This will be the last year I am running it and so then I will have to find something else. That will be fun.
Yes finding new races is lots of fun
I don’t really have a race this year. I’ll be running the Skirt Sports 13er (5K) in June, other than that not much else. I admire your commitment.
I went last year it was lots of fun but the altitude is hard to adjust to. I am not able to go this year bc that’s the day of my tri race unfortunately.
My marathon is my “A” race (thus far, LOL). I do a lot of races, so I always try to work in their respective distances as part of my training. I try to run these races efficiently, but not necessarily do what I’d consider outright “racing.” I’m just not competitive in that respect. I’d like to PR my marathon (since I ran it in 2015 with some icky GI issues plaguing me), but I also want to enjoy the course (without numerous porta-pot stops) and just relish the idea that I can run 26.2 miles (and still walk the next day). 😉
Yes running a marathon and still feeling good the next day is something to be proud of for sure. I would not be walking the next day. I get distracted by signing up for lots of races that don’t help me do well in my tri race. The second half of the year will be for that!
It’s SO hard not to have FOMO with all the races. I have tried to be strategic this year as well but have ended up with a few on my list just because my friends have signed up too!
OH I know that can easily happen!
Unfortunately I don’t even know what FOMO means. LOL But I’m thinking planning your races will be beneficial to you. Hope it goes well.
Fear of Missing Out! It is very real 🙂
YES exactly this!!! I used to sign up for ALL THE RACES but this year it’s revolving around my A race, Ironman Lake Placid. I’m not doing every race I want to do because of that.
That’s really exciting that you are taking the leap to the full. Look forward to reading about your training.
I am not racing this year, but good luck with your A race!! You’re going to kill it!!
Thanks so much 🙂
Great plan and execution! Personally I’m just doing one race this year… a half in May. I have participated in any races in about 3-4 years because I primarily focus on strength training and don’t like to focus too much of race training. But I’ve also never completed a half so I want to check that off my list! 👌🏼
That will be a fun one to train for!
I didn’t realize you were “less focused” in previous years. : )
If I’m doing a marathon, (Berlin this year) that’s automatically my A race, based on the volume of training it requires.
It’s not that I wan not focused but rather I got distracted by doing other longer distance running and racing that I don’t think helps me with the tri races. then of course I was upset that I did not do as well as I had hoped.
Great tips! Yes, I totally agree with the “A” race as a focus. ps-I have that same Tri Kit & LOVE it!!! 🙂
I love it too! I am looking for another one bc it is so noticeable can’t have all my pics with the same outfit right?!
haha! It is hard not to sign up for them all!! You are going to rock at A race this year though.
Thanks for the vote of confidence
What a great tri finish line photo!
Don’t forget my Race Linkup. This would be a perfect post to link to it, and it’s still open!
Ok did not realize it was still open
I’m the opposite of focused when it comes to race planning this year. I have Rock’n’Roll Dallas in a week and that’s it so far. I looked up a bunch of local races, but I have weddings on pretty much every race date (yep, it’s that time of life for me). So I think this year will be a relaxed year, and I’ll refocus on racing in 2018!
I do remember the years of a million weddings! Still waiting to hear more about yours 🙂
My A race is the Chicago marathon and my number one goals are to get my health back in check and get back to training appropriately.
So glad that it sounds like you are doing much better.
I only have 2 races booked this year so far. My half marathon in 2 weeks time and a 10k in July. This year I’m holding back a bit as I’ve started different running groups and want to make sure I have a good balance.
Usually I’ll have an A race or two that I’ll be training for and then do other races for fun.
Yes finding a balance that works for you is so important
My race is Drop 13! I just started ramping up for it, hoping for a PR
fabulous! Good luck
Having A and B races sounds like the way to go! That way you’re not giving yourself unrealistic goals (like only choose X number of races when you know you’ll want to do more) but still making sure you’re not overdoing it.
Yes absolutely my thoughts exactly!
I still can’t run, so no races for me as of right now, but would love to be able to do some fall 5ks with my mom this year and get our 5K time down!
That sounds like a great plan!
Nice plan. I am not currently training for anything as my my body needed a break from over training but I am looking for a 50 miler trail race to run with my friend but we will start training for our 50K soon.
Well that sounds super intense!
You post inspired me a lot to greater efforts. I have already had a plan for “A” race and “B” race this year. Hope that it will work.
Great! Good luck with your training