After a couple years of researching, studying, and experimenting, here are three things I want to focus on this year in my training:

Mindset.  Like many people, sometimes I’ll wake up and think about the goal I have set and say to myself “there’s no way that’s really  going to happen…”  This year I want to make a habit out of recognizing when I do that and then tell myself “well of course you can!  Look how many other people have done it!”  I have seen progress in this just lately – the more I set goals and accomplish them, that gives me more confidence for the next goal.

Process.  Every workout is going to have a purpose.  That purpose is going to focus on a handful of processes I want to master.  I’ve really been putting this into practice this past week; it sure takes a lot of the mental energy out of accomplishing each workout.  For example, if I’m doing an aerobic run, I will focus on cadence and posture.  During bike workouts, cadence, smooth pedal stroke, and posture are always the focus whether I’m doing recovery or power intervals.

Patience.  This is the one I really struggle with.  Once I set a goal, I tend to get very impatient and want to go race speed/effort all the time!  Probably the biggest change in perspective I’ve had relating to this was reflecting on my half marathon I just completed.  It was my first one, and I was pretty apprehensive and definitely impatient during most of the training sessions.  Once it was over though, I looked back and realized hey – I did the workouts, set this goal, and it happened!  I’ll try to remember that going forward.