Haven’t done any cardio for over 2 years (other than the odd bike to work) as focusing on strength training and lifting targets for the 4 main lifts.
Q1 I intend to carry on “bulking” and try to tick off my one remaining strength target, which is Deadlifts (achieved Military Press, Bench & Squats this year). Once I’ve done that I’ll reassess and see where I want to go next. The sum of all my current strength targets is 555kg and 600 is a nice round number; I suspect I’ll be there or thereabouts by the time I hit 200kg for deadlifts.
I’m thinking Q2/3 may be a cutting & maintaining phase where some cardio may sneak back in again, which will be good for overall health before another reassessment for Q4 and what I want at that point.
The 10km has always been a working target for standard distance racing but mixing it up with sprints last year exposed my lack of speed over the short course. I’m a bit of a diesel engine and tend to negative split races so going all out will be a mind shift
The first crack at at a sub 17 will be at the Edinburgh park run next week with my son as he attempts to go sub 15:30
Goal 1. Continue my weight loss arc, about 5kg to go now and I will be happy.
Goal 2. Back to Triathlon. I have a couple of Sprints booked in in spring, ultimate goal is a 70.3 either late summer or early 27.
Goal 3. Swimming. I want to be a much better swimmer, not just for Tri, but generally. I find myself very jealous of those who are completely at home in the water, I have never been that confident in the the pool.
It’s almost impossible for me to think about meaningful goals with so many health questions up in the air (thankfully, one of those answered today). I’m not sure if I’m headed to surgery for my back or something else for my stomach.
So it’s hard to set goals because I don’t know what I will be able to handle and more crucially, what I should be handling. There is an engine in there ‘somewhere’
Definitely going to look more closely at the LDWA this year. We have a family membership and didn’t attend anything. Consistency and more cross training activity is a must, whatever that looks like.
Work needs to calm down, but it won’t, I know that, so have to adjust my sails there.
One thing I said i wanted 2025 to be was ‘a year of the house’. Lots of jobs need doing, not really fixing but making the house better/nicer. I really only tackled the WFH office with any earnest.
Finally commiting to posting this list after being reminded by the hour power thread. 2 years of other priorities but hoping exercise will play bigger part again this year:
520 hours exercise (AVG 6.3hrs so far so got some catching up to do)
140km monthly AVG running (calendar year PB)
Sub 3 marathon (3:10 PB in IM)
Sub 17:30 5km (16:59 PB but think that’s a stretch)
Bike 330W 1 hour (Equal to PB)
Sub 12:30 1000m swim (might be ~13:00-13:15 now).
Hoping/expecting time availability to increase in April.
Bit of a shambles here so far. Haven’t made a start on the windows & pretty sure I’ve exceeded the year’s alcohol ration already, despite dry January which lasted until the 16th. Let’s not mention swimming.
The two athletic goals I’m still gunning for are: 18mXX 5km, and >=365 hours of exercise in the year.
The overarching goal, if I’m honest, really ought to be to sort out the mess that is my current work and living arrangement. I’m a bit of a nomad at the moment.
Even though it’s early on in the year, there’s a few adjustments needed to my goals.
Cycling
Complete the Audax UK Super Randonneur award for riding a 200, 300, 400 and 600k Audax in the year. I’ve got events planned for all except the 400.
In 2027 it’s Paris-Brest-Paris, and I think I’d like to enter it. It’s a two year process so this year, I have to complete a 600km BRM audax. I’ve entered the Bryan Chapman 600, so this puts a bit more pressure on having to complete it. I could also potentially do a 1000km ride, but I’m not sure the dates will work out.
Run
Initially do 2 runs / week and then by March, be running 3 times per week.
Nope and nope. Having issues with my foot again, so running isn’t happening and therefore….
Get to the start line of the Lakesman Tri
This isn’t happening.
Do 2 strength / stretching sessions per week 20mins / session at home.
Yeah, no. Not happened either, despite having a very weak core which is probably contributing to my foot problem. I’ve found a local gym that does regular and relatively inexpensive Pilates and yoga sessions, so will join and see how it goes.
that’s gotta be a win 
in the last 10km and that oxygen requirement goes through the roof with muscle damage etc.