Time is flying! It’s halfway through the year already. All 2021 goals have been completed and there’s nothing left to do for the rest of the year…. hmmm perhaps not.

As we’re at the midpoint of 2021, I thought I’d do a brief analysis and see how I’m tracking against the goals made at the start of the year. 

“Goal setting is essential if we want to achieve that which we do not know is possible.”

I’ll need to prioritise those that I’m behind on, and stay on track for those I’m currently hitting.

Collect first round of UTMB Qualification Points

Run Surf Coast Century & collect 4 Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB) Points – this will get me on my way to the 10 points needed to enter the ballot for the UTMB.

On track. I’ve signed up for the Surf Coast Century (SCC) 100 km event and well into my training block. Things are looking good.

With the recent changes to the UTMB qualification process, I’m still waiting to see how this will play out. Hopefully I can still use these points to qualify for the ballot.

Run over 2021 kms

Pretty self explanatory. Try to do a little better than last year. My training loads as I prepare for several of my events I have in my Upcoming Race Schedule, should naturally carry me over the 2021 kms mark. An easy one to tick off at the end of the year? Perhaps.

I’m a little behind (750 kms completed) on this one but confident I can still reach 2021 kms. I was injured for a few weeks in the early part of the year and out with a short illness recently which is why my numbers are a little under what I was hoping they would be. Once I complete the training block for SCC and maintain a good base for the rest of the year, I should reach 2021 kms by the end of 2021.

Swim 200 km

For recovery and to build my upper body strength I’ll utilise the two words most hated by runners – cross training! I found in the tail end of 2020, swimming improved my breathing, the recovery of my knee and muscles as well as improving my upper body strength. Let’s face it, as runners, we need to improve that upper body and lose those runners arms! At 200 km a year, this is around 6 swims a month. Definitely achievable.

Waaaaaay behind on this one. I’ve swam just over 50 km for the year. Well behind my target to date of 100 kms. I’d like to say that this one is entirely due to COVID19 restrictions (which in part is true). But, I haven’t kept up with my swimming. I’m a little disappointed in this one as I do believe it helps with my strength and recovery. I’ll try to catch up but I think 200 kms for the year is out of reach. 150 kms might be more realistic.

Strength Sessions

Strength session once a week minimum! With a particular focus on leg strength. Elevation gain and descents are areas of improvement that are needed for the types of events I’m looking to enter. Still in recovery and looking to ease back in, this may look easier in the new year but with a renewed focus throughout the winter period.

I’m not sure this one even started. Before a few weeks ago when I had another look at this goals list, I didn’t think I had done any specific strength work. However, in the last couple of weeks, I’ve been doing some wall sits, calf raises and squats. Not sure if it’s specific strength work but I’ve also been doing 20 min on the foam roller after each run. I have found this tremendously beneficial so I’ll endeavour to keep this going.

Be a Parkrun Tourist – 20 Parkruns @ 5 different locations

I’ve set the challenge to tackle 5 new Parkruns for the year. I’ve set it at 20 events (with a hope to do more) due to getting the balance right with family commitments. Looking forward to a return to those post parkrun coffees though!

Another challenging one due to COVID restrictions with many of the Victorian Parkruns shut for many weeks. Regardless, I’ve managed to get to 11 Parkruns and volunteer at another 3. On track for minimum 20 for the year. I need to get to a few more new ones (different locations) but I’ll get there for those. It’s looking like I’ll achieve this one fairly comfortably.

Enter More Races

In addition to the Kilcunda Half Marathon, Razorback Run, Great Ocean Road Marathon, Wonderland and Surf Coast Century (see 2021 schedule) enter another 3 events. Practice race day preparation and continue to gain experience in the execution of race strategy.

Another goal which has been somewhat dependant on COVID restrictions. I didn’t expect to do the 2 Bays Trail Run 28 kms and I’m booked in for the You Yangs Trail Run 30 kms coming up in a couple of weeks. I was also scheduled to do a triathlon as part of a team (swim and run legs) but got injured. We managed to get a credit for a race next season so that should be another one for 2021. At this stage the Wonderland Run looks unlikely due to it being too close to the SCC. I’ll try and find another couple of races for the later part of the year.

Nutrition – Cut back on Bread/Carbs

In 2020, bread was my go to meal for breakfast and lunch. Whenever I cut back, I felt better, not as heavy. In 2021, I’m looking to cut back on my bread intake, prioritise higher protein consumption and look into other areas of my diet that can be improved.

Nailed it! Not that I have ever (or would ever) count specific calories or cut out certain foods completely but I have noticed a difference in cutting down on carbs. I’ve been trying to eat more salads and protein (chicken and fish) which I enjoy. This one is difficult to measure but I’m pretty happy with how things are going for this one.

Read 6 Running Books

Because if you’re not running, why not be reading about running!

Do audiobooks count? I think so. We’ve nailed this one too then! I’ve read Running with the Kenyans by Adaranand Finn, The Ultra Mindset by Travis Macy and Life is a Marathon by Matt Fitzgerald. The first two of these were exceptional and I would definitely recommend them. I’m currently reading The Way of the Runner also by Adaranand Finn. Does it also count that I have relistened to The Rise of the Ultra Runners by guess who, Adaranand Finn? Maybe not.

Blog Goals

At least one new post a week. Grow JourneytoChamonix viewers.

• 5000 visitors to JourneytoChamonix
• 20,000 page views
• 200 JourneytoChamonix Blog subscribers
• 1000 Instagram subscribers

I’m not going to go into detail on this one too much. I definitely overestimated what my audience would be (and the smaller amount of posts than expected may not have helped) at this early stage. I’m really happy with how things are going although I need to get a little more consistent with my posting and uploading. We’ll get there. It’s a learning process.

How are you going with your 2021 Goals?