Help me find a fitness goal

slbbw
slbbw Posts: 329 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am very driven by external motivation and I need a new fitness goal. I have done distance running as my standard for the past 15 years or so off and on (mostly 10Ks with a few HM and a marathon in there). I am coming off 4 months of mostly indoor gym stuff and will be adding outdoor running back in in 3-6 mile range at least to start. My usually yearly races are not happening this year and so I do not have an easy race to train for. I am really enjoying lifting right now, but I have been doing mostly circuit classes and feel no real external motivation there. I have done triathlons in the past, but I have a 4 and 8 year old and worry tri-training is not conducive with small children and trying to fit in lifting. I used to do mostly indoor rock climbing and am considering that again with the family in tow. Also considering adding a lifting program, which should help me see progress, but I am currently limited to dumbells only.

I need a goal or a race or something to aim for. Any ideas? I'm the fittest I've been in 12 years (when I was doing tri's) so no real limitation on what I can pick. Time is really the main limitation. I am currently doing something 5 days a week and then I like to do family activities on the weekend.

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    If you enjoyed the triathlons you could focus on shorter course races (sprint & oly) without sacrificing too much family time. Or if you want to change things up from running go for a cycling event (Grand Fondo?) if there are local one you could participate in.

  • pierinifitness
    pierinifitness Posts: 2,226 Member
    How about challenging yourself with a military PT test? I did in my early 50’s as a birthday challenge.

    I chose to train for the Marine PT Test which then consisted of pull-ups, abdominal crunches and a 3-mile run. My goal was to score 250 points not age-adjusted (300 is perfect score). Didn’t get it first year birthday test but got it in 3rd year.

    I generally gave myself a 6-8 week preparation period and tested on my birthday. Then I’d go back to regular training. It was a great use of my training time and I had fun doing it.

    If not a military test, find something to your liking which may have rep performance and time completed performance goals. I regularly do this and like the test aspect.

    Currently, I have a goal of completing 100 pull-ups in 20 minutes and 100 bar dips in 15 minutes. I have others involving KB complex completed in a certain time.

    I think for best results, a 6-8 week training period then the test should wet your whistle. Afterwards, you return to your regular training.

    Hope you find your next challenge sweet spot. Train smart and be safe.
  • meganpettigrew86
    meganpettigrew86 Posts: 349 Member
    Take up a martial art, your family can do this too. Go hiking in the weekend, aim for a certain number of family miles.
  • kdbulger
    kdbulger Posts: 396 Member
    I'd look for a destination race in the fall. See if you can aim for a personal best at the 10 or 15k distance, and bring your family on vacation to race weekend.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    I second shorter distance tris. You're already in such good shape, training shouldn't take a huge amount of time. Event attendance can become a family outing. Look for some kids tris as well, then tri can become family activity. Check out Women for Tri facebook group.
  • ca_josh
    ca_josh Posts: 35 Member
    Do a muscle-up. It requires months of training or peak physical fitness.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    https://www.audax.org.au/public/
    https://rusa.org/
    http://www.aukweb.net/
    http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/

    And many more ...
    http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/links/links.html
  • littlegreenparrot1
    littlegreenparrot1 Posts: 702 Member
    Have a look at obstacle course races, I find them tremendous fun.
    You are already running and strength training so probably wouldn't be much additional to do.

    I have seen some that run parallel events for kids, even one where you can take the dog :smile:
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,610 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    https://www.audax.org.au/public/
    https://rusa.org/
    http://www.aukweb.net/
    http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/

    And many more ...
    http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/links/links.html

    Just in case you didn't know ... this is timed ultra-distance cycling. :)
  • slbbw
    slbbw Posts: 329 Member
    Thanks everybody for the ideas. I have a baseline for Army PT of 230 and I will use that to measure progress. All the tri suggestion have convinced me at least to join the pool this summer and see where I can get with that. Swimming is my weakest event by far. I did my first run back outdoors this morning and felt really good, so I am considering a half for the fall, or a tri if I think I can swing it. The muscle-up is a nice goal, I have to work on the pull-up first though and I think I will add that in.

    I am going to use the next month or so to add some new stuff and see then what feels like good motivation.

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