I can distinctly remember writing in several places here on SP that I am not a "goals person." I think I stated this on a poll, in blog comments on pages and in my own blog postings. I guess I have to take back those words. If I look at my page I see several spots where I say early on that I was shooting for a big race (my tri) quite early on. I have been tracking my goal for weeks now, ticking off the days of training with 100% consistency. Hmmm, for a person who does not do goals, that seems rather odd.

Having my TRI up there ahead of me has been a major motivator. When I have not felt like eating the most nutritional foods, when I have wanted to just skip a day of activity, when that feeling of wanting to be a slug all day was gnawing at me, I would see the TRi glowing at the end of that tunnel, persistent in its ability to remind me that I had promised myself I would run the race and being a slug was not going to help me get any closer to even starting that race let alone finishing the race.

Well that's all fine and dandy, but what happens when the TRI is in the rear view mirror? Then what? Do I stop there? Answer: No way! I've been bitten by the '"event" bug. In the past week or so I have had a flurry of signing up for events for the next year: another TRi in Seattle later in September, a charity bike ride in October and last night, propelled by that little seed that I planted a few days ago about a half marathon, I signed up for my first HM in June 2011. I find myself cruising the sport calendars for more triathlons, bike rides and other fun events. I'm looking now more at how to support charities with some of my events. And I am looking for just plain ole fun events. I was excited by two events my neighbor mentioned last night..

As I marked up my calendar with all of those dates, I realized that these new events are serving a fantastic GOAL POSTS for me. Out there ... down the road... I can clearly see the way. Off in the distance are the events serving as very solid goal posts. They shine as bright reminders of what my ultimate goal is: my health. They mark the trajectory from here to "there." I have moments of not always wanting to do what it takes to stay healthy and then I remember my goal posts... and I straighten up, line myself up and shot for the middle of the goal posts.

So I take it back. I guess I am a goals person. My ultimate goal is to enjoy my health. My goal posts are the events I have signed up for in the close and more distance future. I'm a little slow on the uptake sometimes but glad that I finally figured this one out!

And you? Do you have something that serves as your GOAL POSTS? Something that you shot for as you move towards your ultimate goal?

QUOTE: "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." ~ e e cummings

MANTRA: Faith. Fit. Focus.

TRI-ing: A total of 99 days to train. Today is Day 81. Days til race #1: 18...It's getting so REAL!
Training: 25-mile bike ride..in the heat! I was famished after this one! Tried an electrolyte tablet in my water.. ICH!!!! I'm going to have to figure something else out. That was nasty.

PHOTO OF THE DAY: My mountain at day break...