02/12/2008

I've been working with Jeff Lockwood (Elite Cycling Coach and owner of Lifesport Inc.) for a number of years.  Each year, Coach Lockwood asks his clients to complete a goal setting document for the upcoming year.  I haven't posted this document in the past, but I want a more readily available version so I refer to it easily so I'm posting a slightly modified copy here.

Evaluation and Goal Setting 2007-2008

·    Evaluate your overall performance from this past season; to include training program, physical, psychological development, pre-existing goals and actual accomplishments.

2007

·    Write out your goals for next year.  To assist you in the effort, please read the following considerations. 

•  Goals should be quantifiable and specific: Specific goals direct activity more reliably than general goals.  Many times athletes set only long term, far-off goals without focusing enough energy on the present.  It is the present that gets you to the future in the manner in which you wish to get there.

•  Goals should be within your control: You can control only yourself, not your opponents or the external world, which should include “outcomes”.  When pursuing excellence, it is best to focus your energy on specific aspects of performance that are potentially within your control, i.e., your skills, such as your preparation and execution of racing tactics.

•   Goals should be challenging, yet realistic: Goals that are too difficult are hard to take seriously; goals that are too easy will not stimulate you to improve.  Translate your goals into specific actions, such as training workouts, tactical moves, techniques and competitive plans.

•   Goals should be “yours”: It is very important that you and you alone establish exactly what goals you will select.  No one should influence your goals including your coach.

2008 Long Term Goal(s):

1. Complete an international ultra-endurance event or tour

2. Compete solo in the Furnace Creek 508

3. Complete the American Randonneur Challenge (two 1200k’s in one year)

2008 Intermediate Goals:

1. Complete the North American based 1200k events (Cascade 1200, Colorado Last Chance, Boston Montreal Boston, Gold Rush, Rocky Mountain)

2. Get a Platinum time of 7:45 at the Cochise 157 mile event

3. Complete the California “Triple Crown” stage race and finish in the top 10 (3 specific CA Double Centuries in one year)

2008 Short Term Goals:

1.  Re-establish a consistent training and set day to day training goals.  This will involve creating a new routine that has minimal bicycle commute to work time.

2.  Progressively work my way up to doing the Mulholland Double on April 12^th.  This will include building up base miles with a goal to complete Mine Country Challenge in March and potentially the Solvang Century in late March.

3.  Ultimately, my main goal for 2008 is to complete three California double centuries to earn the California Triple Crown (not necessarily the stage race).  Targeted double centuries are the Mulholland Double (April 12^th), Central Coast Double (May 10^th) and the Terrible Two (June 21^st).  These three events compose the California Triple Crown Stage Race.  If I am unable to complete one of these events, I’ll identify an alternate double.

Racing/Psychological

 1.  Treat the past few months as an “artificial injury.”  I can’t expect to return at the same level I was at last year in January.  Mentally it is important to remember that I need to build base miles back up to a level that allows me to comfortably finish a double century.

2.  Improve warm-up period and self awareness of effort.  I still tend to start rides too hard.  Prior to starting an event I intend to define a time for riding at zone 1/2 and will monitor my effort.

3.  Arrive at events with sufficient time that I don’t feel rushed and can include a good warm up period.  I’ve been bad about arriving shortly before an event.  I think mentally this contributes to an unconcious reaction to start faster than I should.

 Other

 1.  The same as 2007, adjust my work/life balance.  This will involve making some changes with my work schedule to ensure I have reserved time to train effectively.

2.  Join the local distance oriented clubs  to find people to carpool to events with and to ride events with.

3.  Be more flexible with my schedule this year to accommodate a more flexible training schedule.  This includes changing my weekend “off” days as necessary to accommodate family and cycling priorities (Saturday will no longer be a fixed day off, but typically one day during the weekend will be an off day).

I agree to the above performance goals and will do everything possible within the boundaries of fair and honest play in order to reach these performance goals.

 Signature of Athlete: __Mike Enfield (via email)_ Date: ___1/29/2008___________

Please keep a copy of this goal setting agreement so that you can refer to it. It is recommended that you place a copy in a readily available area so that you can consult your goals frequently. These goals are meant as a means to aid in your continued development as an athlete.  

My philosophy of life is that if we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose - somehow we win out.

- Ronald Reagan