Setting New Goals

In addition to my goals I set for myself that are strength/oly lifting based, Joey Warren, set additional goals for me.
1. Fran sub 5
2. Helen sub 9
3. 5k Row @ 2:15 pace
4. 1k Run in 4min
5. FGB (350 womens weight) (300 mens weight)
These are great goals to keep me driven and determined. If I break each goal down this is how I look at it;
1. A sub 5 Fran is doable for me, I actually would like to see myself more at a sub 4 time. I have only done Fran once and that was over two years ago in 6 minutes, so I think I could do a sub 5 Fran now. I will put myself to the test sometime soon.
2. A sub 9 Helen would be a great score. Last time I did Helen, I suffered a lot on the runs. Now that I have been adding running work outs into my programming, I feel confident that I could complete a sub 9 Helen within the next few months.
3. A 5k Row sounds awful. I know I could keep a 2:15 pace for a few thousand meters, but I don't know about 5,000 so this is something I will have to keep working towards. Plus rowing just sucks, I am not a fan.
4. A 1k run in 4 minutes would mean I can do two laps at a 6 minute mile pace (1:30/400m) and that will give me another minute to run the extra half lap. I think this is doable for me. I am actually quite fast when I sprint, and 1k is a lot longer than I would want to run, but I still think it is short enough for me to be able to maintain a quick pace.
5. FGB of 300 at the men's weight is doable. It will be tough, but the weight is light enough to handle, I just have to plan it and pace myself towards a 300 point score.

I just started a 5 week olympic lifting cycle, on top of the OPT training I do. The goal of the cycle is to improve my max olympic lifts. I also have incorporated running into my training(i.e. hill sprints, long trail runs, races, etc) at least twice a week. This sounds like a lot on my plate, but it really isn't. I have nothing else to do right now. Once school starts up I will be a lot busier and distracted. It will be my last year in college so I know there will be times when I stray away from training to enjoy myself a little. Right now, my life sounds ridiculous because I have all the time in the world to do whatever I want, but this is as good as it gets and it is only temporary. I will start school in September and I have to take 19 units so I've got my work cut out for me. Right now I need to keep myself on task and see where I can be by the end of the summer. Rest days will be extremely important, as right now I am finding almost everyday to be a double or triple. I am starting to clean up my diet and sleeping better, but there is always room for improvement. I cannot commit to a true Paleo diet at this point in my life, but I can try my hardest to eat the cleanest I can without stressing out. I still enjoy my ice cream, slurpees, oreos, candy, sandwiches, Patron shots, etc... but in small doses. I try to take naps daily and sleep at least 9 hours per night, but that isn't always the case. If I can eat well and sleep well, I am sure it will only help me attain my goals, but it is always easier said than done.
There comes a point in everyone's life when you realize you must change something or you will just keep doing what you've always done, and getting the same results you have always gotten. This time came to me during the open/regionals. It blew my mind that I got my ass handed to me in the open by the individuals I saw competing during regionals. I know I didn't really work that hard in my training building up to the Open, but once I realized the level of competition had really increased, I decided to make a commitment and get my ass in shape for next year. The commitment was a little late for the 2011 open/regional time period, but it's just in time for 2012. That's mainly what has inspired this blog; I am tired of just being okay. I want to be better than that, and this blog has helped hold me accountable for the things I do and doubles as a constant reminder of my goals. I have taken a week off here and there, but this is still the most consistent I have been, and the hardest I have ever been working. I will keep working towards my recently set goals, ultimately preparing myself to be competitive next year.