Setting goals is an important part of any athletic training and life in general. They provide purpose, direction and allow us to develop strategies to achieve them. Many people tell me I’m “crazy” or “insane” for trying to take on certain challenges in life but I can’t help but wonder what I’m capable of. The only way to answer that question is to keep pushing my own limits and setting bigger and larger goals for myself.
When setting goals for yourself, I would encourage you to consider the following:
- What is your “Why” or your purpose?
- What specifically do you want to achieve?
- What are the small steps that you need to take daily/weekly to achieve your goal?
- How will you measure and or track your progress? How will you determine success?
As an example, here are some of my goals.
Make a small impact on my little part of the world and leave it better than it was.
- Why: When I was growing up, my mom told me, “You don’t have to change the whole world. Just try to make a difference in your little piece of it and leave it better than you found it.” She may not even remember telling me that but I took it to heart and now consider it my life purpose.
- How: I’ve broken this into smaller goals that I think will lead to achievement of the larger goal, including but not limited to:
- Be kind to everyone. Listen and show empathy towards others. Pay things forward.
- Help others in any way I can. Even if it is just holding a door for someone or picking up trash on the sidewalk.
- Continue my own education/learning and teach others the most impactful things I discover.
- Tracking/Current Progress: I don’t actually track this one but Marty and I frequently take time to reflect on our lives and this practice helps me to get a sense if I’m on track. More likely than not, my success or failure won’t be able to be determined until after I’m gone.
Finish 20 marathons (26.2 miles) in 10 years.
- Why: My dad accomplished this goal. His last marathon was my first marathon, we both ran it although he beat me by a significant amount of time. I’ve romanticized this idea and look at it as a kind of passing of the torch.
- How: Complete at least 2 marathon distance races per year. Design and follow a training plan for each race. Complete daily workouts according to the plan.
- Tracking: I keep a spreadsheet with all of my completed races and times.
- Current Progress: I’ve completed 16 marathons so far, beginning with the Wineglass Marathon on 9/30/2012. I have 4 more to complete before 9/30/2022 in order to achieve this goal. When I was diagnosed with T1, I had completed 10 marathons and I’m now determined not to let this stop me from achieving this goal.
Finish a Marathon, 50k & 50 mile race as a Type 1 Diabetic.
- Why: Before I was diagnosed, I completed races that were each of these distances. When I was diagnosed, I decided that I had to prove to myself that I can be just as good, if not better, with T1 than I was before T1.
- How: Sign up for races that are each of the above distances. Design and follow a training plan for each race. Complete daily workouts according to the plan.
- Tracking: I keep a spreadsheet with all of my completed races and times. Going forward, I’ll also share them with you all here!
- Current Progress: On 3/31/2018, I completed the Naked Prussian Marathon, my first since T1 diagnosis. On 7/6/2019, I completed the Finger Lakes 50s 50k Ultramarathon, my first since T1 diagnosis. I signed up to attempt my first T1 50 mile race in November 2020 (wish me luck)! 🙂
Obtain a PR as a Type 1 Diabetic for all race distances.
- Why: This is also an effort to prove to myself that I can be just as good, if not better, with T1 than I was before T1.
- How: Sign up for races that are each of the above distances. Design and follow a training plan for each race. Complete daily workouts according to the plan.
- Tracking: I keep a spreadsheet with all of my completed races and times.
- Current Progress:
- 5k: 23:32 in 2017
- 5 mile: 39:08 in 2019
- 10k: Best time before T1 diagnosis
- 10 mile: Best time before T1 diagnosis
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles): Best time before T1 diagnosis
- Full Marathon (26.2 miles): Best time before T1 diagnosis
- 50k: Best time before T1 diagnosis
- 50 Miles: Best time before T1 diagnosis
Stay healthy & appropriately manage Type 1 Diabetes and other health issues that arise.
- Why: I can’t accomplish any of my other goals without my health
- How: Stay up to date on the latest health & diabetes research. Form healthy habits and implement healthy strategies. Conduct ongoing self-experiments to optimize my health.
- Tracking: Continuous Glucose Monitoring aiming for 80% in range or better, Quarterly A1C checks and routine blood work, Daily/Weekly tracking of body weight/muscle mass/sleep health/nutrition.
- Current Progress: On or close to target in all areas! Just trying to maintain and or optimize! Keep an eye on future blog posts to track my success/failures!
Note: As much as possible, I’ll try to update this as I make progress on my goals but feel free to follow me here or on social media for the most updated information.
What are your goals & how far will you go to achieve them?
Additional related resources that I’ve found helpful below:
Simon Sinek’s TED Talk on beginning with “Why”: https://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action?language=en
The 4 Disciplines of Execution:
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*The content on this site is not intended to be medical advice. Always consult your doctor before beginning a fitness regimen or adjusting your diabetes management strategy.
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