New Year, Same Love for Training — With More Intention

The start of a new year always brings a little extra motivation, but instead of big, flashy resolutions, my focus this year is simple: do things with more intention.

Last year taught me a lot—not just about training and racing, but about how I want this whole process to feel. I was reminded how powerful community is, how important it is to truly respect easy days, and how much calmer (and more effective) training becomes when you trust the plan—even when injuries or setbacks pop up. I want to carry those lessons into this year and build on them.

Having Fun With Training and Racing

One of my biggest goals this year is to have fun with training and racing again. Not that it hasn’t been fun before—but it’s easy to let pressure creep in when you care deeply about performance. This year, I’m choosing curiosity and enjoyment alongside structure.

I have a full and exciting race calendar that I’m genuinely looking forward to:

• Ville to Ville in April

• St. Anthony’s Triathlon in April

• Clemson Triathlon in June

• 4th of July 5k

• Olympic/Sprint Triathlon National Championships in August

• And hopefully a marathon in October or November

Rather than obsessing over outcomes, I want to show up prepared, present, and excited to race. I want to enjoy the training blocks that lead into these races just as much as the finish lines.

Consistency Over Perfection (Especially With Strength Training)

Another big focus this year is consistency with strength training. Not doing it perfectly. Not doing the hardest version every time. Just showing up week after week.

To help with this, I’m creating weekly and broader monthly plans for myself. Nothing overly rigid—but enough structure to keep me accountable and honest about what I’m actually doing versus what I meant to do.

I know myself well enough to know that motivation comes and goes. Structure is what keeps things moving forward when motivation dips.

Accountability Through Community

One thing I learned last year is how much working out with friends changes everything. It makes hard days feel lighter, easy days more enjoyable, and consistency way easier.

This year, I’m intentionally planning weekly workouts with friends—runs, rides, lifts, whatever fits. It’s not about pushing each other to exhaustion; it’s about showing up together and staying connected through movement.

The 20-Minute Rule

Another tool I’m leaning into this year is something that’s worked really well for me: the 20-minute rule.

If I feel unmotivated or stuck in a slump on a day that calls for a harder workout, my only goal is to do 20 minutes of an easier version of what was planned. Most of the time, once I get moving, the fog lifts and I end up completing more than I expected. And if it doesn’t? That’s okay too.

If after 20 minutes I still feel flat, I give myself permission to take it easy that day. No guilt. No spiraling. Just listening to my body and trusting that one lighter day doesn’t derail anything.

Lessons I’m Carrying Forward

Last year reinforced a few things I don’t want to forget:

• Training is more fun when you don’t do it alone

• Easy days need to be truly easy

• When injuries arise, staying calm and following a plan beats panic every time

Those lessons shape how I’m approaching this year—not just as an athlete, but as a physical therapist and coach too.

Here’s to a year of intentional training, meaningful races, strong bodies, and plenty of miles shared with friends.