BHAG 2026 - Working the Plan

I had some big goals in 2025 and was able to successfully completely the two major ones.  My first marathon went alright but definitely a lot of room for improvement with my nutrition and speed.  My 5th 1/2 Ironman Triathlon also went alright with room to improve speed in all three disciplines especially the bike, and definitely more fine tuning on the nutrition.

I have tentatively joined the Ames Masters swim team.  I went to swim with the crew at the urging of a friend and I got through a 2200 yard swim with A LOT of stroke work (butterfly, breaststroke, and backstroke) and felt okay.  I'll probably go back and try again next week.  Definitely helps that I was a competitive swimmer 35 years ago, and that I swim an hour a week already (2 - 30 minute sessions).  Keeping with my twice a week swims will double my time in the pool.

I also showed up for middle aged soccer.  There is an adult club in town I used to play with but it had been three years.  I made it through almost two hours of playing last Sunday until I started to feel a tad of a strain so I got off the pitch.  I'll take a weekend off and give it another go in November. I was a lot faster when I was doing sprints on the soccer field once a week so this may be part of my building back up my run speed.

So what are my big hairy awesome goals for 2026? Well to continue to work to get stronger, rest when I need to rest, and keep working hard on my fitness and hobbies.  The big one though, is to do an Ironman Triathlon.  I had this on my bucket list for 2021 but we know how that ended up and now I will be five years older and well into my 50s, still fighting MS, but I've proven to myself with preparation is success this year.  So I am on a mission to tackle this BHAG and complete an Ironman Triathlon in 2026.  There is a chance something will stop me from getting there but I believe I can do it so best case scenario I will succeed.  Worst case I will have to try again another year.

Tentative 2026 Race Schedule:

• January 24th - Girls on the Run Indoor Tri - 400 swim, 7 mile bike, 2 mile treadmill run 
• February 7th - Cold outdoor 5k run (will do if no snow) - Speed goal 28 min.
• March 8th (tentative) - Time to Paddy 10k - Goal under one hour.  Alternative race available later in March at the same distance.
• April 25th - Drake Relays Half Marathon (already signed up) - Goal 2:15
• May 17th (Brrr tentative) - Kansas City Olympic Tri - (1500m Swim - 40K Bike - 10K Run)
• June 13th - Ironman 70.3 Boulder - (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run)Tentative System Check - Work nutrition and a strong leg in all three disciplines = Goal under 7 hours
  
• June 28th - Ames sprint triathlon (in my home town)
• August 29th - Clear Lake Olympic Triathlon (tentative)
• October 18th - Ironman Sacramento 140.6 (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run) 

Any of my tri friends want to do it with me?  Any friends and family want to come cheer me on?  I am hoping this is a one and done with great conditions and perfect training as I only want to finish one within the allotted time. Then I will have checked off all the triathlon distances and I can just focus on the occasional 70.3 and shorter stuff going forward.                                                                                                                            One thing I know is I will have to work hard.  I will also be fund raising for my MS Society team.  If you didn't donate this year and would like to you can do so at this link: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participants/604229? 

So my question for you is what BHAG is pestering you?  And what are you going to do about it?  Let's encourage each other to reach our goals and support each other in our discomfort, because in discomfort that is where we grow.  As always thanks for reading.