Team Sheeper Goals for 2011: Overview
Every year, Team Sheeper sets annual team goals that include focus races, with internal training events and workouts designed to achieve these goals. Here is a quick glance at the plans for the year, divided into two "seasons" to give your year a flexible and manageable structure with an opportunity to take a break in the middle. Find details about external races on the 2011 Race Plan page. Find out more about our internal training events on the Team Events page.
Season One
- Team: Training Event: Fearsome Foursome, Jan-Apr (Run/Strength, Swim, Epic Ride, Fearsome Tri)
- Team: Running Challenges: 20/20/20 Jan, 30/30/30 Apr
- Morgan Hill Duathlon, Mar
- Reservoir Olympic Triathlon, Apr
- Wildflower Triathlons, Apr
- Metro Triathlon, May
- Team: Wine Country 3-day Bike Tour, May
- Goal Race: Silicon Valley Sprint or International Triathlon, San Jose, Jun
- Goal Race: Ironman 70.3, Honu, Hawaii, Jun
- Goal Race: Roth Ironman Germany Jul
- Vineman 70.3, Jul
Season Two
- Team: Running Challenges: 40/40/40 Aug, year-of-running celebration Nov
- Team: Trail Running Challenges: Dusty and Crusty, Aug-Nov
- Splash and Dash, Aug
- Team: Sierra Altitude Camp, Aug
- Goal Race: Lake Stevens 70.3, Aug
- Goal Race: Santa Cruz Olympic Triathlon, Sep
- Goal Race: Ironman 70.3 Worlds, Las Vegas, Sep
- Team: Santa Barbara 3-day Bike Tour, Oct
- North Face Endurance Challenge Run, Dec
- Team: King Series, Dec
Focus on Running
In 2011, you have an opportunity to bring your running training and performance to a new level. This year there are a number of challenges to get you energized and enthusiastic about running faster, stronger, and without injury.
- 20/20/20 (20 runs in 20 days, 20 min each), January
- 30/30/30 (30 runs in 30 days, 30 min each), April
- 40/40/40 (40 runs in 40 days, 40 min each), August
- Year goal: 100 Days of Rest or 265 Days of Running (you choose which days you rest!)
- Year-Round Epics and Ultimates: Choose an Epic Ride or Ultimate Run once per month for 12 months
- Dusty and Crusty: Trail run series of 4 fun and challenging off-road routes
Level 1 Goals
As a Level 1 athlete, you can set your goals based on your personal objectives. You may wish to try your first sprint triathlon by year's end. Or if you're already a runner and cyclist, you may choose to test new open water swimming skills with a series of middle-distance triathlons. Work with our coaches to establish your own goals for the year.
Level 1 athletes will participate in our internal Team Sheeper events, scaled appropriately. For example, the Epic Ride for Level 1 may consist of half the distance with half the climbing, but you will still set these events as goals and work toward participating. Team adventures are designed so that everyone at every level can be challenged while having a whole lot of fun.
2011 Goals FAQ
Q: Do I need to sign up for one season or the other?
A: No. Our annual goals are simply a way to structure training and encourage personal goal-setting. They have no relation with our membership levels and registration process.
Q: These goals sound intimidating. How do I fit in if everyone on the team is training for long distance races and I'm just trying a sprint for fun?
A: We have many members who are short-distance specialists, are new to the sport, or simply don't have time to train for long distance races. So you won't be alone if a long distance doesn't interest you. Our workouts will prepare you for sprint triathlons just as effectively. And if you're a beginner, join our Level 1 program to train for your first triathlon.
Q: What if I can't go to Hawaii or Las Vegas?
A: Please participate in our workouts and training events even if you don't plan to travel. There are many local half-Ironman races that would be a great substitute, as would our series of Olympic-distance focus races.
Q: I don't know what my plans are for the fall, can I join for just the first half of the year?
A: Our registrations aren't based on our goals, so there's no half-year option. You can sign up for quarterly or monthly payments, but these are automatic debits so you would need to cancel your membership to quit for the second half of the year.
Q: The goals seem fine, but what does this mean for weekly training?
A: Our training schedule is designed to benefit athletes will all sorts of goals, so you will find that early season base-building is followed by gradual introduction of speed work and racing prep. Week to week, the workouts will help you stay healthy while improving strength and endurance over the year. We incorporate strength training, flexibility and core work with ongoing technique and skills training.
