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#MotivationMonday: Setting Goals

As I went through my social media today and saw all of the great #motivationmonday video and quotes, I really thought about what motivates me.  One of the big things that I know works for me is goal setting.  When I very first started getting into running and triathlon, a good friend and colleague suggested that I set 3 goals.  Knowing that I am a bit competitive/type A, I think that she did not want me to be disappointed if I didn't get a PR every race.  So my goal setting tradition began.

Every race (well most every race), I set 3 goals.  I call them my Rockstar Goal, Super Happy Goal, and Happy Goal.  I often where the black Fellow Flowers Rockstar flower :-)

Notice the Black Flower on my visor :-)
The goals are determined the same for every race.  Rockstar Goal is to beat my PR for that distance or that race.  If it is a new distance/race I choose a time that I know would take my 110% effort.  Happy goal is often just to finish the race with a smile, especially for the longer distances.  If I do pick a Happy time goal, it is a time that I am 99% certain I can get.  The point of the happy goal is to make it almost impossible to not hit at least one goal - because that is the point of racing, to be happy!  Super Happy goal is somewhere in between, but closer to the Rockstar Goal - maybe only a 95% effort will be required.



I usually post these goals on social media to motivate me during the race.  For example, at Sanford Lake Tri - the announcer had seen my rockstar goal and announced as I left T2 that I had about an hour to make my rockstar goal.  That carried me through the run!!  I really wanted that Rockstar goal!



There are also times (like at Chattanooga, where my happy goal was to finish with a smile) when I can see the Rockstar and Super Happy Goals slip by.  I know it is OK because I will still achieve my Happy Goal and be reminded that every day I get to participate in this sport, with this amazing group of people, is a Happy Day!!  That is the motivation I need to keep moving :-)

That is why, in 2016, I will raise $25,000 for Women For Tri.  I want to help other women find this sport.  I want to help them see that setting goals - BIG and small is healthy and can bring huge rewards.  I want to help other women feel proud of themselves!  Helping others find triathlon is my passion!

Please help Women for Tri reach its goals to increase female participation in triathlon.  Women For Tri began in 2015 and in its first year helped increase female participation in IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events globally by 18 percent with more than 62,000 female athlete participants. In addition, they raised over $100,000 to fund 24 TriClub grants and five collegiate scholarships.  In 2016 they plan to double this effort with two rounds of grants and scholarships to award. 

PS - My Rockstar Goal for Kona is to finish with a smile while gracefully representing the 17,300+ women in the Women for Tri community.  

Edited to add: In 2016 I raised over $27,000 for Women for Tri and had an amazing day at Kona, which you can read about at https://www.thisgirlsgotgoals.com/2016/11/race-report-im-world-championships-kona.html

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