Desired Outcomes for Long-Term Goals

by Russell Tibbits

In training for my first triathlon I learned about workouts called bricks. Bricks are two activities back-to-back. So a brick would not just be a run, but a run and a bike workout, or a swim then a bike workout. They are more intense than a single activity and are meant to train your body and your mind to switch from one activity to another without rest or recovery time. For one of the last workouts before my triathlon, I planned a swim at a free neighborhood pool followed by a three mile run.

I waited for the heat of the day to pass and showed up at Big Stacey Pool at 7:45PM…without my goggles. Angry with myself, I rushed home and returned 10 minutes later mentally prepared for a grueling workout. After stretching for five minutes I entered the pool to be greeted by the lifeguard’s whistle announcing the 8PM close. A 25 meter swim wasn’t quite the intense workout for which I had prepared. Like a child, I stomped back to my car, steam pouring from my ears, disappointed that I had wasted time forgetting my goggles and not getting to the pool early enough.

Calming myself, I focused on my desired outcome for the day’s events; a successful swim before my run around Town Lake. Because I knew my desired outcome, I determined quickly what my next action should be. With a credit card but no cash on hand, I decided to drive to another pool, knowing it was open for at least another hour and hoping that they took credit. I arrived to find out that they did take credit, but only for season passes. But fortune was on my side. The pool was out of season passes and let me swim that day for free. Taking the next action, I was able to complete a solid swim workout. And because this pool was closer to Town Lake, I immediately threw my running shoes on for the second half of my workout.

Looking back on that evening, it would have been so easy for me to give up when I hit the first, or second, roadblock. But I was able to refer back to my desired outcome for this small event and stay focused on how it would help me with my much larger event, my first triathlon. Having this desired outcome kept me on track not only for this brick workout in my immediate future, but my long term goal.