Goal Setting for Endurance Athletes
Host, Head Coach and Performance Dietitian Chris Newport interviews Coach Ryan in his unique approach to goal setting for endurance athletes, which he calls ENDUP. He was unsatisfied by some of the other goal setting methods, and this one works great for working with endurance athletes, so he’s sharing his technique.
Use this ENDUP Goal Sheet for The Endurance Edge to follow along and create your own goals. Remember to write them down as they’re more likely to occur when you do so!
Keep these things in mind when you’re working on your goals:
- A goal is positive. “I will not fail” is negative; “I will finish” is positive.
- A goal represents multiple levels. “I will finish” is singular; “I will finish feeling strong and accomplished” uses multiple layers of achievement.
- A goal explains how you will know you’ve achieved it. “I will finish feeling strong and accomplished” does not explain how you will know it to be true. “I will finish feeling strong and accomplished by appreciating the moment, celebrating at the finish line, and by demonstrating pride.”
Here are the steps to goal setting for endurance athletes:
E – Where do you want to End Up? What is your goal? (be sure to be positive, multilayered, and set yourself up for explanation).
N – What do you Need? You understand that, you can’t match that goal tomorrow which means you are missing something you need. What skills, knowledge, and/or support do you need to end up with the result you wrote above?
D – Determine your attitudes and behaviors that you will adopt, to gain the skills and knowledge that you need, to end up achieving your goal.
U – Uncover predictable barriers and obstacles that are threats to Steps 1-3.
P – Plan and Perform. This is where you map out your calendar for the season, identify opportunities for growth, and engage in a weekly (if not even daily) plan.
Is this where you want to EndUp? Can you Perform this Plan while accounting for your barriers you Uncovered? Did you Determine the proper attitude and behavioral habits to learn the skills and knowledge you Need to EndUp achieving your vision of success?
Ideally, bounce your goals and ideas off of a neutral third party, like a coach or friend instead of a family member, in order to elicit constructive feedback.
Need some help on your goal setting?
We enjoy working with endurance athletes just like you! Learn more about our coaching programs here, our Triathlon Team here (and classes!) and our nutrition services here.
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