Plan the work, work the plan

This is what happens when I get bored at work. I pull out a calendar, a pencil, and I start mapping out my training and race schedule for 2008. OK, not all of 2008, just the part until Sept. 14. That's not too bad, is it?

It's still a rough schedule, because I'm waiting to a few dates to be confirmed, but assuming things take place when they say they will, or on the usual weekend, I know almost all of my races for next year. There's been some talk of doing a triathlon relay with some friends (Team Crocular), which we can coordinate some time in the future. I have a mix of running, cycling and triathlon events. Enough to keep my appetite whet, but not too many for burnout (I hope). What does it look like? Here's the rough version:

January 12-13: Goofy's Race and Half Challenge
May 10: Mississauga Marathon 10k
May 18: Niagara Classic
June 1: Milton Triathlon
June 15: Muskoka Chase
June 21-22: Ride to Conquer Cancer
July 20: Niagara Triathlon
August 16-17: Jewel in the Wilderness
September 1: Oakville Half-marathon
September 14: Muskoka Ironman 70.3

That should keep me out of trouble, eh? I've also started roughing out the training plan. Based on some reading I've done lately, I'm getting away from 4 week blocks (21 days on/7 recover), and switching to 3 weeks (16 days on/5 recover). This will allow me some more recovery, but I'll always be able to keep my long rides/runs on the weekends. Two weeks after Goofy, the first of eleven blocks begins (those weeks will be for full recovery, swimming, probably some light riding, but few if any runs). The first couple of blocks will be about building saddle time, and starting to rebuild some run mileage. Blocks 4-5 will be run focused again, to build early season speed. There will be another run focus in block 9. All of 5 day recovery periods will only have the scheduled swims, bike commuting, and a daily 3 mile LSD run.

There's still lots of detail to work out, but I guess there's also lots of time to do that in. I may be a bit obsessive, but I'm a planner, so this is how I operate. I would assume that by January 1st, I'll know every workout I'll do for the next 9 months. Then I just have to do them, and that's the fun part.