As I write this article, many of our coached athletes at Playtri are in the process of setting goals for the coming season. This is a collaborative process where the athlete does an initial draft of goals and commitments for the coming season, then schedules time to discuss and revise under the guidance of their coach. This allows both parties to get on the same page with priorities and expectations so we can operate better as a team throughout the year.
For some, this is a straightforward process – perhaps their “next steps” in pursuit of a larger goal are already clear, or they are currently mid-process and simply want to continue the work they’ve been doing. For other athletes, goal setting can feel confusing and even burdensome - particularly if they have recently achieved a big goal, and are now wondering “what’s next?” (which is a very normal way to feel, by the way – don’t let it hold you back from continuing to pursue your potential).
Whichever category you fall into, if you are an endurance athlete, I hope you take time this off-season to put your goals into words and review them with a trusted source so that you can start 2026 with a clear vision that will keep you disciplined on the days when motivation is lacking.
As you consider what your priorities will be, I encourage you to keep the following guidance in mind:
1. Start by looking back at some specific data from the current season
This should include objective and subjective data like:
Big wins from the season – anything you were especially proud of
Big challenges from the season – anything that left you feeling dissatisfied (whether it was in or out of your control)
Average weekly hours swim, bike, run and other training
Average weekly frequency of swim, bike, run and other training
How many days or weeks of training did you miss? Were there any big chunks (longer than a couple of days off? Were they due to health, injury, or other logistical challenges?
How many camps did you go to? Were you able to get more or better quality work done at those events?
Current heart rate zones, power and pace for different lengths of time/distances
Current skill gaps that created obstacles for you in racing and/or training
Having this information in front of you should help you determine what your top priorities are and what is realistic, considering the work you have done previously.
2. What do you hope to achieve by setting goals in the first place?
Identifying how you want your goals to serve your short-term and long-term personal development will help you be more intentional with what you are putting in place. Do you want to increase motivation and discipline? Lay a foundation for a bigger goal down the line? Eliminate a nagging injury? Find a better family balance with training? Consider how the goals you set will serve those bigger aims – achieving them should make you feel better about the athlete (and person) you will become in the process.
3. Sometimes time-based goals are good – sometimes they aren’t.
Our brains love a simple path to success, and they love seeing that they are on track for that success. I find that for most endurance athletes, the first instinct when goal setting is to identify a new PR time they would like to achieve. For athletes with time-based goals that are relatively simple to achieve (i.e. improving a 100y best freestyle time from 2:00 to 1:45, or a 5K PR from 45 minutes to 35 minutes), this can be a great pathway to stay motivated and consistent during the season. On the flipside, for athletes with more challenging aspirations (i.e. moving from a 16:00 5K to a 14:59 5K) that are impacted by a wide range of variables both physical and mental, setting time-based goals can end up being a distraction from the work that needs to be done due to the oftentimes up-and-down nature of the development process. In these cases, we want to identify the work or choices that will move the athlete in the direction they want to go, then make the work the stated goal. For example:
An athlete wants to swim an 0:59 100y freestyle – currently their best effort is a 1:10. Some goals for this athlete may include:
Improving walls by working on having a tighter streamline, three dolphin kicks per wall and no breath on the first stroke off the wall
Decreasing their “cruise” stroke count per 25y from 18 strokes to 15 strokes by improving the catch/pull, and the connection of their stroke to their body line and rotation
Bringing their 25y sprint time down from 0:13 to 0:11 by gradually maintaining a higher stroke rate while holding technique
Moving from 3 x 1 hour swim per week to 4 x 1 hour swim per week
Keeping focus on these skill-and-commitment-based goals will help the athlete maintain consistency, even on days when efforts are slower or feel harder (yes, you will have those days). This gives them the best shot at achieving their potential in the goal area.
4. What will it take day-in/day-out to achieve your goals?
…And is that commitment realistic for you? Frequently the demand to meet goals isn’t just dependent on the athlete being willing to show up and work hard at sessions – higher volume/intensity/focus typically requires a bigger investment in recovery (sleep, nutrition, body work, etc.) and potentially sacrifices in other areas of life to maintain sustainability and stay healthy (illness and injury will quickly derail your plans for the season). Be very specific with what you think these commitments and sacrifices will be!
5. Speaking of recovery…
It’s also a good idea to set goals that specifically support training, i.e. averaging 8 hours of sleep each night, getting a sport massage once a month, nailing fueling/hydration goals on every long session, etc. Having at least one big goal that is focused on supporting your body through the training process may do more for your season than any other goals you set!
6. What are you excited about?
Do you want to ride your bike with friends twice a week? Swim with a masters club? Explore the trail system in your area? Push hard run paces on the track? Be honest with yourself about the types of sessions that keep the joy in your training – it is important that your goals give you space to enjoy the aspects of training that get you fired up! Reaching endurance potential long-term is all about consistency, which means sustainability – if you never get to do the sessions you really enjoy, it’s going to be tough to really find out what you are capable of in the long run. So, if the Saturday race ride is what you look forward to every week, make sure you have a clear vision for how that fits in with the commitment your goals require.
7. Review with a trusted individual
Hopefully, this is someone like a coach, but could alternatively be a mentor or experienced athlete that you trust. Make sure everyone agrees that the goals and commitments make sense for you, and if you are reviewing with a coach, make sure to ask lots of questions about the types of sessions and other work they will expect from you to achieve those goals.
If you need help setting goals for the coming season, or think you might want the structure and support of a coaching program, make sure to check out our Coaching Consult and Individual Coaching options, or schedule a FREE Coaching Programs Consult to speak with one of our staff members about how we can best support you.
Good luck, and happy training.
Coach Morgan Hoffman is the Head Coach of Playtri and a USAT Level 2 Certified Coach. She has been coaching triathletes from beginners to professionals since 2009, and currently specializes in junior and elite development. You can learn more about Coach Morgan at www.playtri.com/morgan.