Different puzzles, same goal: How do track & field athletes plan out a world championship season?

The best track and field athletes in Canada will be in Ottawa this weekend with the goal of earning their place at September's World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

In theory, it all seems so simple for athletes: the nationals are in your competition calendar, so just make the travel arrangements, plan your training schedule, and show up in peak shape. 

But in practice, it's like spinning plates — Canadians have a multitude of events all over the globe and an incredible amount of logistics that accompany that schedule. Athletics Canada throws coach Richard Parkinson says balancing training and logistics is "like getting a 3,000-piece puzzle and not having all the pieces."

One of the athletes Parkinson works with to piece that puzzle together is two-time world indoor champion, and four-time national champion in women's shot put, Sarah Mitton.

"At the beginning of the year, we sit down and we start with the yearly training plan. Sarah and I work as a team. It's coach-led, athlete-focused, and in Sarah's case — because we've worked so closely together for eight years or nine years now —it's more of a collaboration, more of a team [effort]," Parkinson said.

Parkinson and Mitton begin with the key, major competitions that they want her to have "peak performance or have performance-on-demand at."

"This year, for instance, was the world indoor championships and outdoor world championships. Those are the two big key dates," Parkinson said. "Then we fill in the [next] priorities ...which for Sarah, would be the Diamond League meets."

The planning process for a new season can begin as soon as final major meet from the following year finishes. For Parkinson, that means vacation time also includes a healthy amount of calendars and