I have essentially taken a 4 month break. Not intentionally,
it just happened. After my half marathon in February, I had a few small races:
a few 5Ks and a marathon relay, but I wasn’t into it anymore. Lack of race
reports probably shows that. I also joined Foodie Pen Pals and slacked off in
that department too. I owe 2 blogs about packages I’ve received and I also need
to try to remember those race reports and re-create them. Just because. It’ll
happen one day. Hopefully soon. I need to get back into this.
Last year I was gung ho about everything and was borderline obsessed. I think the disappointment of not completing the half
marathon took a lot of the wind out of my sails and I slowly began to put my
energy and focus into other things in my life. I pretty much cut training and
exercise out of my life. I did a few things here and there, but it was
completely half assed and if I missed a day or two or three or a week, I didn’t
care.
Last year on dailymile my June’s total mileage for
everything I had done was 89 miles. This year, my total mileage for June was
12 miles. That includes today’s 9.6 mile bike ride.
I have a 5K color race in 2 weeks, a duathlon in 4 weeks and
a triathlon (yes, I am doing it again...) in 10 weeks. This time last year, I had 6 months of
training under my belt, I had already finished my triathlon training and I was
just trying to maintain my level of fitness until the triathlon, and maybe push
myself to go faster and harder. This year, I feel like I’m starting from
scratch.
Before today’s bike ride, I hadn’t worked out at all.
Nothing but a 2 mile walk around a lake over a 6 week period of time.
A week ago, I created a training plan. It was a 12 week
triathlon plan, and I figured I’d start in week 2 because I only had 11 weeks
to go. I created it, put it in my
calendar and then didn’t do it. An entire week went by and I didn’t do it. My
excuse? I was busy. Life got in the way and I didn’t make it a priority. I
wanted to do it, but I didn’t want to do it.
Instead of following that plan I put in my calendar and
promised myself I’d do, I’ve decided on something different. Since the duathlon is in 4 weeks, I really
need to focus on those 2 sports for now. Running and swimming. One is my friend
and the other can go kick rocks. In case you’re new, it’s running. Running can
go kick rocks. I still hate it. That hasn’t changed. So if you love to hear me bitch about
running, stick around. I’ve got some plans for us!
I plan on running 3 times and week and swimming at least 2
(maybe 3) and biking one. After the duathlon at the end of July, I will start
to add in more biking. And hopefully I’ll have the stamina and dedication to add in
biking in the form of biking to and from work every day. That in combo with 3x
a week running and 2x a week swimming, I should be fairly ready for the
triathlon the 2nd week of September. I hope.
I need to make time for this and stop putting it off. I need
to make my training a priority. I need to be happy with making this a priority
and stop dreading it. The fact is, I know I’ll feel better and stronger and
healthier if I can get back on the wagon, so to speak, and move forward again.
Since April, when I stopped training and exercising
regularly, I’ve started eating less healthy, I’ve gained 10 pounds, and I’ve lost
strength, endurance, health and confidence.
It’s time to get that back!
