The Three Faces of a Triathlete

Saturday and Sunday mornings were always "Big Days" during training season. When I was signed up for an Ironman or Half-Ironman it was always Long Bike & Run on Saturday and Long Run on Sunday. I loved to do it early to get it out of the way so it wouldn't hang over my head later in the day. Plus it freed me up to do anything the family wanted (or to complete any work around the house.) We could happily go places and I wouldn't carry the stress of the workout looming over my head. I am sure we have all been there before. Plus they were usually sleeping while I was out logging mile after mile on the bike or run so it was a no brainer to do it first thing. Even when I was only doing "small things" for the upcoming racing season or when the season was over, I preferred doing my workouts in the morning. When mountain bike season is in full swing, it's the same. Ride in the AM, be home by 10:30 with bagels and no one gives you grief. Plus, it's the courteous thing to do. Those who ask for something must give back in return. All is fair in love and war or something like that.

Now that we are in the midst of enduring one of the longest, snowiest, and coldest Winters on record, I ask myself what has happened to me?! It seems that all I want to do on weekends is spend my Saturday (and Sunday) mornings in my PJ's, by the fire, reading my book and drinking hot coffee. In fact I look forward to it. If I am going to go out and run, it's usually later in the day when the sun is at it's warmest. Or I hit the treadmill and/or the bike trainer. But it's always later when the family is up and about and I'm fully awake with 3 good cups of coffee under my belt. And I have had my "quiet time" by the fire.

I guess I am using the weather as an excuse. This is certainly with good reason. But right now I am a lost soul searching for my motivation. I watched home movies my daughter made from two of my Ironman races this past weekend and I got re-energized all over again. But it's a fleeting feeling. I couldn't turn it into anything substantial work out wise. I am setting my sights on 2013 for Ironman again but each shot of pain below my knee and ache in my back makes me wonder if I will get there again. Now it's not only mental but physical as well.

The plan for 2011 is still to get out there and race in a Half Ironman and I am still setting my sights on REV3 in June but we will see. At press time I am still not signed up.

Finally, I should defend my other half because I am not being totally lazy. I am getting one bike trainer session in per week and I am running every third day. But the pool is whispering my name and I am not listening or answering the call. One half wants to get back in the water while the other half could care less.

Did What I Said

Yesterday, I did what I said I would: went to the basement, passed the easy chair and rode my bike on the trainer. I actually had a nice workout. It was only 45 minutes but I peddled hard including getting out of the saddle several times simulating hills. Now the real test is to keep it going. We shall see.

I have to say that motivation was supplied by jumping back on blogger and reading several of the triathlon blogs out there. I even posted links on some of the ones I enjoyed reading. Thanks everyone.

Lost in Space

It is hard to believe that it has been over 4 months since my last post to this blog. I can't explain why except that I think I lost interest. Plus there has been so much going on in my life that I just didn't t make the time to write and keep it updated. I was also thinking of abandoning this idea for several others. I still might.

I haven't raced in a triathlon since Ironman Lake Placid in July 2009. In fact I haven't swam one single lap since then either! When I lost my job 4 days before the race, I dropped our family membership to the Y in a monetary move to tighten our belts. I am just now considering re-joining as our "situation" has become a little better. I have plans to jump back into racing this year with REV3 Quassy Half-Ironman (www.rev3tri.com) in Middlebury, Connecticut as the target race but as of press time I have't yet signed up.

I haven't completely lost my fitness the last 18 months by drinking beer and watching sports from the easy chair in my basement (although there has been plenty of that). There has been a lot of serious mountain biking, some road riding (when there isn't snow on the ground) and some running. In fact, I have been looking to sign up for a 10K or a half-marathon if I can figure out where and when as well as finding the motivation to actually do it.

In conclusion, I am hopeful that 2011 will get me back into triathlon racing. Whether I continue with the Iron H blog remains to be seen. I have a few other ideas I have been kicking around including something "triathlon related" but we shall see. For right now on this quiet Sunday morning, I think I may head down into that basement, by pass the easy chair and mount my bike in the trainer. Wish me luck!