If you are a regular reader of this blog you may be wondering why the blog posts lately have not mentioned one thing about triathlons.
Me too!
It has been a season of fighting myself in regards to triathlons and actually any kind of training.
I had a great intentions of doing my usual tri’s and adding a few more but I became the queen of excuses and procrastination.
The summer here in Virginia seemed to start in Feb. At least my daffodils thought so and here is the proof.
It WAS a hot, hot summer. Not only is this true but it was my main reason for not training consistently.
Then the whining started..no time, no close access to a “good” pool, it’s raining,my back hurts, I just ate and the dog ate my running shoes.
Okay the last one is a total lie but the fact is I was full of excuses or just plain full of it.
Truth is the last ” official ” race I did was a 10k in March.
I even weenied out on my first official “See Jenn Tri” triathlon. This was an idea I came up with to make up for all the triathlons I missed. I was going to do my own triathlon just for me with just one participant: ME!
Finally I sat myself down and decided I needed to get a grip and get moving .
- I put together my halo swim trainer that I bought in March and started using it just this week.
- I started running
- I forgave myself for being such a slacker this summer
Amazing things can happen when you forgive yourself.
- I am actually enjoying my runs again and look forward to them! ( that hasn’t happened in a long time)
- My back is not hurting before or after my runs ( Maybe I needed the rest??)
- I allow myself to either run the planned distance or time OR do a walk run
- When I don’t feel like running or exercising I find if I just make the effort to get out there I am always happier with myself than if I blow it off
I am not a fiercely competitive person. I love to get out there and participate. What my time is and where I placed are low on the totem pole. It is more about enjoying myself and being a part of these fun events.
So it was a summer of learning. I learned I do not like to run in 1oo% humidity and 99 degree weather. If I am to run a marathon ( it is on my list) it is going to have to be one in the early spring.
I will run in the summer but just to keep my running up to par. For me, summer is better suited to swimming and biking.
I am also looking into joining a tri-training group. I have been going it alone for too long.
Mostly I have learned to give myself some grace and be a little more gentle and generous with myself.
I have a 10k in October that is being run alongside the Marine Corps Marathon. I can’t wait. I am not sure which is more exciting..the actual run or the fact that I am now comfortable with where I am in this process.
I think I will just follow this rule that hangs by my desk:
Sometimes we just need to give ourselves a break and hit the refresh button. I fought myself on this all summer. Once I quit fighting it the path became clear.
What will you hit the refresh button on today? As for me, I gotta run! 🙂