2014 Year in Review

1. Sometimes it’s about the journey and not your race time.  Just take a look back at my Ironman Texas race report.  I was coming off possibly my best race ever, Ironman Texas 70.3 in Galveston, and I was primed and ready to ROCK Ironman Texas.  Well, it didn’t turn out the way I anticipated but I’m so proud of my performance.  During the race all my pacing goals went out the window and I had the time of my life!

2. There is no such thing as a bad race or a bad workout.  Even though at times my performance fell short of my expectations there was a reason why.  Again, look at my Ironman Texas race.  I’ve analyzed all the events that took place before and during the race and I’ve some to the conclusion that my overall nutrition was lacking.  Therefore, this year I’m concentrating on nutrition throughout my training.   In another instance, I completed a short sprint tri about a month after Ironman Texas and I had to walk twice during the 5k run.  Holy cow, I was an Ironman and I was reduced to walking in a sprint tri!  I immediately emailed my coach and she told me this was completely normal.  This episode kicked off a summer full of speed work.  Now, I’m stronger than ever!

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  I need to improve on my nutrition and in the back of my mind I knew this last year.  I don’t know why, but I just didn’t ask for help.  This year I have already asked for help.  I’m getting more advice about hydration and nutrition.  I can’t wait to see the results of my new hydration/nutrition plan!

So here’s to a better, faster, stronger 2015!

Addicted?

Hi, I’m Summer and I think I may be addicted to working out. 

The days are getting shorter and we have been out of town the past few weekends.  I will also be out of town next weekend, the 10 days after Christmas, and the next weekend.  I’m finding it difficult to get in long workouts and I’m stressing out.  IMTX is only 155 days away!

This past week I missed a swim workout and 2 run workouts.  I didn’t workout Thur., Fri., or Sat.  I felt like crap and I was stressed.  Granted, I was at the deer camp and I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I will probably write a post about how much I enjoy it.  But for some reason this past weekend I just felt yucky.  I did get in a 1 hour 20 minute bike ride and 2 mile brick run on Sunday afternoon.  I immediately felt better.  This got me to questioning myself, “Am I addicted to exercise?”

Yes, there are more serious addictions than exercising but just being addicted to anything does not seem healthy.  So this week I’ve really examined my workout habits and state of mind.  Of course I feel better when I exercise but I’ve decided that there’s more to it than that.  I have no problem setting long term goals, making a plan of attack, and working hard to achieve my goal.  Actually, this is exactly how I roll.  I have a goal (Ironman Texas) and a plan (thanks Becky).  That plan includes a tough off-season.  This time last year I was blissfully awaiting the beginning of ironman training in Jan.  I just wanted to finish and become an Ironman.  This year I’m more determined to rock IMTX (my goal).  The plan is to push myself harder.   To most this wouldn’t seem to blissful, but to me it is like heaven on Earth.  I know that the hard work will pay off! 

I become stressed when I miss several scheduled workouts during a week.  These workouts are the building blocks that will help me reach my goal.  So you see, I’m not addicted to exercise, I’m addicted to meeting or surpassing my goal. 

I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not an exercise addict, I’m a disciplinarian.  I’ve always been my toughest critic and I hate to face myself when I miss a workout without a good reason.  One of my favorite quotes is, “The pain of discipline is less than the pain of regret.” 

Currently, I’m analyzing my strengths and weaknesses and determining which workouts are absolutely necessary.   I’m working on being more flexible in my planning.  Hopefully, this self-analysis and flexible planning will cut down on the stress levels!