What Happened To The Goal

I have to be honest and upfront with you all, my readers.  This journey has not been what I expected it to be.  I am an athlete and a coach, I’ve trained for distance in the past, but never like this.

It has been INCREDIBLY hard mentally for me to keep going.  Physically, it hasn’t been too bad.  Although, I have laid in bed at night and just felt the ache in my legs as I tried to fall asleep.  This is when the mental game begins.  I begin to question my “WHY” and some nights I can’t even remember what it was.

Injuries Ensue, Mental Breakdowns Begin

Several times along this journey I have had to revamp my workouts.  I have a slight tear in my Achilles that keeps acting up.  Thus I have had to slow my run to almost a walk on most days.  I have gotten stronger, but I feel bad because now I think I am slow.

But one of the biggest caveats for me is comparing myself to others who have done this before.  I must stop doing that.  I have to remind myself, even when working out alone, that this is my race and mine alone.  All I can do is trust my training and do my best.  I know my times will get me over the line and that is all I want.  At times though, it is hard when I see others posting their times and they are WAY faster than me.

It’s Not All For Not

To help, I contacted some family friends who have been doing triathlons for years.  They have experience!  Their suggestion was to sign up for some shorter races.  At first I was mad, because I really wanted someone to say I could easily do this. However, I soon realized that they were right.  I should have built up for the Full Ironman and not just jumped in.

The Journey Continues (all be it slightly different)

So I took the plunge and signed up for a 1/2 Ironman Race in July.  That’s only 4 weeks from now!!!  A bit scary yes, but also exciting.  I have had to change my times in order to be able to cross that line in time. I have to run a little faster, swim a little harder, and bike about the same.  Somehow, it worked!

Motivation Returns

I am pumped and excited to go race.  I feel a renewed spirit to go out and do what I have signed up to do.  The goal may have changed along the way, but I am not out of this yet!