Managing the Peaks and Valleys of Training

I posted something shorter on the Gator page about this topic, but here are some more thoughts on managing the peaks and valleys of training. Simply put, this stuff is not always easy. Actually, it rarely is. We all juggle many things in our life in order to squeeze out as much time as we need to workout or train for our next race. When we put together a plan, find a plan, or get a coach, we have this idea in mind that we absolutely want to stick to the plan to accomplish our goals. Well, life doesn’t usually cooperate. We always have things that get in way, whether scheduled and expected or things that just happen. As a result, or just because, we also have peaks and valleys in our training. Mentally and physically, triathlon and endurance sports can be very taxing. It’s amazing how one week we can be on a high and super happy and then the next we are ready to ditch the sport and pick up shuffle board or bocce ball. It’s important to manage these peaks and valleys. Don’t ever overreact and make impulsive decisions. Whether it’s one bad workout or a week of bad workouts, don’t let it keep you down. You will climb out of it.

Tiff and I both have had ups and downs, and we’ve had some lately. Weather it's our schedules, getting sick, or just lacking motivation, both of us have struggles along the way. We do these endurance sports to compete, but more importantly to have fun. When things don’t go right, it’s hard to stick with it. During my last race, I really didn’t know how things would go. I was training through the race with the goal being Boston. But man, I’ve been tired, achy and struggling to get the work in. Sometimes, your training surprises you though even when you feel beat down. This stuff is exhausting, but it’s worth it. Remember, you have to do this for you and have fun doing it! I also experience the ups and downs of training from an outside perspective. I have small peaks and valleys frequently throughout my training. Tiff has larger, more extended peaks and valleys. Being married to Tiff, who is an incredible athlete and also an amazing, yet super busy veterinarian, gives me the experience from the other side of things. With her busy schedule and ambitious goals, she has extreme highs and lows, and it’s just part of life.

Our puppy is amazing and our top priority. He brings so much joy to our lives, but time is even more crunched now. I know, it's just a puppy, but to us, he's our world. Trust me, I have no idea how any of you with kids can keep to a steady, consistent training schedule. Bravo! Along with the added responsibility of taking care of our amazing dog, I’ve been pretty tired and my body is pretty beat up. As I’ve written before, you can’t do everything well all the time. It’s hard though when you feel like all areas of your life are being compromised, and you still aren’t getting in all your training. Mentally, I often get to a point, like I did recently, where I just feel like something has to give. It’s easy at these moments to give in and give up on your goals. These races and the training just aren’t that important in the grand scheme of things. I always go back to thinking about my priorities and what really matters. It's supposed to be fun. My best advice when you get into these funks is to ride it out for awhile, and then, if necessary, readjust and be flexible. Understand also that you are not alone. No matter what your ability level or experience, we all go through it. Stop and think about your why and your priorities, but always make sure you are having a least a little fun. Change things up, do something different, go out with friends, and always be flexible.