I kind of despise this training-for-the-training phase of my...well, training. It is, as the title of this post suggests, a feeling of limbo. I feel like I've been going for months without getting anywhere; but I also haven't been all that disciplined about swimming, to be honest. Shame on me. Granted, this phase is bizarre and motivation-draining, but I really have no excuse. So today I decided to kick my swimsuit-clad heinie into gear. You'll have to wait for the unveiling of my master swim plan, but for now let me tell you about how I am getting over my own inertia.
I am very strongly externally motivated (hence my needneedneed for work-out buddies), so it comes as no surprise that my new-found training vigor did not just spring forth from my subconscious. I had two inspirations: First, one of my patients here at the chiropractor has been asking me how training is going. (You know who you are. :) Hi there!) It really is helpful to have that little reminder--other people know that I'm doing this. I'm not alone in a vacuum. I'm just alone in a swimming pool. Ha! I kid, I kid. Thanks to those of you who have mentioned this blog and offered support and encouragement--it is so appreciated!
My second inspiration came very unexpectedly. I ran into one of my college professors at the gym last night. This guy was one of my advisers, one of my favorite profs, and actually one of--if not the--best educators at my school. Oh, and did I mention that he's an Ironman triathlete? Yeah, this guy's insane. I have a vague memory of a story where he completed an Ironman in Texas... in the summer. I have three things to say about that: Yuck, yuck, and yuck.
But back to my point: This professor and I chatted briefly about triathlons. Not only was I able to voice my phobias surrounding this event (fact: I have bad dreams about Things That Live in Deep Water), but I was also able to hear the voice of his experience, and it was so encouraging. In his first-ever triathlon, he came in second to last. And now he's competing in multiple triathlons this summer. Multiple, everyone. He mentioned four or five specifically, "plus a few others." Those are his words exactly. Who is this guy, seriously? Anyhow, it was helpful to see that even Triathlon Man himself had a humble start. Maybe I'll be okay after all.
26 January 2011
05 January 2011
Indecision
Here comes the "but."
You know how people sometimes say things that sound like stand-alone statements, but you can just tell there's a "...but..." clause that will be following quickly? Well, that's kind of what I'm going to do here. My last post ("I've found a triathlon!") sounded like a stand-alone statement, a done deal. This post, then, brings the "but," which is this: Maybe I didn't after all.
It's a pretty simple story. I did indeed find a triathlon, and it's quite perfect for me and I would love to sign up for the New Bri Tri. But, but, but... My triathlon buddies are out of town for several very legitimate reasons like weddings that weekend. And I really want to do this triathlon with my triathlon buddies.
Have I mentioned that I have triathlon buddies? I just read that research shows weight-loss journeys are far more likely to succeed when attempted with friends or family. I think the principle holds true for Very Big Things like completing triathlons. I need people to keep me accountable and motivated, especially for an event such as a triathlon that requires months of preparation. And especially right now, when snow is falling outside my window as often as not; when I wear long underwear at work and drink hot water all day long (not even tea, mind you, just plain hot water... I'm such a weirdo), and when my trip to the gym last night consisted of a long soak in the hot tub and absolutely nothing else--it is at times like this when I need that extra boost.
So: the New Bri Tri is not for me. We're now looking at a July 9th triathlon which is out in Clearwater or something. I have no idea where Clearwater is. Two of my tri buddies are off adventuring in South America for a bit, so we'll nail down the details once they return. Until then, I'll try to conjure up what motivation I can to get back into the pool. I'm able to swim 2 whole laps together now, so... I'm getting there! My next goal is to learn the flip that competitive swimmers do at the end of the pool to turn around.
You know how people sometimes say things that sound like stand-alone statements, but you can just tell there's a "...but..." clause that will be following quickly? Well, that's kind of what I'm going to do here. My last post ("I've found a triathlon!") sounded like a stand-alone statement, a done deal. This post, then, brings the "but," which is this: Maybe I didn't after all.
It's a pretty simple story. I did indeed find a triathlon, and it's quite perfect for me and I would love to sign up for the New Bri Tri. But, but, but... My triathlon buddies are out of town for several very legitimate reasons like weddings that weekend. And I really want to do this triathlon with my triathlon buddies.
Have I mentioned that I have triathlon buddies? I just read that research shows weight-loss journeys are far more likely to succeed when attempted with friends or family. I think the principle holds true for Very Big Things like completing triathlons. I need people to keep me accountable and motivated, especially for an event such as a triathlon that requires months of preparation. And especially right now, when snow is falling outside my window as often as not; when I wear long underwear at work and drink hot water all day long (not even tea, mind you, just plain hot water... I'm such a weirdo), and when my trip to the gym last night consisted of a long soak in the hot tub and absolutely nothing else--it is at times like this when I need that extra boost.
So: the New Bri Tri is not for me. We're now looking at a July 9th triathlon which is out in Clearwater or something. I have no idea where Clearwater is. Two of my tri buddies are off adventuring in South America for a bit, so we'll nail down the details once they return. Until then, I'll try to conjure up what motivation I can to get back into the pool. I'm able to swim 2 whole laps together now, so... I'm getting there! My next goal is to learn the flip that competitive swimmers do at the end of the pool to turn around.
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