I think this week was the week I was supposed to have last week (after my mammoth training week).
As I "lit matches" and "went to the well" last week I worried that the pack was nearly empty and the well was nearly dry. I should have known though that the problems weren't going to come from my body, but from my brain.
Some weeks ago a friend of mine talked about his guiding principle through a campaign to get to the world triathlon sprint age group championships: be an athlete. When you wake up in the morning you ask yourself what you need to do to be the athlete you want to be.
Now I can understand if you think this sounds naff (read: gammon), but it really struck a chord with me (see also: my addiction to inspirational quotes and TED talks). The same concept came up again this week in a blog post by my coach (and friend) as she grapples with her new business: if she want to achieve something you need to man up and commit to it and act like it.
In the past month I can count on one hand (I'd like to say two, but I'd be lying): the number of times I've eaten dinner at home (I'm writing this as I eat dinner at a restaurant), the number of nights I've been to bed before 10pm, the number of mornings I've got up after 6am.
I'm taking being an athlete seriously, whilst working full time and doing everything I can get my hands on. This is partly fuelled by trying to prove to "everyone" that I'm not mad and still have a life, but mostly by the fact that I love spending time with people, and seeing and doing new things.
This week a tipping point was reached. I was challenged by an opportunity thrown my way to reevaluate my priorities. I had some days where I was completely exhausted. I missed a training session, on a morning with a bright blue sky, when there have been mornings of darkness and horrible rain I've trained through.
But as I get (a little) older I've realised I don't have to have a meltdown before I change things.
So with 98 days til I race at Hawaii 70.3 I'm having a reset. More of an adjustment than an overhaul. I'm not going to become the fun police, but I need to start my days by asking myself what I need to do to achieve what I want to achieve. Not, how far can I push the envelope today without collapsing in a heap.
This week's training roundup
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: AM Short run and ab circuit
Wednesday: AM Swim (missed), PM Run (100 mins)
Thursday: AM Cycle (with Rapha at Regents)
Friday: AM Cycle (missed), PM Swim (HTC squad)
Saturday: Cycle (120km inc Hampstead loops, London Phoenix CC ride and a few loops at Regents)
Sunday: Cycle (70km in the wind tunnel that was a blustery Norfolk)
1x work commute
0x stretching, yoga or general prevention work
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