Tough Choices & Tearing Up Plans
This week has been tough - not because of training, work or anything beyond having to make a tough decision. In this case a decision made tougher because its a long way from a decision I wanted to make, yet without a doubt one that I know I needed to make - and is definitely the right thing.
Training and racing has been going pretty well. I've managed to hit a level of consistency that hadn't been possible for quite a while - and was seeing the benefits in terms of performance, numbers and fitness. But, and its a big but, this has led to a realisation that right now I'm not physically capable of sustaining the effort I need in order to improve and be able to get close to the podium's to which I aspired.
For me this challenge has fallen into 2 parts - the first, and the one most people can relate to, is time. Fitting in training around work and family stuff is difficult. But you can get up earlier, use lunch times, commutes, squeeze things in at the end of the day. For me its always been difficult to do much at weekends, but 6 hours in a week isn't bad - and occasionally I might get something in on Saturday or Sunday (whilst I watch in envy everyone else hitting their long training sessions). Looking forwards I know when the summer holidays come July and August would end up being very light training wise - but that's normal for me and something we can manage around.
However - coupled with this is ankylosing spondylitis. In short, I have a problem with my back - and at the moment the result is my body is really not that keen on harder training - and also my recovery times can be horrendous. I'm racing another sprint triathlon tomorrow, but haven't in anyway properly recovered from the last one two weeks ago...
Training and racing has been going pretty well. I've managed to hit a level of consistency that hadn't been possible for quite a while - and was seeing the benefits in terms of performance, numbers and fitness. But, and its a big but, this has led to a realisation that right now I'm not physically capable of sustaining the effort I need in order to improve and be able to get close to the podium's to which I aspired.
For me this challenge has fallen into 2 parts - the first, and the one most people can relate to, is time. Fitting in training around work and family stuff is difficult. But you can get up earlier, use lunch times, commutes, squeeze things in at the end of the day. For me its always been difficult to do much at weekends, but 6 hours in a week isn't bad - and occasionally I might get something in on Saturday or Sunday (whilst I watch in envy everyone else hitting their long training sessions). Looking forwards I know when the summer holidays come July and August would end up being very light training wise - but that's normal for me and something we can manage around.
However - coupled with this is ankylosing spondylitis. In short, I have a problem with my back - and at the moment the result is my body is really not that keen on harder training - and also my recovery times can be horrendous. I'm racing another sprint triathlon tomorrow, but haven't in anyway properly recovered from the last one two weeks ago...
The reality is that currently my life and ability to train revolves around regular NSAIDs and a fingers crossed attitude that everything will be OK. There are potentially better treatments available, but my specialist appointment keeps getting moved back and won't be until the end of June at best now - running straight into my 'quiet' summer training time. And so, I have had to make the decision to stop training and pushing my body - at least until this is all fixed.
I'll still swim, bike and run - but won't worry about the days when its only something short - or if I need to do something completely different. I need to try not to worry too much about the stats and figures that will inevitably tell me that I'm not quite as fit or quick as I was. But I do need to look after my body - both physically and mentally. I'm also very lucky - the tri-club is very active and there will be no shortage of opportunities to still do things. I've got my eye on a couple of events I've always wanted to do, but never felt ready to race. I'm going to go and do them, with the only aim to get round and have some fun. And hopefully, next year, things might change.
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