Last year all of my goals were thrown out the window half way through the season (okay maybe less than halfway through), and my goal became about survival. Survival of the fittest, okay maybe not the fittest…..the most stressed would be a better statement. I left the year thankful I made the accomplishments I did, as many that truly knew my training, workload, and homelife doubted it could happen. I also reviewed the past two years of racing and thought to myself, things have got to change.
My work, selling and buying of the house, family, friends schedule changes, friends illnesses have all highly impacted my life over the past two years and its time I control how I react to things. My turn to be selfish, prioritize, focus, and make myself and my goals more of a priority without letting myself dwell and focus purely on those around me. Let’s face it, I’m happier this way which leads to happier home life too.
So, what’s my point to this blog? My point is to let the world know, GAME ON. I started planning these goals by taking a more strategic look at my sometimes crazy race schedule vs. work schedule combo. I’ve been in this job 2 years now and am aware of when the 80+ hour weeks may happen, and when those weeks to recover from that will have to take place. I encourage all those that have peaks and valleys at work to do the same. Don’t let the attractiveness of nearby races be the only reason you race. First, look at your home and business life and plan when your slowest times and busiest times are, THEN decide what “A” races you want to do during those down times. Don’t be afraid to not do that FUN race that just isn’t the right time and may set you back. Go out and volunteer at it instead! Giving back is so nice and worth it!
I spoke early on with a friend and someone who does my Thai Massage (aka knows what my body has been through), and when he heard I was attacking Ironman (late season) this year he was concerned. His concern was duly noted, and we actually talked through my thoughts of when my race schedule would start and what distances would be done when. He came out of that conversation happy that I’d thoroughly thought this plan through and was no longer racing constantly to prove to myself I still could. Instead this year my distances are all being done when they are for a reason. The reason is I want to perform my best at everything I do, and people that juggle kids jobs and spouses know that if you want to succeed at anything and still be a good parent and spouse you have to pick and choose when to make racing a priority.
Last year was the ultimate worst/hardest year I’ve ever experienced on every count, and I can’t thank the businesses that chose to stick by enough. Thank you to www.Trisports.com (best place for your one stop shopping needs!), www.supercuts.com (Upstate and surrounding areas, my fav for the deep conditioning treatment), www.atlantabreadcompany.com (fav post workout stop!), www.powerbar.com (powering through my workouts w/the Powerbar Gels!), www.nuuns.com (my favorite form of hydration for every day and weekday workouts), and www.skylinenw.com (AWESOME Barracuda Goggles have helped me through 7 Ironman!).
