"Second Guessing"

The last few days I have found a little stressful.  I know I just got started and yet already I have this sense of anxiety associated with the need to work out every day.  I had a tough bike ride yesterday, and a horrible run just last friday.  I know I am older than I was last time around and yet I  put myself under prsssure with every workout by comparing myself to 2 years ago, or even 10 years ago.  It just has me wondering whether my attitude is wrong.  What's wrong with just focusing on completeing the race in some kind of control regardless of how long it takes?  I know a guy who does Ironman Canada each and every year, and some times he barely even cycles through the winter.  He is a natural swimmer and so he doesn't do anything there either, and he has a total run/walk mentality when it comes to the marathon. And he does it every year!

So I'm gonna take a little different approach.  My goal next year will be to finish in a reasonbable time....maybe 14 hours or something like that, and to focus completely on enjoying the vacation, and the day itself.  After all life is short, and I don't want to waste it by busting my butt reaching for the proverbial stars.

With that it mind I am also changing my entire training strategy  as of today.  I feel less stressed just thinking about it.  First off I'm gonna scrap the whole weight training idea.  I have been putting off getting started as is, and I know it's simply because I hate the weight room.  That in itself seems to lift a weight off my shoulders  :)

Instead of wasting energy trying to fix a hopeless swim stroke I will accept it as it is.  I think swimming once a week for the duration will be all I need, and I will swim only in my wetsuit....much easier.

I will keep riding as long as the weather permits but I no longer plan on riding on the trainer all winter, staring at the little electronic cyclist on my computrainer screen.  That will play a significant role in maintaining my sanity.

I will of course maintain my regular running as that is the staple part of my health maintenance, but I will forego my spring marathon plans.  I have committed to running the 30k Around the Bay with Roo in March, so I will still do that, but that is the longest run I will do in preperation for Ironman.

I think this approach will just make for a happier life over the next year, and I think I can live with it.

What do you think?

For myself, I think that if you believe any of the above crap, then you don't know me very well!

GAME ON!

Workout today....10.3 km run...51' 50"

"Maturity is achieved when a person accepts life as full of tension."---Joshua L. Liebman

"Stress is not what happens to us.  It is our response to what happens, and response is something we can choose"---Maureen Killoran

Love
Peter