This morning when I woke up, being a triathlete felt like a burden.
It’s August, and my swimmer’s shoulder is holding up, but it’s not totally quite right either. Swimming on consecutive days bothers it, and so I still need a day of rest between each swim session to maintain it. I can’t play tennis with my wife Pam and daughter Jessica because it bothers the shoulder. It keeps me from things I otherwise would enjoy doing.
My feet have also been hurting this week (plantar fascitis). Biking or running seems to agitate them lately. I’ve gone through all this before but this wasn’t the best time for it to pop up with a couple of my most important races ahead of me in August and September. I can’t afford to pull back on my training now. I didn’t sleep well last night; but the training must go on. So, this morning I’m dragging myself out of bed. I’m going to run on the YMCA treadmill; it will allow me get in some running, while minimizing the factors that can mess with your feet while running the road.
Do you get the gist of this post so far? It’s called “triathlete blues,” and it often hits around August when you’re a little worn out, and your most important goals are still ahead of you. Your body has acquired its aches and pains, the summer heat begins to wear on you, and all kinds of frustrations get into your wheel house. You start daydreaming about putting your bike on eBay, taking up ping-pong, and catching up on the movies you never saw but wanted to. You are sick and tired or organic, low-fat, fruit smoothies, and ready to head to DQ for a Blizzard.
If you have the “triathlon blues,” here are a few tips for dealing with it.
Dealing With Triathlete Blues:
1. Realize you are not alone.
Most triathletes have seasons when they have to contend with this sort of thing. Its just part of it.
2. Change your routine.
Face it, doing the same thing gets old. Consider replacing a training session with a completely different kind of workout. For example, do a significant outdoors trail hike or go kayaking if that’s something you do.
3. Join a group or train with others.
My Masters Swim Class ended last week but I discovered a group of triathletes that do open water swimming every Wednesday morning at a nearby lake, and I plan to join them.
4. Give yourself a break.
Triathletes are known for being pretty hard on their bodies. Do something to give your body a break. Some possibilities would be: take an extra recovery day; get a professional massage; splurge a little in the food department (enjoying a Blizzard isn’t going to end your triathlon career); set aside some time to do something else you love doing like reading, seeing a movie, or whatever.
This Really Is The Time Of Your Life
To get you jump started with a fresh perspective going into the rest of the summer, I thought I’d offer up a little Greenday. I bet you’ve heard the song "Time of Your Life," but give it a listen here, and then review the lyrics below with the links.
"Time Of Your Life"
Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don’t ask why.
It’s not a question
but a lesson learned in time.
It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.
Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it’s worth,
it was worth all the while.
It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
I’m over 40 years old, but I don’t give up easily. It wasn’t too long ago that I was exploring the idea of doing my first triathlon. If I can do it, you can too! I'm proof that with a little determination and training, you can get a great deal of fulfillment participating in marathons, triathlons… even ultramarathons.
