It has been awhile since I have blogged anything, and it seems like it has been longer than that since I have actually worked out. Not sure what my deal is, but it seems to take every inch of my being to get me out running. So Daily Trainings is not an accurate description of what this blog means right now. And as I was writing this post, I thought to my self that this blog was suppose to be about my journey to becoming an Ironman and finishing the race. Now that I have done that, I admit I found myself thinking, OK, now what?
It's not that I think I have climbed the mountain top, nor does it mean that I am totally done with Ironman (I mean I do have this little beat down race against Brad D) but I wonder if it is the same. Is it better the second time around? I know I always eat the red and purple Skittles first because nothing is as good as the first bite. I know I will be smarter on my next races, but I wonder if it will be different? I am thinking that the only thing that should be different in my race time. I know I should be faster than a 15:53. I honestly think I can go 14 or under. I have plenty of time to think it over, but let me ask you multiple Ironman finishers, what was different between your first and second Ironman?? Leave me a comment please...
On another separate note, I grew a beard. Since I was not really training for anything, I let my hair grow out and quit shaving for awhile. My hair had not been that long in years because I normally cut it with my clippers. So I looked like a totally different person IMO. Well, that did not last long. I shaved and cut my hair on Sunday. I honestly got tired of people asking if I was doing "No Shave November" I really just wanted to see if I could grow a beard, and that question was answered.
When I decided to shave it off, which was not an easy task, I decided to have some fun and see what I looked like with a goatee, a moustache and then cleanly shaved. Personally I like rocking the groovy moustache, but I got out voted and it had to go!!!
I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and they remember that we are truly blessed and have much to be thankful for!
It is almost impossible for me to get up and train when I am away from home. I don't know why either.
This weekend was Father's Day and I traveled to see my dad and then to see my father in law. Friday night we stayed at Dad's house because it is basically halfway between our house and the final destination. It works out really well for us. My folks live in the city that I went to college in, where there is an awesome running trail that I have ran on probably 100 times when I lived there, maybe more like 500 times! (I ran a lot during college) This trail is less than a half mile from my parents house. So there is no excuse!
I always pack my running gear in my backpack. I always prepare to go running. And that is where it stops for me, in the planning stages.
It would be so easy for me to get up early and go hit that trail. I could easily get 4.5 miles in and then I could head out of the neighborhood and run a long hill for a great hill workout, which I always tell myself I am going to do. I have it mapped out in my head, but for some reason, all I want to do is lounge in bed and then get up and eat breakfast with everyone. Now, I was tired after driving to their house and eating late, so I knew an evening run was out of the question, but there is nothing stopping me from getting my butt out of bed and hitting the run before everyone else got up. My dad likes to joke that he waited for me and waited for me and finally decided to go ahead and get his run done, "sorry I missed ya son!"
It is so easy for me to make a plan at my house and stick to it. I mean I will miss an occasional workout if I am not feeling good or still sore, I mean I listen to my body, but I hardly ever just blow something off. So it really bums me out that I chose not to get up. And no, I am not making excuses either. Sitting here thinking about why I didn't get up, I realized that I never pack my alarm clock when I go out of town to visit family, but yet I always pack it when I go to a race. (I do not trust hotel alarm clocks) I think I get into a mindset of "its like a mini vacation" where I can relax and let mom and dad take care of me. I know I am not as strict on my diet when I am away from home either. So maybe I need a new mindset when I am away from home. I need to become strong, mentally. I always tell people that running is as much mental as it physical.
One thing I can tell you though, I can;t wait to get back to training after being off for a few days. I am heading out for vacation soon, but I guarantee you I will be swimming and running on the beach for sure, that is one of my favorite times and I will blog about it soon.
Tell me if you also find it hard to train when you are away from home, I am interested to know! Thanks for reading!!!
This weekend we went to my parents house in AR for an early Thanksgiving. Man I ate a lot, or it feels like I did. The main thing that got me though, is the inactivity I had. All I did was eat, played some Yahtzee, and Wii. I really missed running or riding my bike on the weekend.
