zedzded wrote:
Putting aside triathlon for a minute, you don't want to get fat and want to stay fit, so work on that. Forget triathlon for the time being, find a sport/activity that you enjoy doing, as some have suggested trail running, MTBing, or if you want to swim/bike/run train do it with a squad. Can you train at lunch? Even if you only get 45mins, you could do 10 x 400m or some hill repeats. Also maybe have a look at your diet and alcohol intake, if they are an issue modify those, so even if you do cut down on exercise you won't stack on the weight.
I have seen a lot of people come into the sport, very quickly become obsessed, then just as quickly lose interest. So it concerns me, I don't want that to happen to me, I feel very passionate about the sport and love it, but I'm not naive enough to think that that passion will always be there, so I make steps to ensure I don't burn out and lose interest. I did 1 IM 3 years ago, didn't enjoy the training or the race, 6 hour rides bore me to tears, and I haven't done one since because there was little enjoyment. I see people training for IM and they're tired and miserable, getting up at 4.30am, training, going to work, training, going to bed and repeat, it's not a question of if they'll burn out, more of a case of when. So for me I race when I want and what races I feel like doing. This season I did 10 races, 2 x 70.3 and a whole bunch of random ODs and sprints, some with only 100 people in it that most triathletes wouldn't go near because it's not "prestigious" or whatever. But some of these small races are great fun, no stress, organisers are laid back and it's relaxing. I might only sign up 2 days before.
With training, I train with a squad, but if I want to miss a session I will, the coach is OK with that, so I don't have that pressure on me to train. I'm easily motivated and love most of my training so it's not an issue staying fit and competitive. And it's really important to find some form of enjoyment in your training. There are people out there that are obsessed with triathlon, but find the most of the training hard and a chore, they'll last no more than 2 - 3 years. If you find it a chore, mix up the training, I do long trail runs, intervals on a track, hill repeats, treadmill workouts, running on the beach, my running is so varied and never gets boring, it might not be what my coach wants or what's in my program, but I'm out there running, lots. Similarly with swimming and biking, when not in a squad I'll generally do what I feel like doing on the day, I may ride with some random shop ride, or do a hills ride, swim in the ocean, swim with a masters swim squad, do 2km all 25m/50m sprints by myself, i use 4 different pools just for change. When it gets closer to a big race, I may be a bit stricter and focussed for the 6 - 8 weeks leading up to the race, sticking more closely to the training plan, but if it ever becomes a PITA I change it up. I don't feel like running 20kms then I don't, I run 400ms, I'll do the 20km some other day.
Totally agree. Now, I have never had a coach since for me, this would take if from a hobby to more of an OCD focus and make it feel like a job.
Today at lunch we have a .8 mile lake swim in my backyard. Normally I "race" the event. But have decided today I am going to have fun and make it a are you tough enough training sessions for me. I am going to tow a kayak behind me. I plan to have my 6 year old granddaughter who will be yelling go pop go. Now if for some reason this does not work, my wife has agreed to be pulled. I pulled her some yesterday making sure this would work and we both had a great time. So one just needs to find ways to make training for health fun.
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