Where’s the motivation? It comes time to start my season again. Usually by this point I’d be swimming a couple thousand yards a day, but it’s a different year. Usually I’d be looking at all the new bike parts to dream about someday owning, but it’s a different time. In years past I would take my bike in for a tune up, but what’s the point?
I’ve got six monthes til my first tri, why am I thinking about starting while it’s still below freezing outside? Freezing rain, and the weather man is calling for more, followed by snow. There’s not a mountain within 300 miles, so I guess there’s no since in dreaming about snowboarding.
I went to the pool today for a workout. My arm hurt really wierd; I must have crunched something doing weights. I settle for grinding out 1600 yards with a kickboard. Now I’m regretting it. Man, I wish I had a hot tub, I’ll just have to try and grit out a standing shower.
I took a look at my bike today. It’s not getting any newer. It’s aluminum, and four years of riding haven’t made it any softer. I really should get some upgrades, but there is no money. I want to put an aero front wheel on it, but that’s not gonna happen this year. I’ll bet a carbon seatpost would soften things up a bit, but then again why bother.
My wetsuit is sitting in the corner. I’ll never fit into it again. It fit fine when I was only 5’ 7", 5’10" just isn’t working. At least my goggles still fit.
On a slightly brighter note, my speedo (made out of mostly nylon) has had six monthes of use, and it still works fine. I hope I can find another one like it.
My running shoes are in the closet. Shin splints took the fun out of those. Their gone now, so I suppose I should take them for a round, maybe tomorrow.
Where is my motivation? It would be so easy just to sit this season out. I could ride my bike more this year, but I’m still going to have the cheapest bike in my age group. I whish I had more talent, then I could train less. I wonder where my motivation is?
My mp3 player is spinning a song called “chasing the dream.” What am I chasing?
I saw a kid at the pool today, he wasn’t swimming laps, he was just happy to be splashing in the shallow end. His left arm was shriveled, and it didn’t look like he could even swing his shoulder. In the lane next to me there was an older gentleman walking back and forth using kickboard to hold his arm up above the water. He was complaining something about a bad knee and his arthritis. I turned an did another fifty.
In the locker room a thirty something gentleman sat on the bench. The bench sagged a bit, he definetly didn’t work out much.
Where is my motivation? At some point throughout the season you find yourself out on the bike, or in the middle of a run, and it comes to you. Everything becomes crystal clear, if onyl for a moment, things make sense. That moment stays with you for the rest of your season and that keeps you going. Before that, though, where’s my motivation?
I guess it’s that little thought in the back of your head: "Why do i do this? Because other people can’t. Because other people won’t. Because it’s what I was meant to do. Why do I do this? Because I am a triathlete. Now, where’s the rest of my motivation?
Very well put! You summarized my nearly identical thoughts. I could add a few of my own recent examples of motivation (or temporary lack thereof) but it would just be rehashing what you said. Today I actually had a super funky idea of what to paint on my recently aquired new/used frame, and that added a certain spark to my otherwise drab lifestyle\training overhaul.
Brian
motivation?
uhm… sometimes it’s very hard to find ANY in the off-season period. I try to review my performances during the year and think I could’ve been better…
“thinking” of triathlon all the time also helps. browse for pictures, latest results, latest reports, etc it will somehow help you get motivated to train.
i usually have motivational problems, specially after a while without competing… late december and early january tends to be a critical time for me. this year I’ve been swimming all winter long and that keeps me motivated cause I’ve been improving and sometimes I just wish I had more time before my first tri (2 months from now)
try to establish a goal… like… my goal is to swim just behind the leading group in every oly and sprint distance race… i know if I can get there I will be able to fight for victory in some races… and that’s what’s keeping me ALIVEEEEE and KICKING! 
Where’s my motivation? Where isn’t it? Everything motivates me. Or maybe nothing does and I don’t need it to? I’m not sure.
I’m giddy, absolutely giddy, about doing more triathlons, more road races, more open water swims. I can’t wait to put in the long miles. I’m thinking about the two IM’s I’m doing in the fall, and I can’t help grinning. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to do any of it. Training isn’t tedious, it’s great! It’s not work, it’s a choice to do it, so it must be fun, right?
I’m sitting here, home at my parents’ for the holidays, reading “Becoming an Ironman”, by Kara Douglass Thom, which my girl gave me for christmas. I can’t help bursting out in fits of glee. Reading about what these people did, thinking that I will soon be doing it too, is the best thing I can think of.
Where is the motivation? Everywhere.
-C
This morning, my wife reached over and touched my leg. “Jeez, your legs are like iron!”. That’s part of my motivation.
my motivation comes from looking in the mirror when I skip training!
with that kind of weather, it would be pretty hard to feel good. personally, i’m in the midwest, and in the midst of gray, spitting raing. it’s ugly, it’s cold, and it’s easier to sit in pajamas all day.
BUT! I know if I can at least get dressed. If I can at least get my butt to sit on the trainer. Then, I can squeeze out a few mintues, and then a few minutes more. Getting to 30 to 40 minutes right now is a real achievement…but it’s better than nothing. And, I know soon enough that I’ll crank out 60 with no problem.
So, for now, read something positive. Appreciate your health. Find a way to brighten your outlook. And, most importantly, don’t pressure yourself. You know what this is about…you know it’s normal to feel this way. And, you know that when you do start, it feels good and your attitude shifts.
one day at a time…one day at a time
kitty