On being consistently inconsistent

My father was a model of consistency. He was moderate in all aspects of his life, from his politics to his personal habits. Not that he wasn’t passionate. He was passionately dedicated to his family. His beliefs and positions, while moderate, were strongly held and articulately defended. You knew where he stood and you could count on him being consistent. For most of his adult life, whether at home or traveling overseas, he would find, or make, time to swim or take long walks. He was not competitive and he did not push himself, but he remained active up until his physical health deteriorated to the point where this was no longer possible. He outlived nearly all of his less active peers.

Serious athletes, whether professional or amateur, regardless of their sport, share at least one trait in common. All are consistent in their habits when it comes to training.  They train in good weather and bad, when they feel like it and when they don’t. They know that you can’t excel using an “on again, off again” approach. For one thing, you can’t fool your body. It has to be challenged, even stressed, regularly and repeatedly in order to grow stronger, faster, more flexible, and able to endure whatever demands you place on it.

Excuses for not being consistent abound. If you need any, just ask me. I have lots and plenty to go around. Some are just that, excuses. Others are, I hope, more in the line of legitimate reasons why I can’t get in my training session for the day, or for several days. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two.

This week, I felt slammed at work with charts to be reviewed, dictations to be done, patients to be followed up, and a back log of papers lying on my desk and on the floor around me begging to be looked at, some to act on, others to simply throw out. I can’t do the latter without at least looking at them. At home, I have not balanced my checkbook for over a month, there is a black hole into which my money seems to getting sucked, and I have stacks of papers, receipts, etc. all of which need going over. My wife and daughter’s cell phone account seems to sucking up data into the same black hole that my finances are flying into, and I just discovered that my late father’s checking account is still receiving social security and pension checks, as well as automatic withdrawals from some insurance company. All of this needs my attention.

Doing a workout when your mind is racing with all the other things you are leaving undone is a decidedly unfulfilling endeavor. On top of your brain telling how hard the effort is, how short of breath you are, how sore, how tired, etc. etc. you have another part of your mind accusing you of letting important things slide so that you can do this very self-centered training for a personal goal. It is enough at times to stop you in your tracks. It has stopped me in mine. More than once, I have put off a workout, or abandoned one in the middle of it, in order to get back to the house or office and finish what needed doing.

I have to keep reminding myself that, no, I’m not 20 anymore; yes, I do have a job and other obligations that require my attention; and, no, I am not getting paid to train nor will I make any money in endorsements, etc. from my performance. It would be nice to have my days devoted to nothing but eating, sleeping, and training until November, and I would certainly perform better if that were the case, but the fact of the matter is that ironman training isn’t my life, just a small part of it. I need to work hard, yes, but I want to keep it fun and in its proper perspective so I don’t lose sight of the big picture. For me, that’s not always easy to do.  Ask Mr. Miyagi told his young protégé in The Karate Kid, “Daniel-san, all life is [about] balance.”

Fortunately, my Dad set a good example of moderation and setting priorities.  I am definitely a bit more driven and ambitious than he was but I always admire his ability to keep his life in balance.  

Florida Ironman training log:

Not the best week with regards to keeping up with my training sessions, but I did get in some quality workouts and, I feel, I am making steady progress in my strength, flexibility, and endurance. I did get some major catching up done at work and at home. Hard to believe I only have 5 more months to go. The serious training begins in earnest at the end of June when my last big time commitment is done. The good news is that the aches and pains, and soreness after a hard workout, seem to be getting less and less.

Weeks training summary:

Mon, 6/3- Swim, 2625 yards @ 2:34 min/100 yds, total time 1:11:23 hrs

                   Bike on trainer for 30 min. Intervals.

Tue, 6/4- Fri, 6/7  No sessions- catching up at work and home

Sat, 6/8- Bike, 46.86 miles @ 15.1 mph ave., total time 3:06:05 hrs.