What It Takes...Now (and then!)

One thing I have realized over some trial and error is that I don't get much out of the minimum.  For me to stay fit or even gain fitness, I have to apply constant pressure.  Training only once a day as a rule just don't work for me.  But, if I train twice a day on most days, I will start to make some progress.  It doesn't have to be hard or long, but it has to be consistent and frequent.

So before Isla, this was doable.  I was up early to SBR- worked a full day- SBR at night if I needed a second session.  Rinse, repeat.  I didn't realize how much the frequency really mattered to me.  I am not saying it was perfect.  I was tired at work many days.  I remember one time I pulled into a parking lot because I had 5 minutes before seeing one of my kiddos for therapy.  I fell asleep, only to wake up later in a panic.  Dave also didn't love hated that level of training.  He thought it was not good for our marriage to have a tired wife that was never home.  He was right!  Who wants to be around someone that doesn't want to ever go out because they have to train the next morning...and every morning for that matter!

Fast forward 4 years and I have tried the 1 x daily on most days.  Not because I think it is the best training method but because I just haven't figured out how to work it all in.   And let me tell you, it just doesn't work.  It doesn't!  5-6 "sessions"  (as in stumbling around at dark 0'thirty slower than a grandma) a week vs 10-12?  LIGHT YEARS apart.

I had to take a hard look at what was NOT working.  It was so obvious, but I just couldn't really wrap my head around what change to make.  I can honestly say I still don't really know how I am going to fit in more, but the alternative is being very out of shape and not able to race because it is not enjoyable.

My solo pool 

Step one was making peace with the fact that I would be swimming by myself quite a bit.  I did observe one master's class here (the only one I could find) and the coach was playing on his phone while his swimmers did a basic class.  It is just not worth my money or my frustration to do that.  So, solo swimming at 5:30am  OR wake up at 4:10 am to drive across the river and swim in a pool with other swimmers (not a group workout, but at least I will see other people).  Those are my two options and I just have to deal.

Step two was asking Dave if I could have 2 evenings a week to do an extra session.  On Mondays I will go to the track and do a solo workout.  He agreed and I got myself back out there for some repeats for the first time in a year.  It was so good to run in the daylight!

Step three is getting our new house!  I will have a training room which means finally, after almost 4 years of it being nearly impossible to ride my trainer, I will have a quiet and private spot to get in some morning rides.  I really think this will be key.  We close on Friday!!!

My best run EVER!  My first run with Isla.  She waited all morning by the front door to run with me when I got home from my big run.  It is amazing how kids can run- I probably stopped her before she needed to stop.  This was seriously one of the most precious moments of my life.  

Races.  Oh races.  I need one, but I am going to wait another month or two.  I just can't imagine pulling the trigger on anything when I bet I couldn't even run a 25 minutes 5k right now. I unfortunately signed up with friends for a half marathon in 3 weeks, and that was a big mistake.  I want to DNS, but what kind of example does that show my new running friends who are running their first half?  So, I will go out there and suffer.  It quite possibly could be a PW day for me as I don't even think I can break 2 hours right now, but oh well.  I signed up so I have to just face it.

Some alternative training:  kids yoga!