For the last five years I’ve been a fairly dedicated runner & triathlete. (Yeah, I know I don’t exactly fit the image you may have in your head of the quintessential athlete. Crazy, right?) I’m definitely not fast, just determined. In fact, I’m one of the slower competitors in most races. But it’s true, I’ve actually done a half-dozen triathlons and about a dozen road races in this region, and have had the privilege of training alongside some great people. I’ve got an assortment of ridiculous gear, gel-goop you eat on the run, special hydration packs, etc. Looking at the closet where I keep my workout stuff, you might say it’s kinda silly.  Although the gear is nice, I’d still go out and do the sport whether I had it or not. I really value the fact that I’m able to try; able to work at this and push myself.

It’s not like I’ve been doing this all along – no high school track team or rec league soccer for me. I started later in life, in my late thirties, when I decided I was completely unhappy with how I was feeling and looking. To be brief (which I’m almost never able to do) I was doing a lot of “couch time”. I began to notice my sphere of activities, desires and abilities getting smaller. I decided I wasn’t ready for that. I wasn’t ready to feel old just yet. So, with the encouragement of my incredible nieces and other family members, I started on the path toward making myself stronger and more able. It was slow going with pauses and setbacks. Now I typically train and work toward summer and fall events, and do maintenance work throughout the off season.

In June 2012, just about three months ago, I completed a challenging sprint triathlon at a local venue. Immediately after that race, my mom needed help. She has a debilitating disease that had grown significantly worse over the course of the last few months. Throughout June, July & August, I went through the process of becoming her conservator, rearranging her medical care, relocating her residence, assisting my disabled brother, and attempting to handle a difficult, painful situation involving another family member who suffers from a mental illness. These, along with issues associated with the business I run with my husband, proved to be too much to allow me to continue training. Or being an effective parent. Or business person. Or wife. Or friend.

Now, with several of these issues being managed, I feel I can turn my attentions back to some things I enjoy: parenting, writing, training, driving to Mexico for cock fights (just kidding – I wanted to see if you were paying attention). I haven’t put any races on my calendar or even looked at a registration form, but I’m decidedly back on track (no pun intended) and working on getting my conditioning back.

My intention is to post my workouts with as much regularity as possible. They will most likely be the equivalent of my previous lower-key recovery-style workouts. Thanks for your interest, and if you’re training – keep up the good work. If you miss a day, go out and train the next day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It beats sitting still.

I’d like to add this, from my friend Timber Hawkeye, author of Buddhist Boot Camp:

“Don’t let the concept of change scare you as much as the prospect of remaining unhappy!” -Buddhist Boot Camp