Grind

Temecula Winery Views :)

Well I'm about three weeks back into consistent training and I'm FINALLY starting to feel good, especially with running. Most of my weekdays consist of an early 5am wake up call so I can squeeze in a ride or run before my busy day starts.

5am is early no matter how you swing it but when you are motivated and excited about the sport again, it's a lot easier to get up. That's why I know this is for real this time. I get excited with every little improvement I'm seeing. Historically, I can usually get back into shape pretty quickly although I am now 37 years old and not in my early 30's the last time I did this (get fat/out of shape). Regardless, I'm only two years removed from being in the best triathlon shape of my life and I really can't wait to toe the line to race again. I'm targeting a little sprint race down in Mission Bay in October to make the comeback complete and then I will build into winter and go big with training to set myself up for a good 2017 season.

In the meantime, I'm really enjoying the summer with friends and family. All Star Game, Monster Trucks, Del Mar Fair, golf, BBQ's, Temecula wineries and of course great beer. Cheers!

The kids and I on MLB network with Harold!

Trying some new brews

Sweet boy Bo

Motivation arrives on its own terms

Wow, started this blog six years ago - so many good memories and I am SO glad I documented all of the good times both in life and sport. I am committing to blog again once/week to document my comeback to the sport - which I have found helps keep the motivation at a high level.

Most of you that follow the blog here (or when it was at Kona Journey) know that I've taken the past two years off of competing. I've had random "comebacks" or big blocks of training only to fall off for months at a time. The motivation would come and go just like the weeks would. I don't blame it on kids or jobs or anything but the desire just wasn't there. I poured my heart & soul into triathlon for a good four years and wouldn't take it back. Sure, it's only triathlon - why so intense? Well, I think it's very healthy for someone to have a passion for something other than work. It makes you feel alive, gives you other goals/accomplishments, camaraderie and the ability to compete  - which often times dies after we are all grown up.

Well, looking back on it all being two years wiser...ha - I may have been a little too invested in what I was doing and with such HIGH expectations. Ironman CDA broke my heart, like big time. You put so much time and energy into something and when you fail, it's very hard to deal with. My solution was to walk away because I had zero desire to get in the water, on my bike or lace up ever again. I was done putting so much time into something with little returns. I have always been extremely hard on myself which didn't help my cause, especially with that being my FIRST Ironman.

However, looking back on it all - the journey is what made it all so special and I really miss creating the memories that I now look back on with such a warm heart. Training and competing makes me happy. I'm a happier person when sport is in my life. So what to do? Duuuuh, get back to work!

For me, motivation had to arrive on its own terms. I tried to force the issue many times the past two years with no luck. Well it's back and this time going in - I'm a lot wiser in so many areas both in my mental and training approach. I've had some consistency which I haven't seen in quite some time and I'm already looking at some races that I can start focusing on.

I thought about reaching out to some coaches but I have decided to be self-coached for now. The biggest thing about coaching is everybody is so unique and it takes years for a coach to really understand what works for an athlete so that they perform at their best. I am very aware of what works for me. To start my main focus is to consistently ride and run (very little swimming), lose the 10 pounds I've gained these past two years and slowly work my way into a "serious" training regimen. Summed up:

1. Ride/run consistently
2. Clean up diet
3. Less beer in my life (this will cause outrage with friends)
4. Have fun

I'm really looking forward to coming back to a sport that won my heart (even more then running). As always, thanks for reading and excited to start my new journey.