i was never an athlete, so the idea of an "off-season" is new to me. the closest thing i had to an off-season was summer vacation, and being the nerd that i was/am, i usually spent that time working, volunteering, taking classes, and/or doing summer reading.
my self-diagnosed PF has forced me into an off-season, but all i can think about is what marathon i want to run next year. i'm just not motivated without a race. i'm an achievement-whore. i need something to hold me accountable. i need structure. running just for the heck of it doesn't work for me. so "exercising" aka crosstraining for the heck of it doesn't really work for me either. i need something by which to measure my progress. i need a formal event where i can pat myself on the back and say "good job you did this, here's your medal and free food". so going to the gym to ellipticize or kickbox doesn't hold the same urgency for me. yeah i signed up for the weightloss challenge, but even so, working out to lose weight isn't enough of a reason for me to work out. (this might be my hormones talking)
and since i don't know when my foot will be feeling better, i have no idea when i can start running again. it's gotten me pretty bummed. if i can't train for a race, i have absolutely no motivation to get my arse to do anything!
so then i got to thinking, how about a triathlon? then i started freaking out about the cost and work involved with a bike. then i started freaking out about the fact that i can't swim more than a lap without my lungs catching fire. then a million other thoughts raced in my head: what if i do want to go back to school? what if i do find another job? what if about a million other things...
i do want to do a triathlon, eventually. now is not the year.
BUT.
i did consider, seriously, a duathlon. a swim, run race! and there are three that exist next summer in the sacramento area, in june, july, and august. i am hoping that things aren't so bad with my foot that i won't be able to handle a 10k. i'm more worried about a 1.5k swim in open water.
BUT.
that will hopefully be remedied by swimming lessons. i've been playing phone tag with a couple people and hopefully i can connect with a real live honest person this week and start soon. don't get me wrong, you can throw me in water and i know enough to not drown. but to swim 1.5k?! ha! i'm hoping that my lessons will keep me motivated, and that increasing my distance and improving my technique in swimming will feed my desire for achievement long enough to heal my stupid foot.
so that's the long explanation of the plan, folks. and i've ordered some fun toys to help with speedy foot recovery. this and this. i know, you're jealous. but i'm sure i can talk MH into giving me a foot massage tomorrow night. he's good for that.
13 comments:
Looks like good plans... take it easy for now! And make the most of MH!
I totally hear you. I am the same way - I NEED something to train for. Good call on the swimming lessons - I might have to look into that as well. I'm going to splash around in December...and see how far I can go. Then I'll probably realize I'd be 1000 time more efficient if I just did it right and find someone to teach me how to swim properly. :)
Sorry to hear you have the Poopy Foot. But it always seem like an injury forces us to appreciate the sport, huh?
I swim coach makes all the difference in the world!!!
Triathlon, huh? You're so hardcore.
Now let's hope that foot gets better ;-)
You are so getting bit by the triathlon bug! Now, just to see how long it takes before you really start doing them ;)
Well, I'm a little biased about the triathlon thing... but I say go for it! You have the running and you're already quite the spinner.... You don't need an expensive bike when you're starting out. I've just used my Trek hybrid. And when I get more serious, I'll make the jump to something more racy!
Keep in mind that triathlons come in all shapes and sizes. You don't need to be a super distance swimmer for your first race. In fact, there are women-only events all around the country. The one I raced this fall had a 200-yard swim (that's only 8 laps in a 25-yard pool!). You could totally do that. And if you need any remote swimming advice, I'd be happy to help. It's the one thing I do well!
But I agree with your feelings about the off-season. And it's why I have my sights set on a huge race way down the road. I ALWAYS have something to work toward.
That first foot gadget looks nifty.
Yay! Another swimming convert! You won't regret it and your joints (well, maybe not your shoulder joints) will thank you! Just be sure to stick with it and don't get frustrated. It takes a while to get decent at it.
Duathlons are great - look at you making the leap to multisports.
good luck with the swim lessons.
Yay Triathlon/Duathlon!!
I think you'd do great at that and then you are just a step (albeit a very expensive step) away from doing a Tri.
Good luck in your foot recovery- I think since you are being proactive it will pass quickly. Fingers crossed. :)
Oooooh! I signed up for swimming lessons too, they start this evening (if at least 3 people signed up). I'm thinking triathlon, but I'm waiting for the swimming lesson to see if there is any hope.
I've had plantar fascittis (sp?). It wasn't until I got on prescription anti-inflamatories that it went totally away. It took me down to almost NO running for several months. Stretch, ice, and see a doctor if it doesn't get better in a few weeks. Don't suffer like I did.
Post a Comment