Last week I thought my weight had reached a “high” point
that would quickly drop back into a range I was comfortable admitting to people. A weight that
would still put me 20 lbs. away from my desired race weight for IMSR 70.3. I
chalked up last week’s weight to Thanksgiving and all of the foods I wouldn’t
normally eat during the long weekend…including the five pies that Ashley and Jay
brought to feed eight people.
 |
| Got pie |
I expected this Monday’s weight to be lower than last week,
although I was prepared for it to be more than Friday’s weight. However, I was
not prepared for a gain of four pounds!! I am near tears just
thinking about it but I am also glad this happened now. I think I needed a
shock like this to snap me out of my complacency and also to make me start
being more honest with myself and some of my
bad habits.
bad habits.
160.4
Injuries and a Bad Attitude
The last year has been difficult. Last November, I injured
my right knee during a Spartan race (doing too many burpees)...at least thats when my problems started. Soon, my left
knee started hurting too. I scrapped a couple of CX races and then backed out
of running CIM. I spent the next month or so babying my knees before I decided
to go to the doctor. My knees were swollen to the point where I could barely
bend them and they ached constantly. The doctor prescribed an anti-inflammatory and a
month later not much had improved. An x-ray revealed minor arthritis and the doctor
thought that physical therapy may help.
I decided to pass on the therapy because the doctor made it
sound like if they showed me the right way to move that I wouldn’t be having
these problems. A few months went by and my elbow began aching like my knees.
It felt like the bone was bruised but there didn’t seem to be any swelling.
Again, I went back to the doctor, got an x-ray, and was told there was nothing
wrong. Why does it hurt so bad then? I told the doctor that my knees would
still swell and ache and that I would be willing to go to the sports therapist.
My doctor said they would contact me…it’s been over 4 months and I still
haven’t heard anything. I guess I could contact Kaiser and see what’s up, but
since they keep telling me nothing is wrong, I don’t want them thinking I’m
looking for pain killers or that I am just crazy.
So, for the last few months I have worked out here and
there, nothing consistent. My weight has slowly climbed. I feel lethargic and
fat and I am supposed to started a 70.3 training program next Monday. I guess I
should be glad that I had this wake up moment now instead of in May, right
before the race. I know what needs to change, I’m just scared that I won’t be
able to turn things around…that I’ve become too comfortable as a couch potato.
My workout routine needs help, my diet really needs help, my sleep needs
desperate help. I need to make some changes.
Goals! Goals! Goals!
Typically my race goals include things like getting a PR, getting on the podium, etc. This time, my goals are more personal. They are daily habits that I hope to establish so I can reach race related goals.
Goals! Goals! Goals!
Typically my race goals include things like getting a PR, getting on the podium, etc. This time, my goals are more personal. They are daily habits that I hope to establish so I can reach race related goals.
Here are my goals:
Daily Goals (Habits)
Daily Goals (Habits)
- Prep the coffee machine every night so I have extra time in the morning to get in an early workout (my Masters training plan has double workout days that affords me two days off a week)
- Get workout clothes ready the night before (if I have a morning workout on my schedule)
- TV off by 7:30pm on work nights. Go read or do something that does not involve starting at a screen. Aim for 7 hours of sleep per night.
- Continue daily walks at work
- Fast on Tuesdays (rest days for training)
- One cheat meal a month!!! NOT EVERY WEEKEND!
- Remove sugar and white flour from my diet
Who am I kidding? I still have race goals ;-)
For now, I want to remember how low I am feeling. It sucks feeling sidelined. It really sucks watching my weight go up and acknowledging that every extra pound is putting me further away from my goals. Every time I want to slip back into bad habits or blow off a work out, I need to read this and remember that I don't want to feel this way anymore.
- Get to race weight of 135 by May 1 (Lose 1.1 pounds per week)
- PR at IMSR 70.3
- Complete CIM 2020
For now, I want to remember how low I am feeling. It sucks feeling sidelined. It really sucks watching my weight go up and acknowledging that every extra pound is putting me further away from my goals. Every time I want to slip back into bad habits or blow off a work out, I need to read this and remember that I don't want to feel this way anymore.
