Running on empty

My last blog post I talked about taking time off from races. It's been a tough year for this coach.

I'd like to elaborate a bit on what that means, then I'll give an update.

As a triathlete my general training schedule, depending on what phase I'm in, usually has three running sessions per week; one endurance run, one intensity & one fun run with my dog. I have two bike rides (endurance & intensity) & two to four swim sessions (one endurance & lots of technique. A few short swims). I take two days off every week, which means some days I do two disciplines in one day, & I take one week off per month. 

This is not an overly taxing schedule. This is also the general plan for me, as I

Me on far left with my triathletes I trained for
Honolulu Tri in May.
I wasn't able to do this race, my first year not
participating. What a great team!

always have to listen to my body. Sometimes those intensity sessions are quite short, and those endurance sessions end up being short too. Depends on my health that day and again, what phase of training.

But this year - meaning all of 2017 up through August, I had two run sessions that felt good. Like a normal person. Two. Two run sessions from January to August that I didn't feel encased in cement, lugging my body through each step. Two runs that I didn't have to mentally force my body to move. This is why I tell my clients if I can do it they can do it. 

This is not over training syndrome. This is chronic illness folks. It tries to suck every bit of joy in life from you, and it will if you let it. It tries to take what you love away, and it will if you let it. Which is why I willed my body to go & refuse to give up on the joy life brings. I always say God gave me an extra dose of zest for life because He knew I'd need it. I love my zest. I love my zest & I love triathlons.

My last race was the Ironman 70.3
Hawaii. I did the swim in the relay.
It. Was. Awesome. Don't set limits!

Please, before you say I should quit, understand that my doctors have told me the only reason I am not disabled is due to me taking supreme care of myself. Everyone else they've come across with the test numbers similar to mine HAVE BEEN DISABLED. Disabled, people. And here I am doing my thing. Praise God for giving me a love of health & fitness at an early age so it was already my lifestyle before I got sick!

So the remaining 2017 race season is for shorter, less intense workouts and no races. I'm keeping it under Z4 & no longer than 30 minutes. So far I've been quickly recovering from each session. I've got the rest of 2017 to go. We'll see what 2018 brings for this zesty coach and triathlete! One thing's for sure, I am not giving up on myself.