“This is about doing something difficult and not stopping when it becomes not just difficult, but cold and difficult… or cold and wet and difficult… or cold and wet and dark and difficult.”
-Suzy Hamilton
I told myself all day long that I’m not going out in the snow tonight. I’m skipping Master’s Swim. The negative self-talk was pretty loud. I’m not the best driver under good conditions. I’m not going. I hate icy roads. I’m not going. I’ll be driving in the dark, in the snow. I’ll work out at home instead. I’m really not going.
I had thrown a fleece over my flannel PJs and stayed in them all day – part of my little I’m not going anywhere today stand. Unexpectedly, I started getting agitated when it was time to go. I didn’t expect to NEED to go, but I did. I suddenly announced to hubby that I was going to go swim. He’s used to me making unexpected declarations, like, “Honey, I just signed up for EagleMan.” His response was “Okay, but pull the car back in the garage because it’s going to snow again tonight.”
The coach makes a special workout just for me. She will be sitting there with the workout she made to get me ready. And I’ll be where? At home by the fire? No. I’ll be at the pool knocking myself out to do it as fast as possible.
It’s easy to skip training – just this once – but skipping out isn’t going to get me ready for EagleMan. I made a commitment to my coach. I made a commitment to myself. Training for a Half Ironman should be 15 to 20 hours a week.
Race day is coming, ready or not.
Ready is better.
It is these extra training sessions where you show determination and go the extra mile which make the difference come race day! I went running in the snow today, and was scared stiff of injuring myself, was a good work out though, seemed to have to run twice as hard to get anywhere.
I am also signed up for the Eagleman, my first HIM. Have done a bunch of sprint tris and did the DC oly triathlon in 2011.
Keep up the writing, enjoying reading about your preparation! 15-20 hours a week training is hardcore! I am managing about 6 at the moment, and need to step it up soon!