I’ve been trying to quell my racing itch for two years now, so I can focus on losing weight and evening out my imbalances. But there’s definitely something addictive about long distance racing. The day after the Ironman, I accompanied my friend in line while he waited to register for next year’s race. All the while dropping me hints that when we get to the front of the line, I should just sign up.
I was able to resist the temptation, but whenever I get around my triathlon friends, the urge just re-appears! I just have the feeling that I’m not really built for long distances, and I’m bound to hurt myself if I try. I feel like a huge mess with one loose ankle, one tight calf, one tight hip, and plantar fasciitis in both feet. I feel like even attempting longer distances will set me back whatever progress I’ve been making. How do people train for these things without completely falling apart??
Perhaps if I continue to feed myself a steady diet of yoga, foam rolling, and balance exercises, I’ll some day be able to add long distance training again without hurting myself. And hopefully in the meantime, I don’t do something dumb like sign up for an Ironman. . .
Reflections of Gratitude
I’m feeling so sad with this post. It’s hard to think of something to be grateful about when I’m writing about not being able to participate in a sport I love!
I will say that I’m grateful to have so many other interests to keep my occupied when I can’t participate in triathlon. I am enjoying being back in the gym lifting and doing yoga on a regular basis. My only regret is that I don’t have the community feeling in those sports as I do with triathlon.
Perhaps I should look into befriending more lifters and yogis?
River's Adventures in the Big City 