Life vs. Triathlon

I feel out of touch, out of step..... out of breath. "Life" has kind of taken over my life lately and training has taken a back seat. I have to admit that I do not make a living with triathlon. However, with all of the time I put in, there are times when it starts feeling like a second job. But lately, my real job has monopolized my time. My daughter wants to join me during my training sessions, which inevitably end up in a wrestling/tickle fest for her.

Since I was a kid my life's mantra has been, "Work to Live". To say the very least, my mantra has been turned upside down lately. I am a computer engineer in real life and it seems like something is always breaking or needs to upgraded. I thought that with the onset of spring break, things would slow down as people leave town for a small break from the weather. (small note, we hit the highest temp of the year yesterday, a balmy 51 degrees.) Well, that hasn't seemed to of happened. Also the change in Daylight Savings Time has added a whole list of things to do. Although not hard to do, but it takes time to complete nonetheless.

My 2 year old daughter lately has decided that every time I head out for a training session, she needs to join me. If I get on the trainer, she "has" to sit up on my handlebars. If I jump on the dreadmill for a run, she gets on her "running shoes" to join me. Her "running shoes" are what ever shoes she has that are closest to the treadmill. She's awesome, but it tends to slow you down a bit. I think it's important for her to see my wife and me being active and that it's just something we do (and like to do) but again, it slows you down a bit.

I have also been asked to help coach the local high school soccer teams. I love it. Soccer has opened so many doors for me throughout my life, after all it put me through college. I had two chances at professional soccer after college, neither of which worked out. Soccer has been so good to me that I feel like I need to give a little back and I do that by helping out. I love the kids and that the time I spend with them, but again the time investment takes away from my training time.

Lately I have been trying to squeeze in something, anything when ever I can. If that means I can only get in a 30 minute swim before heading out to soccer practice, I'll do it. If I can only get 40 minutes on the dreadmill before having to read book at my daughters bedtime, I'll do it. Although, I don't know if this kind of training will get me to my goals I set for my season, they are the proverbial cards I have been dealt. I am not one to give up and walk away. So, the season my seem a little longer and hurt a little more, but I am cool with that. Feel the burn, LOVE the burn, kick the burns ass!!