I wanna be a pro - or do I....

Like many, I harbor dreams (delusions?) of being a pro athlete - specifically, a cyclist or triathlete.  I think of how nice it would be, how much more time I would have if that whole work thing didn't get in the way of my training.  You know, a good brick workout in the morning, a nice nap, a second workout in the afternoon, maybe a recovery massage, and a nice sleep that night.  Sounds pretty nice....

 

But look at the other side:  you have to perform; or in other words, you eat what you kill.  Your livelihood depends directly on your performance, and you're only as good as your most recent race (or season).  A few bad races, and sponsors start to question their investment.  You're always hustling to meet your contractual obligations, be they meet-and-greet at races, or placing in so many races per year. 

 

And there is an expiration date on your career - be it chronological (how long can someone compete?), or physical (injuries - be the acute or chronic).  And no one knows when an accident can happen.

 

Every job has its own set of stresses, which is good to remember when you're in the middle of a night shift in the ER...

Welcome to the Off Season

Actually, mine started about a month ago.  Plenty of ice cream, less intensity on the workoputs, bike rides with little purpose than to see what's over the next rise.  But it's getting to be about time to get back into some training.  But what training goes well with winter cold and turkey?

I read an interesting article from Coach Jorge over at E3 Training Solutions; on Base Building (http://coachjorgem.blogspot.com/2008/01/what-exactly-is-base-training.html ) and how best to approach this time of year - next races months away, working on the best plan for next year.  One thing I'll add in to what Coach Jorge syays, is efficiency.  It's a great time of year to work on technique - be it on your swim stroke, or your cyclle spin.  Maybe even test out minimalist running to see how it works for you.  Without an imminent race, it might also be time to play with your nutrition; see what agrees with you during that longer run.

And as it's time to relax, maybe time in sports other than S/B/R - paddleboarding seems big this year, and in New England, lots of snow sports get their due right now.

Don't forget some extra family time, too...

Enjoy the off-season, make good use of it.  The seasons will start back soon enough with your first build!

Be Where You Are

Part One:  Be Where You Are

Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  Be where you are.  You might even ask, “Where else would I be?”  The probable answer is, “Somewhere else.”

Sure, your body is in that meeting, but where is your mind?  Thinking about the grocery shopping, your kid’s report card, your next race, your last dinner, your to-do list, your car repair bill, your....  You get the idea.  

Later, you head out for a bike ride, and where is your mind?  Thinking about that meeting you didn’t pay attention in, your work to-do list, the grocery shopping, the....  You get the idea.

And then you get home.  Instead of spending time with family, you’re sitting in the room with them, playing on your phone, answering work emails, half-listening to details of the day, thinking about that meeting or your next training session.

So:  Where are you?  To quote the musical group Rush, “Anywhere but here”.

What are we accomplishing with this pattern?  When we’re at work, we think of home; when we’re at home, we’re distracted by work.  Neither place is getting our undivided attention, and everything is suffering for it.

Think your family wants you to be ‘at work’ when you’re with them?

Think you’re boss wants you ‘at home’ when you’re in the office?

Think you’re training is going to go well if you’re not focused?

Of course, things will come up:  if the little one is sick, you’re going to be distracted at the office.  A big presentation at work will distract you at home.  And I have some of my best thinking time when I’m training SBR.  But these should be the exception.

Try it:  next meeting, be at the meeting.  Next sales call, be with the client.  Next training session, focus on your body’s response to small changes and the feedback you get.

And most importantly, when you’re with friends and family, put the smartphone away and turn the computer and TV off.  Be there with your family, chat about the day.  Sure, you can talk about work or training, but that’s a conversation, not focusing on it at the expense of the person in the room.  Twitter/Facebook will survive without you checking every 5 minutes, and I’m certain that email can wait until later.

You will find success at home, work and training if you can be where you are.  It takes a little practice, and you will find days it is harder than others.  It does pay huge dividends by being more productive at work and training, and your family will get all of you - and isn’t that what they deserve?

To Be Continued...