I'm not sure what to do.
I love the new year. I love the promise of new things, new adventures, new challenges. I love starting a new month. Hell, I love starting a new week. I'm all about looking towards the future.
For 2007 I have some definite things I want to accomplish. Most of them revolve around health and fitness; or at least the ones that require the most out of me. A couple of these however, come into conflict with each other.
I really had my heart set on doing Honu 70.3 in June. However, I was extremely concerned about it because of my weight. I know if I could drop these last 30 lbs I'd be able to handle 70.3 a whole lot better than I can now.
And that's the other goal, I want to drop these last 30 lbs. I know me and I know my body. I need to weight train in order to drop weight. Weight training and hard cardio are what I need to do.
Now, since I only have X amount of hours available for workouts (I would like to have a life outside this) what do I do?? If I focus on Honu there's not enough time to weight train so I'll go in pretty much at this weight and dragging 30 extra lbs 70.3 miles is exponentially harder than not. If I weight train I won't be able to put the time into the pool, running, and biking that I need in order to do Honu. So I'm torn.
I'm leaning towards the weight loss. Mainly because I've been trying to lose weight for so long it's time to just get where I want to be and because once I lose the weight tris will be that much better (I almost said easier - ha).
My Honu training starts on Dec 31 and I would start my serious weight loss on Jan 1 so I do have some time.
During the weight loss stage I would definitely continue to run so I would keep that up. What would suffer most is my swimming which needs the most work.
So I'm thinking of devoting the first 3-4 months to an all out blitz weight loss. Weight training, strict eating (not much different than I'm eating now just no ice cream/candy/beer). If I could lose the weight in 3 months that would only leave me 3 months to train for Honu. If it took me 4 that would only leave 2 months for Honu. If it takes longer......
On the other hand I was really looking forward to a couple of tris early in the season......
Ugh, I don't know. I flip back and forth. I try to think which is most important to me at this point, unfortunately that can change depending on how I'm feeling. UGH!!!!!!!
Of course, if I devote the early part of this year to weight loss it will have a number of benefits for tris. I will weight less therefore be able to bike and run faster (I know this is true from experience). I will be stronger and it may well help my swimming. I will undoubtedly have greater muscle endurance. I will look way better in a tri suit ;)
Also, I live in Hawaii. We have tris through November. So I miss the early season ones, there are plenty later in the season. Then I'll be ready for the early seasons one in 2008 and I'll be in great shape for Honu 2008.
Oh, I don't know. Clearly I have to think this out more and figure out what I really want.
3 comments:
So you'll do weights and no cardio at all? How many days do you have to workout? I'm confused but my weight workouts are limited to 2-3 per week.
I say go all out with weight loss for Jan-Feb and train for Honu from that point on. You might be surprised how motivated you'll become if you lose 10-15 pounds and have a half IM on the horizon.
Just a few of my random thoughts for what their worth.
How often do you have to lift to help with your weight loss? ie figure out the hours/week you feel that you need to lift in order for it to help you. Would you have time then for at least 1 swim/week? I've always read and been told that because swimming uses the smallest muscles you can get in and out of shape for that the quickest. I think 3 months is plenty of time left to get ready for the swim. Even if you don't come out of the water as fast as you want as long as you swim relaxed and efficient it will be a positive start to a good race.
Clearly it seems to me the answer to all your decisions is that you just need to win the lottery so you don't have to work anymore then you'll have time for everything.
I do believe Sharon's lottery suggestion is the total answer. I know that's where my dreams start. LOL!
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