Athletic Tourettes

So here we are. Again.

Yes, we've been down this road before. Starts and Stops. Athletic Tourettes. I finally had the courage to step on a scale a week ago. 286. About 35 lbs gained from IMCDA08. Resting heart rate that morning? An alarming 72 bpm. Something needs to be done. ASAP.

When it comes to training, I'm one of those people that need a goal. Something tangible to look forward to. Tangible, as in, an event or an accomplishment. Something to hang on the wall. It makes sense really. I read once that there are, in general, two kinds of salespeople - those that can can sell "things" and those that sell "ideas". Stocks, insurance - those are examples of "ideas", where cars, RVs, houses, boats - those are "things". I read that rarely does someone do well at selling both, and once you find out which "type" you are, you should stick with that. Having tried both, I can assure you that I'm a "thing" guy.

Being healthy and having fitness would be "ideas". Something you get as a result of something else. Finishing an Ironman or other race is a thing. An accomplishment. Perhaps I'm splitting hairs, but I've also tried to exercise, and I don't do that well. I do, however, train well. I'd argue that you exercise for general fitness but you train for a specific event. I'm a trainer (whatever gets you out the door, right?).

So short term, my goal is a nice Olympic in 8 weeks over in Clermont Florida, the Florida Challenge. They do a half IM as well that day, but starting, essentially, from scratch like I am, even an Olympic is a hearty goal to say the least. It's a "just finish" race, but the venue is great, and it will be a nice re-entry to the sport. We have a cabin lined up nearby, TriSherpaDi will be kayaking on a lake that day with her pal Linda; the whole affair will be pretty low key.

No PR's, no worry of a PW. Just getter-done. What's down the road? Some more "things"....