Day 12 - Just Do It

Fridays are always a dilemma at the moment. Do I get up early and train in the gym, or get up early and study for this weeks' exam? Well, last week I chose gym so for contrast I chose study. I wanted to test a theory about gym versus study on a friday prior to my exam. I was feeling awesome from the gym, but slightly under prepared for the exam - you know, last minute "did I study enough" syndrome.

Round 2

So, still I still got up, and bounded out of my rack and got my life in order. By 0520h I was chomping on my gluten free cereal and eating a ripe banana, whilst reading through my revision on Fluids Management…. How apt, because everyone knows that early morning draining of the "main" is essential! I digress.

Study done, I went to the revision class then sat my exam. A few curve-ball questions in I felt fairly happy with my progress, albeit a little guilty for not training yet…strange how that works!

After the exam, whilst smashing a frozen yoghurt smoothie, I decided to go for a gym session after lunch, then swim for cardio.

Ding, Ding!

After frustratingly honest and accurate conversation with Mr P, I realised I was perhaps idling on my training, and not paying enough attention to my whole nutrition improvement plan. Angered at this, but acutely aware at how he had me pinned - "Grr, I hate it when people are so right, and can't understand why I don't get it!" - I decided to skip lunch in lieu of the fact I'd not long ago had a smoothie and should do some exercise.

Mr P - I get it, but will power is part of my journey - Yea! I said it journey!

I've decided to adopt a few changes, to draw a few lines on the ground and mark out some modifications to my diet and training. They are a work in progress so will likely change if I decide to get more into it…..(that was my disclaimer)

My Challenges:

1. I plan to swim 2-3 lunch times every working week, and have a liquid lunch.
2. I test out my metabolism by eating more frequently, but smaller portions throughout the day
3. I will try to use self-control to reduce and eventually remove sugar nasties and less than healthy choices
4. I will not eat late at night, or directly before bed
5. I will continue to hydrate and include more electrolytes into my diet

Freaky Tri-day

So, by 1430h I had realised I had skipped lunch but I'd need to get out training. I left the wardroom set in my mind - Ride 20km then swim 1km, follow it up with a shoulder burn out in the gym. I think that was a better plan...As I cruised into the 15km point on my ride, very close to Crib Point, I had yet another Rocky training montage come to mind, which pushed me to think about my workout as I rode. I ended up deciding I'd do a quick transition from ride gear to run gear and add a 5km run into the workout. Well that meant a quick three storey climb up the fire escape stairwell with my awesomely light weight road bike a quick strip off (in my cabin) and change to run gear. We can call that T1. It took about 2-3 minutes, I even smashed a huge gulp of water as I slammed the door behind me and switched my Garmin 910XT into Run mode. 

I ran around HMAS Cerberus, and decided on the fly that I would be running off-base (lucky I have an awesome bro in law & sis in law) so glad I had my ID card in my "SPIBELT" pouch! I continued off-base and enjoyed the run towards the local golf course, at the 4km point I turned about and head back. I finished the short 8km run by running back up the fire escape, grabbing my pre-packed swim bag (and another gulp of water) and running down to the gym! As I heaved at the counter, sweating all over the place I quickly signed in and headed to the pool. I got changed into my "nut-huggers", grabbed my goggles and jumped into the pool - T2 - remembering to switch my watch over to Swim mode right at the last second. T2 took less than 3 minutes.

As I swam the first of 20 lengths of the 50m pool, which was completely empty besides me, I started to feel really motivated, like a heightened focus to swim as hard as I could to knock it over! I reached the deep end and attempted my first tumble turn, and pulled it off (I only do at the deep end, but I'm learning at least). Before I knew I was already half way through my 1km swim and feeling pretty good. I completed the swim in a not too embarrassing time and gave my legs and arms a proper stretch.

I'd just completed a triathlon (albeit out of sequence) in 02:04:58 and it was my first ever! So here's how it went:

Ride: 20.43km, 49:49

Run: 8.234km, 44:30

Swim: 1.0km, 30:38

After a quick change, post swim,  I spent the next 60 minutes training hard in the gym - busting some new moves on my already aching shoulders. I think I'll incorporate a few of those new exercises into my workout for shoulders next week too!

Motivation

Anyway, so motivation huh? It comes in all sorts of packages, ways and wonders. Its also quite revealing to have frank discussions occasionally, that lift you up and make you push harder. Motivation is great, but its hard to conjure when you're feeling homesick, tired or hungry. So train hard, wake up early and hydrate. Talk to your loved ones, tell them you love them and stay focussed. 

Train hard. Get stuck in. Just Crack On.