Blood sweat and gears: the day I almost quit

It's been a hard year, I suppose you have guessed that already. In fact, it was only today, when a friend congratulated me on gaining a spot on the GB team for my fourth world championships that she also reminded me how well I had done, considering I lost a whole season to the head injury last year.

Striking a balance - LIFE GOES ON!

Triathlon can be addictive. A recent blog by Chrissie Wellington reminded me of this. Then I considered what I thought to be addicted:

Need a regular fix of something

Become cranky and irritable of you don’t get it

Suffer withdrawal symptoms...

Need I go on...! Yes, I am addicted to triathlon. This is good, because it is what drives me, what motivates me to get out there, complete the training come what may, get it all done, improve, do my best. BUT.... it can also be at the expense of other things I have come to realise. This is still NOT the day job. it is NOT what makes the world go round, pay the bills.

Mistakes that I have noticed in myself that means there’s an imbalance:

·       Family holidays begin to revolve around where the next big race is

·       When I get a social offer, I wonder first what the impact is on training will be

·       When I go away, I always take trainers and the first thing I do is look for the nearest gym

·       When something crops up in real life that prevents a training session I have a melt down

·       Spare time is fitted around training

·       The husband is fitted in around training

·       Meals are fitted around training

·       If I am not careful – work is fitted around training!

Need I go on!! ? How many do you recognise in yourself?

The DAWN of realisation!

I went away this weekend. The purpose was a primary school reunion in my home town of Burnley, Lancashire. It was very surreal. I almost didn’t go. I was cajoaled into it by more than one person. It didn’t seem like home. The hills seemed much bigger (I didn’t run when I was a kid, so didn’t care what the hills were like!) and the missed training frustrated me.

BUT

I met up with a ton of people I hadn’t seen in many many years. I turned down the last reunion – it didn’t fit around training and races. I ACTUALLY HAD A REALLY GOOD TIME.

It made me realise a few things though:

·       I sometimes take everything far too seriously

·       I can afford to lighten up a bit and it will NOT make me instantly slower

·       A social life is very important

·       Friends are very important – REAL ONES!

So, a word of warning, to all athletes, triathletes, and anyone else, take a look – is YOUR balance correct? Does your life still go on?

I have made a vow to myself that mine will, from now on!

Do YOU believe in New Year’s Resolutions? I DO!!

Why not visit my most recent 2011-2012 blog that show you how to set effective New Years Resolutions that WILL WORK

I always set New Year’s resolutions. The difference for me is in recent years they have been short, simple, easy to achieve, and I leave them written on the write on-wipe off notice board above my computer ALL YEAR!

My 2010 resolutions were:

Laugh once each day!

Be more decisive!

I usually make my new year’s resolutions something I need reminding to do, something I don’t do enough, or something I need to learn to do more. With this in mind:

My 2011 resolutions are:

Spend more time with my husband

Always remember to look at the BIGGER picture

Why these? Because, I confess that sometimes I do spend a lot of time training and not a lot relaxing, so I need to remember that more, and hubby gets ‘left out’ some times, unintentionally I guarantee you. Also, my big problem is when I come upon an obstacle, I tend to think ‘catastrophe’ rather than remembering there is more to everything than what is happening in just that moment.

You think it’s a waste of time? Don’t know where to start? I surfed the net and found a selection of ‘popular’ New Year’s resolutions. A selection of the best (in my opinion!) is here:

1.     Learn something new

2.     Manage weight

3.     Save money

4.     Get into shape – one of the top 3 most popular new year’s resolutions people fail to keep!

5.     Read a new book a month

6.     Eat more fruits and vegetables every day. Make it a goal to add at least three

7.     Join a health club and go at least 3 times a week

8.     Build muscle. Remember, each pound of muscle burns an extra 40 calories a day while at rest!

9.     Take the stairs instead of the elevator

10.  Park further away

11.  Cycle to work / walk to work

12.  Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night

13.  Limit your sugar and fatty food intake

14.  Take a few vacations and weekend trips

15.  Take up a new hobby

16.  Take time for yourself

17.  Smile more often (it really is contagious)

18.  Have spa days

19.  Recycle more

20.  Be a more attentive parent, spouse, or friend

21.  Spend more time with your loved ones

22.  Make people laugh

23.  Bond with a family member that you don't see often

24.  Have family night at least once a week

25.  Have date night with your partner or spouse at least once a week

Tips for making resolutions:

1. Gather support from everyone around you.

2. Set realistic goals.

3. Keep it simple.

4. Distance yourself from places where temptation exists.

5. Focus on the rewards, not the punishment.

6. Set a target date.

7. Develop a plan.

8. Take the first step.

IF GETTING INTO SHAPE IS ONE OF YOUR RESOLUTIONS then read these: (some may require flash player)

http://www.melanieryding.co.uk/#/exercise-getting-started/4542940021 for simple ideas to get started from scratch with exercise

http://melanieryding.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-is-3-2-1-diet.html an easy non counting way to lose weight (I still follow this plan)

http://www.melanieryding.co.uk/#/easy-core-training-at-home/4543153895 easy ways to do core training at home

http://www.melanieryding.co.uk/#/30-no-excuses-home-exercises/4546871346 30 no excuses home exercises (web version)

http://melanieryding.blogspot.com/2010/12/30-no-excuses-home-exercises-for.html 30 no excuses home exercises (mobile friendly version)

http://melanieryding.blogspot.com/2010/11/resistance-workout-at-home.html resistance work from home (mobile friendly version)

http://www.melanieryding.co.uk/#/articles-home-page/4546649014 more articles that may be of interest

Becky White’s blog is worth a read if you need help with planning New Year’s resolutions: http://www.onesixeightfitness.com/blog/6-steps-achieving-your-new-year-fitness-resolutions

So, now you can tell me, what will your new year’s resolution be?

Even I am not invincible!

I learned a few valuable things this week. It’s been a tough tough week, both work, training, and socially. I also have had my boiler break down – big financial stress, throughout this week I have come to learn a few things (through reflection, at the time I was NOT seeing it this way!)

1.      If I do not manage the sessions prescribed, coach will NOT kill me, it will not kill me. Listen to your body. On Friday I was absolutely exhausted. I felt like cr@p because I did not do the run that I was meant to do. Hubby reminded me this is NOT my occupation, it’s a hobby. Sometimes @nuuutymel can be just a little bit too nutty! I think I need to get a grip, and get things back in perspective. It was only 1 hour. The last time I failed to complete a prescribed session was September 15^th (and only then because I was just back from the Worlds! The time before that that I missed a session was 24 July!)

2.      In times of stress, 3-2-1 or not, I must NOT eat cr@p! Don’t buy any, therefore the craving does not get satisfied, and you don’t finish up feeling guilty!

3.      I CAN manage without visiting the scales all the time! Hubby didn’t believe me that I wouldn’t get obsessive when I asked for digital scales for Christmas. I haven’t been to weightwatchers since they launched pro points. I stepped on a scale in the gym the other day. Nothing to fear. Believe in yourself. Believe in how you feel, how the clothes fit. Numbers don’t matter. Lifestyle matters more.

4.      3-2-1 is STILL working! I have not given weight loss a thought at all. I am, however well into the habit of training after meals. It now seems normal. As does the 3-2-1 portion sizes. I don’t have to obsess about counting calories, points, or any other thing. Weight loss and 3-2-1 go hand in hand now. And I still have the strength to train, and can have the odd slip up without it causing mayhem in the scales department!

5.      There is a life outside triathlon! Sometimes I get all consumed by training, always wanting to do better, train better, but I discovered (because I was forced this week!) that non triathlon socialising IS ok!! I am not a full time athlete, and I must remember that! When training encroaches on your social life, it’s time to back off a bit.