Training seems like an endless effort. It takes time and it can take a toll. The toll can be directly felt by those that are closest to you, your family. The time and places for training can be lonesome and far flung from those you love. These paths rarely cross and are often hard to relate. My kids are always the first to ask; How far did you go? The response is usually interpreted as just a number to them. Obviously, some are more impressive than others but the true effort eludes as it would most. Holiday times are especially difficult as you try to maintain your training while being supportive and active in family events and traditions.
Our holiday is rather similar year on year.For us its usually a rather calm Wednesday in preparation for the 5 day weekend. A pleasant surprise was the unprecedented warm temperatures that invaded our area for the first half of the holiday. There were temps in the low 60's. It allowed for me to take my bike training outside again for a very pleasant ride on Wednesday. 20 miles over an hour's ride made for a pleasant gateway to the holiday. I returned from the ride to gather the kids for "packet pickup". We were going to participate in our family's 2nd annual Thanksgiving AM 5k race. We really enjoy this opportunity to start the day of Thanksgiving with some physical activity that gives a bit of justification for those inevitable second helpings. For me it carried an added bonus. I was able to bridge that gap of training with family time. So we donned our gear and ran in the 1st annual Fishers Gobbler jog. For me, it allowed me to gauge my early training progress and set my seasons time standard for a 5k. The temps were cool to begin with as they were in the low 40's but the sun was bright and the winds were very light. It made for good running and fortunately my time showed it. I PR'd (personal record) my 5k with a 23:50. The whole family enjoyed the challenge and the chance to wish a happy thanksgiving to several friends and acquaintances who were participating as well. I can not recommend enough to try one of these races even if its just walking the distance as it really enhances your well being for the day not to mention that most of the entry fees go to charitable organizations such as ours going to a local food bank. The remainder of the day was spent enjoying a wonderful feast and the continued warm temperatures with family.
Friday was a scheduled recovery day(no training) for me but it provided a great opportunity for my son and I to continue our family's black Friday tradition of going hunting. For us, it was a spectacular quail hunt in southern Illinois with a good friend and his family that share a similar tradition. It was a truly a memorable time as my son got his first birds. The day was long and the drive even longer (8 hours) but well worth it and fortunately, again, the training did not compromise tradition and time with family and friends.
Saturday was an early start with a 6AM swim workout. I can honestly say I laid there thinking "skip it you can swim later today" numerous times before I finally rolled myself from my warm bed and headed for the pool. Again, the fact that I knew I had told my coach I was coming and the expectation of being held accountable to others creates motivation in place of weakness. The swim felt really good and it was good to work off some of the Turkey day consumption. A majority of the day was also spent pool side as I was officiating my daughters swim meet. Chlorine over load was peasant.
Sunday was a stark contrast to Wednesday as the temps were now in the mid 30's with 15 mph winds. I was due a bike workout and I had set my mind to doing it outside as a bit of a trial run on some cool weather bike gear I had gotten. So instead of settling into the recliner with some snacks to catch the Colts game I set the DVR and began to "layer" myself for the ride. Riding in cool weather is a real tug of war. No doubt, it is more cold when you ride. When you couple air temp with the wind from the weather and then you put your self on a bike doing 18-30 it gets downright nippy especially on exposed skin. Windchill is no joke during a two hour stint on a bike in depressed temperatures. In addition too, you can not throw on a snowmobile suit and ski mask. You must be able to pedal the contraption below you and in doing so you will build up a fair amount of heat and perspiration with that get up to a point of overload. Those items need to expelled to maintain compfortability and not have drast swings in core body temperatures. Therefore, I tend for keeping about three thin layers between me and the elements with these garments using the latest technologies in wicking. After some concern from the wife as she observed my layers. I explained the theory, my need, and my plan. I was now ready for departure. The ride was completed with success. Well, about as comfortable as is possible for the conditions. The good news was I had also gained insight to my "kit" for such conditions going forward.
My weekend was closed out with one last tradition. The disembarking of decorations for the holiday season from the attic. I guess you could call this workout; stretching. In closing, I was able to catch the Colts win and get ready for a new week. Thankfully, the "toll" ended up being negligible. Traditions were maintained, quality time and memories were made with family, and at the end of the week I was a net zero on the scale and kept my training plan intact. There is much to be thankful for this season.
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