As I think about my journey back into triathlons after doing very little training for the last 7 years
(last tri was in 2017
), I am very reflective of why I am coming back, and what is my motivation.
I DNFd the only Half Ironman I signed up for
(2008 Kansas 70.3
), which was right before our little family started growing. My family has stopped growing
(1 wife and 2 kids
), and now that the kids are grown up a bit
(15 and 9
), training is easier to work into my schedule.
But, as I have been in the gym lifting weights regularly since the start of the year, and started running more consistently again, I step back and think about my motivation. What's my why.
I am not as young as I used to be
(45 this summer
) and I don't recover as fast as I used to. I need to train smarter this time around, and be more mindful of it. But as I train, I realize I feel...alive, vibrant, healthy, and strong! I can keep up with my kids in sports, and have the mental focus to lead my family and my team at work. I have strength, energy, and passion again.
And I'm curious - what's your "why"? What are we doing this all for? Some of us are chasing demons; some of us are running from the same demons; some of us just love training and racing. What's your "why" ?