Essential Training

So, anyone else sick of hearing the word essential or COVID!? How good are you at social distancing? I find myself thinking this is all an overreaction but then a story like this comes out and makes me think. A fellow IRONMAN competitor and someone currently training almost lost his life due to COVID-19. Until you can relate to something, I guess it is easy to brush it aside. Check out this article from a local news source, Voice of ALexandria here.

​While Rock N Roll Arizona was my last official race, I was able to compete in the virtual IRONMAN last weekend. I missed the boat on the first two races but signed up for VR3 which was intended to mimic a sprint triathlon. Consisting of a 1.5k run, 20K bike and finishing with a 5k run. The VR3 had over 20,000 finishers and I finished 3219th out of the 13,943 males who competed. Not sure how much weight you can put on those results since some people race outdoors, on trainers or a combination of both but it sure is fun to compete again! Naturally I singed up for VR4 which I'll complete this weekend. This virtual race is a 3K run, 40K bike and 10K run so basically a long course/olympic race. Still time to sign up fellow athletes, check it out!

Remember those good old days when you feared and later realized that you did in fact gain the freshman 15? Well as we are all stuck indoors and eating our feelings, the COVID 19 might be a real thing! Yes I shouldn't joke about it but if you are that thin skinned, we probably aren't friends anyway. Like many, I have found myself with a little extra time lately and have always found running as being a great way to escape. As strange as it might sound, a good long run is sometimes the most relaxing part of my day. And besides the weather, it is something I am in total control over. I determine the route, my pace and the level of effort.

I don't have a lot of stats or PR's to mention as racing is non-existent but my yearly mileage sure is creeping up! Year to date, my trip meter is at 864 miles. 471 of those miles in my Asics and the remaining 392 miles on stealth. Eventually, when Minnesota decides what season it is, Stealth can come off the trainer and start to get some real miles in on the central lakes trail!

​I had planned for racing the Brainerd half marathon, Fargo Full marathon and of course, Grandmas Marathon this spring/summer. This little thing called COVID-19 sure forked that up! Sure I am DISAPPOINTED and find myself thinking this is all crazy but here I am, training for the unknown. Trying to balance a healthy mix of maintaining my fitness level and staying motivated for IRONMAN Wisconsin in September. Will the race even still take place...will I be able to stock up on Spotted Cow? How do you stay motivated with no races to race? Is it wrong to have poopy pants over this while at the same time people are loosing their jobs and even lives? 

​When your life revolves around a sport, you make what seem like everyday decisions based on how it will impact your training/racing. You get asked to a bonfire but know you need to run 15 miles the next day. You should hit the sack early and ensure you fuel your body properly. But what about the friends and fun at the bonfire? THe late nights, cold beers and how can you forget the smell of bonfire on your hoody the next day. Everyone makes choices, everyone has priorities. It is human nature to desire being part of a group, being liked or simply comparing yourself to your friends. People will make more money, have a bigger house, drive nicer vehicles. Such is life. If I have learned anything from all of this "social distancing" and COVID-19 "crap", it is that some of my priorities were likely out of order.

As we go through this and return to what we thought was normal life, I hope people learn from this and we are all stronger together. Maybe we can all arrange our priorities in a more sensible fashion. Materialistic "look at me" items might slip down your list and those basic things like your friends, family and health jump up a few spots. Don't get me wrong, we all like nice things but when a loved one is ill or passes, what do you remember. Do you think about that boat and big house Or do you think about that time you sat around the fire till the sun came up or the time you terrorized the NEIGHBORHOOD on your mini bike? What about that time you were "too busy" to stop in and say hi to the grandparents and know you can't even visit them if you wanted to?

I think I have gone astray from my typical writing topics enough for now. Just remember, if it makes you happy, you should probably do it. Worry about yourself and loved ones. Control what is controllable. Take care of the people who care for you. And lastly, don't take things too seriously, none of us get out of here alive!

​​“THERE IS NEVER A RIGHT TIME TO DO THE WRONG THING, AND THERE IS NEVER A WRONG TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING”