A lesson in priorities and big-picture ground rules

I believe I learned an important lesson in priorities during tonight's run, as well as the value in sticking to my big-picture ground rules. I decided to run around Portage Bay (PB) tonight instead of Greenlake 1. because I wanted to better my time around PB from last time, maybe even break the 20 minute mark and 2. I had a friends BBQ to go to at 7:00pm (I usually try to catch up with family friends before take a long trip such as the one to Australia). I was feeling pretty good at the start and actually probably went off a little too quickly. But...it became very clear to me at about the half way point that my legs just weren't wanting to perform. They were tight, a little wobbly and just wouldn't move as fast as I wanted them to during the interval on times. I am still a little under the weather from a brief cold I had, but not enough to affect my running. Since I was having major thoughts of stopping and just walking the rest of the way, I knew I had to do something to turn this into a positive experience. One of my big-picture ground rules has always been that I have to enjoy this process of training for the pentathlon...I have to push and challenge myself, but it must remain a pleasant experience or I'll dread the workouts rather than look forward to them. So I decided to stop the intervals and just jog it out for the rest of the PB course. Well...I did finish and actually speeded up a little at the end. Although I didn't accomplish the sub 20 minute goal I had, at least I didn't end in a failure either.

I think part of the problem may have been that I changed my priorities over this last week and a half. I was sick for a couple days - and didn't do anything - and then intentionally changed my priorities from training to spending some time with family and friends before I take off for my trip. I haven't fenced at all this month and haven't done as many runs or swims as I usually do either. When you're doing 2-3 workouts a day, its a little easier to stay focused. Its not that I can't or won't be able to spend the time with family and friends, I just have to recognize the effects and manage the time off a little better both physically and mentally.