Managing the Mind

As I go along in this "off-season" or, what I think is more accurately termed, "in between season", I am learning how to manage my mind.  Let me explain.  You see, in my professional life, I have always been very goal oriented - very focused and driven.  And always eager to take on new challenges as I tend to get bored easily with the status quo.  That has led me to live in 3 states and many different 'jobs' in the last 19 years.  But only 2 companies.  My drive has taken me from stepping stone to stepping stone as I have moved forward in my career, but not from company to company.  The path has stayed fairly constant.

That being said - I have not had nearly the same success in my personal life as my professional life.  Don't get me wrong - I have an amazing family with a great wife, 2 incredible kids, wonderful parents, an inspiring brother, etc.  So that's not what I really mean.  I am talking about finding 'personal' success in the same way as I have found 'professional' success.  Finding something that drives me, challenges me, and motivates me to succeed. 

I have always had issues with my weight ever since I can remember.  And in the last 10 years, I blew up to over 300 lbs, lost some of that and bounced around the 275 mark for a while.  I used to think my drive was to lose a ton of weight - get to some magical 'number'.  But then what?  But in the last 2 years, I have found I have a new drive.  That of finishing an Ironman.  And the "then what" after that?  Well, do more, faster.  After that, who knows.  But at this point in the journey, I have a long way to figure that out.

But back on track - or rather - explaining how I got to my focal point.  At some point around 3 or 4 years ago (don't remember which) I started attending group fitness classes and was drawn to indoor spin classes.  This led to becoming RPM certified in 2010 but basically went nowhere after gaining certification.  At the same time, I had a goal of doing a sprint triathlon which I did - also in 2010.  And I was hopeful, all along the way, that my weight would just drop off as I trained and competed in these events.  But alas, that was not to be the case.

I went into this year, 2011, with enhanced race goals which were all achieved as described in prior posts.  And again, I hoped the weight would just fall off.  And again, this was not the case.  But as I ended my Augusta race and looked towards the remainder of the year, I knew that I had to change my focus - had to lose weight - in order to be more successful in any future race.  And that becoming more 'race fit' would be imperative to reaching the ultimate goal of finishing an Ironman.

I initially thought that if I just stopped riding/running/swimming and did ONLY a workout routine designed to aid in weight loss, I would be able to start back up in January.  Fresh, lighter, and ready to go.  So I chose something that would help lose weight AND add strength, which, I figured, would only help as well - P90x.  The only problem??  I don't really enjoy the workouts very much - I get bored - and I missed the crap out of riding my bike and (gasp!) running!

Going back to my work progression, I had (have) a "somewhat" unclear destination, but each "next step" has been very clear along the way towards my growth.  I could never have predicted where I would currently be.  But I could visualize each "next step" along the way.  And each of those steps took me closer to where I am today.  Some of those steps were harder than others, some just flat out sucked, and some were quite rewarding.  But for now, my current 'step' isn't so bad.

But in this fitness/triathlon/etc. progression, my "next steps" have been mashed together haphazardly in hopes I would somehow just "make it" to an Ironman finish.  This aint workin, so I need to change.  What I have come up with is that the actual goal at the end of the road isn't what is most important as long as there is some goal - even it isn't realistically achievable (Ironman in less than 10 hours, perhaps).  I have to focus on each stepping stone.  And for now, that stepping stone is all about losing weight.  I have to treat each day, week, month as if losing weight were my job.  And that is where I have to 'manage my mind' as I tend to do with my career.  Know what the future holds and work towards that.  But focus on the now.  Win today, then win tomorrow, and then the next day, and the next.  And eventually that stepping stone will be cleared and the next set up to tackle.


So after numerous failures and adjustments so far this off-season, I am refocusing (I see my wife rolling her eyes as she has heard this before).  Regardless, after reading a ton and getting great advice from great friends who are willing to share their expertise, I have developed a "base" weekly schedule based heavily on cycling (outdoors when I can, indoors on a trainer or class if not) and strength training 2x/wk.  These will be modified week to week, but will be basically the same until February when I will change to race specific training in preparation for Kansas. 

Back to the rolling of the eyes - I also know that I need accountability - so I will be posting at least every 2 weeks with progress reports that will include total weight lost, any improvements in a timed cycling route, obstacles/hurdles along the way, etc.  There may be no one out there who is intersted, but just by posting, it will keep me honest.

So - until next time.....