The Battles

I have been having a lot of mental battles with myself lately and a few times there has been an all out war go on in my head. The battles aren't too often negative (although I was pouting on my run today because of the icy wind cutting my face) or due to lack of motivation, but rather pressure to make the right choice to get the most benefit out of whatever it is I am trying to do. Don't you hate making a choice, then regret it later? I don't have tons of extra time, so I want to get it right, and I want to get the most out of the choice I've made.

This time of year in the midwest creates many opportunities for battle. My motivation is up there. Its January, and races have been scheduled and paid for. I want to see how fast I can go in 2012! But when you wake up to hear the howling wind, snow flying and a high of 25 making it feel much colder, the battle starts. Not whether I will do the workout or skip it. But..... is it better to spend 20 min bundling up to run through the cold wind and snow feeling like the Michelin Man, or get the quality work in on the dreadmill. I don't like the TM unless its for a speed session, but do end up on it more than I like due to convenience or cold.

Today I started my run on the TM, but got so bored, I ended up layering up and doing the rest outside in the cold. Yesterday I rode outside in 14 degree wind chill on my cross bike in the snow, because being cold sounded more fun than riding the trainer. Jumping into a cold pool when you've already been frozen twice that day is a battle I face every time I'm on the pool deck. I've been better at talking myself into this one. Sometimes neither choice seems fun but getting it done is what counts and not doing it is worse. I want to be ready for the races and not be 3 steps behind when race season gets near.


Dad and I cheering for Adam in Kona

I had a big battle in my head regarding my trip to our TBC Death Valley Camp. This will be an awesome event with miles of great outdoor riding and lots of fun friends and training partners, but I have decided to take the time to make a quick trip home to Oregon to see my Dad who is having some medical testing done and I really feel I need to see for myself what is going on. Tough decision, but absolutely the right one and... going home to Oregon is never something I dread doing! The easy decision that put up no fight is that I will still take my bike to snag some outdoor Oregon bike miles in the foothills of Mt. Hood