I had a coach-athlete talk with myself recently.
I realized I had about a 6 month break from training (April – Oct, thank you shoulder & foot), and the golden rule is… however long you are out, take twice as long to return to that level. I admit, I was trying to push getting back to training, albeit a lot lower level.
Then another realization: I need a lot more strength training, for multiple reasons, then I had been doing (even prior to the bionic knees). So that takes more energy, hence less energy for cardio training.
I love rowing. This needs to stay in my training plan.
I miss my (almost) daily walks when they don’t happen. I’ve noticed in the past they tend to drop off in ‘winter’, but this year will be different! The madness of the holidays & lack of recovery had me being gentle with myself, but I’m ready to return to these now!
I also need patience so all of this can evolve into what is right for the new & improved ME!
So, I’m gearing up for my “A” triathlon in…. November. I’ll do a few events between now & then for fun – a couple 5ks, a sprint triathlon or 2 – and hold off on any 10ks until after November 2026.
Which means I’m gonna start my return to 10ks with my favorite one – Spicewood Vineyards. They’ve also got a 5k & half marathon if you want to join me! You’ve got 11 months to train, and I know a good coach if you need. (oh no she didn’t!)
It will take time, but I’ll be able to get back to something like I was doing before, similar but different.
Just not today. Or tomorrow. Or next month.
I’m in my “foundation” period now through track season (end of April). Then I shall see where I am, and progress accordingly. I’ve also got a few more weeks of foot PT before I can really figure out a better schedule.
My goal for 2025 was to finish 15 books, and I did it! The shoulder, foot & travels slowed me down a bit, so we’re gonna say I’m done with surgeries & injuries, but not travel. Let’s see if I can finish 17 in 2026.
I’ve got 2 audio books in the process, as well as 2 assigned readings for a Foundations of Reflexology course I’m taking. No, not planning on adding reflexology, but rather deepening my understanding of how the body works as a unit, and deepening my body whispering. It’s gonna take a while to get through these 2 books because I play with my feet as I read. Yes, you will benefit from this soon.
Over the Christmas 4 day weekend, I finished a thing… I was working on the self-study part, and got an email saying if I finished before 12/24, I could get in on the 12/26-28 virtual part of USA Track & Field Level 1 Certification. So I spent my 3 of my 4 days off in a workshop along with 38 other people. Took the test on 12/31, and here I am. Certified. Certifiable?
I’ve also started on the US Master’s swimming level 1 course. Completion might be slowed by the reflexology course.
And track season is about to start. Oy vey!
Studio closings:
- January 23-27 (need a real break before track starts, since I didn’t have a real Christmas break)
- February 23 (Monday)
- March 23 (Monday)
- April 26 – May 5 (will have Pilates class & coaching on the 5th)
Keep in mind I get more tired as track season progresses, so I’ll be dropping a few hours as it goes – mostly Tuesdays in Taylor, but shortening some Monday on occasion after track meets. I’m working on balancing my energy better this year.
Austin openings
- Wednesday, January 21, 215p
- Wednesday, February 11 @ 1145a
Taylor openings
- Thursday, January 15, 1215p
- Thursday, January 22, 315p
- Thursday, January 29, 4p
- Thursday, February 12, 1215p
Please ask to be on added to the wait list if you don’t find something that works for you, be considerate of how busy I am and check my scheduler before you ask me to look and see if I have anything. I will ask you if you’ve looked first. My schedule does change, last minute cancellations do happen.
Bet you thought that one was Zoe too! She is my “owl” cat after all.
Thank you for reading all this way! If I’ve inspired you, let me know.
Life moves forward, are you evolving with it?
