Building Endurance

I love triathlon training. I'm sure I've said this before, but it is a great way to get and stay healthy. Triathlon training is about consistent workouts that may increase gradually, never suddenly. Slow and steady wins the race. I correlate it to the tortise and the hare fable. This is doing wonders in reprogramming my thinking. I've always been intense personality, figuring it was all or nothing. In the past, if I had a moment or a week of weakness in my diet or lack of motivation in my workout, I just figured I had slipped that far, no point in continuing to try to get healthy. Not true! Triathlon, and other motivational sources are teaching me that slow, steady moderation can and will get the job done. And I am trying to carry over this concept into other areas of my life.

On this note, today I worked on endurance in the pool. Today was not about speed, but about going the distance. And this is something I am eager to work on in preparation for the triathlon. We are starting it out slowly, and Trish knows just how far to push me so that I am challenged but I can likely do what she is asking. It's awesome. Today, I practiced slowly pacing myself so I could go longer distances, and with shorter and shorter rest periods. It was fun. I am looking forward to making more progress in this aspect.

Now for the HOLIDAY TIP: I heard this one on the Motivation to Move podcast. Find some time on Thanksgiving morning to get out of the house and workout, perhaps a little longer than you normally would. Most gyms are open in the morning, or you can go it on your own outside or at home. Additionally, a few days before Thanksgiving, "average" your calories. Even if you are eating sensibly, (please don't consume the average 7000-8000 calories that the average American does on this holiday) chances are you are going to consume more than you normally would. So, what I mean by "averaging your calories" is eat less than you normally would so that you can "average out" those extra calories on Thanksgiving. Getting in a workout together with averaging your calories can help you sail safely past Thanksgiving and stay focused on your health and fitness. Good luck.