More commuting on the bike and a 45 min run

Taking it easy again today. I'm struggling with what I think is a decrease in hormone levels as a result of not training as much right now. In the days after my last race of the season, I was bouncing off the walls with energy. I wasn't sore, wasn't tired, wasn't anything but ready to train and train and train. Now, though, even though I'm doing little rides and runs here and there, I've been a bit down in the dumps-not neccessarily mentally, but just physically. I feel tired more often than not and am drinking more coffee to find my energy.

Some of this decrease in energy may also be attributed to trying to restrict my caloric intake a bit. Nothing crazy, but since I'm only training about 1/3 to 1/2 of the time I usually do, I don't want to gain too much extra weight.

My commute on the road bike today was about 8 miles each way. I took the long way home, so I figure it was around 20 miles total on the bike today. Luckily, there are some very nice climbs between my home and work, so I try to hit them on both trips. Also, carrying a 20lb pack on my back with my clothes and shoes makes for some decent strength training.

The run this afternoon was with a client I'm helping to get ready for a few short duathlons. He's getting faster and his form is improving with every day. I'm happy for him and am looking forward to watching him race this Sunday.

There's a quote from Fight Club that goes something like, "Fight Club became the reason to cut your hair and fingernails short." I don't know the exact words but I've been thinking a lot about that part of the movie recently. I think to myself, "Triathlon became the reason to get my bills paid; the reason to shave my legs :); the reason to do the things that I hate in order to create an atmosphere that will allow me to succeed."

In my triathlon journey this year, a lot has happened. I've learned that I can be pretty good at this sport when I dedicate myself to it. There's a lot that goes with it, and it's an incredibly selfish sport, but when you dedicate yourself fully to it, the rewards are great. I don't want to be a selfish person, and I don't want to cut people out of my life. However, at this point in my life, with no wife, no kids, no girlfriend, and really not a whole lot of responsibility, I plan to dedicate myself with everything I've got to this sport. I doubt there will ever be another opportunity in my life where I can do this, so I'm going to take advantage of it. It may be selfish, but I'm not going to cheat myself out of knowing just how much I can accomplish if I put my true heart into it.

It may be selfish, and people may question my hermit-like existance, but this is what I truly want right now. I want this simplicity and solidarity. Most importantly, I don't want to look back in 15 or 20 years and say "What if?" Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't, but without taking some risks in life, nothing is ever accomplished.

It's gonna be good and I'm ready to tackle every bit of it.