Pondering, As Usual

    You may have noticed that I spend a prolific amount of time pondering my workouts and ways of ever increasing my fitness level. I do this for a number of reasons. One, I just like researching anything that interests me, and fitness has long been a favorite subject. I think it is safe to say that I have studied fitness and nutrition my entire adult life. Two, I am always looking to change things up, knowing that a stagnant workout regimen gives very poor results. Three, there are so many experts now available with the click of a mouse that why wouldn't I take advantage of their expertise? I could go on an on, ad nauseam, but I will spare you my exuberance.
    The last few weeks I have been seeking new, better ways to train for my chosen exploits. I have lofty goals for 2013 The Year of Grand Adventures, including my first half-Ironman, Scuba diving, adventure racing, and let us not forget the physical requirements of being a firefighter. Yeah, I don't ask much of myself. To this end I am researching at a fevered pace, learning, refining, plotting, scheming, dreaming. I have a stack of documents on my nightstand on everything from increasing speed and stamina, to fueling for Ironman, to sport specific strength training and stretching, swimming and running drills, racing strategies, and brilliant ideas for self managing/coaching. So much to ponder, a flood of fantastic information, ideas galore, workout regimens, ways to plot and measure progress.
    Brain is firing at full speed, racing ahead, formulating a solid plan of attack. I have always worked out hard, and these days I am working even harder. I have always studied and tried to optimize my workouts, but I know I am inclined to fall into habitual workouts, it is part of my OCD nature. Some of the most valuable information I have gleaned so far has to do with the management and self coaching that I need. If I had a coach they would map out a training program for me with specific training phases geared towards my Big Race of the season, since I am my own coach I need to handle this vital aspect of training. I need a calender, a rough schedule, and a day/week planner. Yes, this sounds ridiculously obsessive, but it is a reality. And the more I plan ahead, the less time and energy will be wasted on junk miles and ponderously worthless workouts.
    The idea of the half-Ironman excites the hell out of me, and scares the shit out of me. I vacillate between knowing I can do it, and the gut wrenching fear that I am setting myself up for abject failure. 1.2 mile Swim, 52 mile Cycle, 13.5 mile Run. What the hell am I thinking? Oh yeah, that this is just one of many epic endeavors to make 2013 The Year of Grand Adventures. What is Life without Risk? Triumph without the possibility of Failure? Adventures are never the easy route, the sure thing, that is what makes them adventures and not a stroll through the park. So much to ponder, so much to absorb, so much to roll around in Brain while it fuses into a solid plan. Eyes are on the horizon while Brain plans, Body works, and Heart pounds. So much to Ponder.