Over the past few years I’ve come to really enjoy training for the multiple sports triathlon offers.  The past two years have been a string of continual PR’s as I learned how to properly train and race.  This year started off no differently with 5k/10k/13.1 PR’s all achieved by April.

Then the meltdown began.  I had a pretty rough day at Tri Ft Worth 70.3 largely due to (a) lack of bike focus and (b) running a challenging marathon three weeks prior.  It’s interesting the impact a single bad day can have.  I figured I’d take a few weeks to rest and recover and then get back to the norm.

Here I am three months later.  According to TrainingPeaks my fitness level (blue line) is at a two-year low while my freshness (yellow line) is near a two-year high.  I’ve added a few pounds.  And my motivation most mornings is next to zero.  Much of the summer decline was due to having no races on the calendar.  Without a specific goal my progress naturally declines.

So now it’s time to gear back up.  My goal for the year was to PR at all four running distances.  The only one remaining is breaking four hours on a marathon.  Based on my 13.1 PR I should be capable of a 3:45 or better.  That’s assuming I can make myself get out of bed for a run every morning.

Here’s to fresh starts.