Over the past week I have done a lot of thinking. Returning to a normal schedule has emphasized what I choose to allow into my schedule and what I have eliminated as a result. The start of August emphasized just how little summer is left, which really means there is not much triathlon season left.
I have done two triathlons this year. Yes, one was the longest race I’ve ever done, and I was training for it for five months, but normally at this point in the summer I am in full-on triathlon mode, and I honestly haven’t even ridden my bike in over a month. I’m pretty ashamed to say that I haven’t swum since the Latta Triathlon in June. Have I ceased being a triathlete?
I’ve been struggling with defining myself as an athlete the past few months. In the back of my mind, the idea of “Ironman” is just hanging out. Yep, that’s right. I am seriously considering Ironman. However, I have been almost exclusively a runner all summer. My relationship with running has solidified, but my identity as a triathlete has suffered. I had planned to race at least 5 triathlons this season, but with a measly two under my belt, I am in no shape to embark upon another race.
What to do?
Part of me thinks I could dive into training immediately and maybe be ready for the International in September. I could almost certainly start training and compete in another sprint by the end of the season.
On the other hand, I could reintegrate swimming and biking as valuable marathon cross-training and give this marathon season everything I have, without shifting focus to triathlon races in the meantime.
I know that my identity as an athlete has evolved over several years. The past two seasons have been primarily focused on running, but at the same time I embarked on my longest triathlon, which was my gateway into the world of fitness. I hate to see that focus shifting away, but maybe in the short-term it will allow me to approach Ironman training with a renewed fervor. It feels like a loss, but I also lack the motivation for triathlon that I had earlier in the year.
What do you think? Should I pick triathlon training back up and try to compete through the end of the season, or should I focus on marathon training and reacquaint myself with triathlon next year?
I’ve struggled with this too – especially my first year, where I did 3 tris and finished the season with my first marathon. I think I agree with your idea to focus on your marathon now, and continue to swim/bike/spin/yoga as cross-training (side note: I’m going to ride Booty tomorrow am if you want to join me!)
You can continue to call yourself both a runner and triathlete the entire year, even if your main focus might see-saw between the two. If you run, you’re a runner. If you tri, you’re a triathlete. The only place you have to pick just one label is on dailymile
It’s always tough balancing different interests. I’ve significantly reduced my trail running this year, am I still a trail runner? I think that you just need to sit back and evaluate what goal you really want to focus on next. I’m sure you could get those 3 tri’s if you wanted to, but would your marathon time suffer? Or focus on the marathon and use cycling and swimming for cross-training.
Being a coach reduces my ability to train on my own, which I don’t mind, as I don’t have any set race goals in the future. It’ll be tough when I try to qualify for Boston next year, that’s for sure.
At the end of the day, you’re what your blog title says, an athlete. No matter your current event, you’re out there training and sacrificing and sweating towards your goals, and that’s just plain awesome.
Thank you for your eloquent response! You’re right. The 4:00 marathon is my real goal right now, so I am going to do what I need to do to make that happen. You’re pretty awesome, too!