Another Wednesday, another Wednesday Word! We will be linking up with Deb Runs for the fun and you can be part of the action, by checking out her page and linking up, too!
The word of the week is…
The nice thing about these Wednesday Words is that they really require me to do some soul-searching.
I do have some dilemmas going on right now. I don’t know that the alternatives to any of them are undesirable, but my choices are perplexing and I’m not always sure of the appropriate solutions.
What’s been on my mind?
Should I train and register for a triathlon. Do I, or don’t I? I just don’t know. I’m incredibly intrigued by the idea, but at the same time, it’s just so far out of my element and my comfort zone. Would it be the craziest idea or would it be the natural progression of my training? Do I really want to invest? Triathlons are ridiculously expensive in terms of tools and fees and hours. Since my injury, I have done my best to make the most of my free hours (I work part time and little man is in school) so that I’m not taking away from the family. Would taking on a triathlon be pushing too hard? It’s kind of becoming a bucket list sort of thing, but I’m not sure if the cost outweighs the benefits.
How should I approach my new running strategy? Since I restarted running (from scratch) about three weeks ago, I have been pretty diligent about sticking to the Couch to 5K plan. This is different from my former method of using the Galloway Run Walk Run method, in that, well, instead of Run Walk Run, I’m doing Run Run Run. It’s been going ok. Obviously, starting over is never simple, but I think I’ve been falling comfortably into it. I am wondering if, after the program is completed, I should go ahead and see where continuous running takes me, or if I should go back to what I know and resume with the intervals. I want to be smart and be able to build back up to my half marathon distances, but I am also wondering if I shouldn’t see where the new training goes.
And that’s where I’m at. I have some things to figure out in the upcoming weeks, but I guess that’s all part of the ongoing journey. I am confident that I’ll find solutions to everything, but these are the things that are swirling around in my head for the time being.
What dilemmas do you face with your fitness goals?
I’ve been toying with the idea of a tri. I can do all three separately but the cost is quite high!
carmy recently posted…5 Tips For a Better Performance
They are really expensive. Not just for the races, but for all the gear. And there are so many rules. I don’t know. I guess we shall see.
Triathlon races are so much fun and because you have to train for all 3 sports, you actually end up running a little less. Hope you give it a tri
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Tour De Cookie-Yes please!
Tee hee! I see what you did there!
It’s a great way to stay focused on effective cross-training, but I just don’t know if I can do it. I mean, I guess I can do it, but I want to be able to do it without totally spazzing out on the bike and swim.
I’m so intimidated by tris, so I’m impressed you’re even considering it!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Honor Your Days With Reebok + a GIVEAWAY!
I am too! Which is why I keep dithering about it LOL. I need to get more decisive.
Tough decisions. I used to swear by the galloway run-walk method but then I progressed to heart rate training which had me slowing down. Overall, I got a lot faster. But do what feels right for you.
I am very comfortable in the Galloway method. And maybe that’s ok, and maybe it’s not. I have thought about HR training, but it’s just one more new thing to add into the mix, and I feel like I’ve had so much upheaval lately. It is something to keep in mind, though.
Intervals just don’t work for me – I prefer to get in a groove and stay there – but they do work for others. Why not see how far continuous running gets you? You can always change your mind!
Coco recently posted…Fitting It All In
I do wish it was easier to for me to get into a groove. Unfortunately, I struggle with breathing due to the shape of my throat, and it makes it hard to run hard for a long period of time. Meh. You’re right. I can always change my mind.
I think you should go for the tris – they’re so much fun! And the gear is only expensive if you decide to buy it all. My first tri I did in a regular swimsuit (no wetsuit) and borrowed a friends mountain bike. Of course now I’ve got a better bike and a wetsuit, but I didn’t buy any of that until after I knew I liked doing them.
Yep, no tris for me! Not only are they expensive, I don’t like to swim. Now if they had a pool running tri or a kayaking tri, well, I’d reconsider!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…It’s a Dilemma: What’s a runner to do after she finishes a goal race?
You would OWN the pool running tri!
I would love to do a triathlon. But a) I don’t have a bike and b) I don’t have a pool or place to swim. So that is more of an issue than a dilemma.
With regards to the run/walk, why not try to keep running and see how far it takes you? There may come a point where you are like, ok, I want to walk, or your body tells you.
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Post Run or Workout Gym Bag Essentials – Coaches Corner
I have done one duathlon (LOVED IT!), but no tri’s as of yet. I’m NOT a fan of the water, so I’d have a lot of work ahead of me. I have a mountain bike (but not a road bike)…so there’s that expense. And the time commitment…well, I love running more than any other sport, so I would have a hard time running less. That said, I do want to do a tri someday…bucket list thing 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Got any Dilemmas?
With my severe arthritis developing in my knee , my othopedic surgeon recommended me doing tris and after talking to a few freinds got totally sucked in and registered for one in September. ….I am freaking out about it daily as the pre training starts at the end of this month…eeek. but I am still excited about trying it (no pun intended). The cost factor is REAL!!
I have heard great things about couch to 5k- I saw follow the plan and do the best you can.
Ooh you’ve got some tough dilemmas! I’ve never run a triathlon and look at it more as a bucket list item for me, farther down the road! As for your running strategy, it sounds like your new plan is going well, so maybe continue with it and see how it goes? Then you can reassess after a few more weeks?
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…5 Silliest Myths About Mud Runs + Discount to Muckfest MS
I recently had the debate with myself after running a handful of half marathons if I should up the ante and go after my first full marathon. After much debate, I decided that now isn’t the time with a baby at home, and that I’ll know later on when it is the right time to train for and run my first full marathon.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2016 Jaguar 5k Recap
You do have a dilemma, I think starting over from scratch is a big deal. Maybe continue with the continuous running until you feel you need to walk. You may be surprised at how far you get over a few weeks time.
I did not use the run/walk method until I was training for my marathon. I knew I could run a half continuous. In fact it wasn’t until 16 or so miles I felt like I needed that break.
Tricia @MissSippiPiddlin recently posted…Race 13.1 Memphis Recap
You are very brave to consider a tri – me never.
Congrats on your new start to running, I hope it works out for you.
I do an official run/walk – walk when I have tired (which is about every 1 or 2 miles)
However, if I ever run a marathon, I definitely would use the run/walk method.
I’ve trained runners using the Couchto5k and it has worked great.
Darlene recently posted…GOTR & Mother’s Day 5k bRUNch Race Recap & TOLT
I say go for it! I’ve done 3 tris now, two olympic and one half ironman and I am hooked!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Friday Five: Changing Gears
I am looking at the littler distances. It seems more manageable. I think a half IM would be way out of range. Way. Out of range.
Oh wow, I’m impressed that you’re even considering a tri. I am far too intimidated by them to even try! Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Thanks, Jenn, for linking up!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Ragnar Trail Richmond Ultra Recap, Part 3
Don’t be fooled! I am intimidated as anything! It’s scary! But, I have a great support network, and so I’m just dealing with it. 🙂
A tri sounds intriguing. I sometimes consider one, but I am a terrible swimmer so that usually stops me from seriously considering it.
I weaned myself off of scheduled intervals last month. I now just walk through the aid stations (because I can’t drink and run very well). It seems to give me enough of a break physically and mentally to help me finish a race.
Angie recently posted…Stitch Fix
I’m terrible at everything, but what the heck! No guts, no glory!
You aren’t terrible! I think it is great that you are going for it.
Angie recently posted…Playing Catch Up…Again