Slowly Getting Back to It

This week was a good one for training, rather it was an OK one.  I finally managed to get my bike back on the trainer in my basement since I haven't been able to get out and ride on the weekends (I am lazy).  I managed to put in to sessions this weekend of an hour each.  Also during the week I ran one day and rode another.  Wow, four whole days of exercise in a week, that's crazy!!! 

I have been asking myself recently what the heck happened to me?  I was so determined to maintain my Ironman fitness and build on it.  What happened, why wasn't I able to continue.  There are a few factors that have played into this, some of which I don't feel comfortable getting into, others which are injury related and the remaining are just bad excuses.  I think part of my whole problem is that I am making excuses for not working out rather than trying to find reasons to work out.  Here are my reasons for not training:

• Lack of time - e.g. I leave the house at 6:15AM for work and don't get home until 5:30PM (if I am not traveling for work).  I need to get up super early or stay up and run/ride after the kids go to sleep.  This does not apply to weekends....flat out lazy on my end!
• Health issues - I don't know if it is allergies or I have some illness, but my breathing has been horrible for the past nine months.  Also, every time I run my heart rate goes through the roof.  I should go to the doctor, but I just haven't.
• Motivation - I don't have any races (triathlons, running, biking, etc.) or any other activity to train for.
• Pregnant Wife - Probably not the best excuse, but I have had to step in and try to help out a lot more since my wife got pregnant, which has meant less free time for me (I am not complaining about this).
• No pool/gym membership - I miss swimming...actually I hate swimming, but it helps keep me in shape.
• New-ish job - I have been at my current job for nine months now, but I still haven't gotten into a groove yet.  I need to figure out a schedule and then schedule my days accordingly

Injury/Health Stuff

• Left Quadriceps - feels almost back to normal, but still not 100%.  When I first hurt it in December 2010 I read that it can take six months to a year to heal completely, but I thought it would be much quicker.  I was wrong.
• Lower Back - I am in pain just about ever morning.  I can barely touch my toes anymore without a hot shower and/or a run to loosen it.  I am told that a cortisone shot will help it, but the thought of a needle going near my spine scares the crap out of me.
• Breathing/Heart Rate - it just hasn't been right.  I don't even know where to start, who to talk with.
• Various dings - two big-toe toenails about ready to fall off, elbow pain, wrist hurting, sore shoulder, achy left knee, etc.  These aren't always there, they come and go, but still just bother the heck out of me when they happen.

I think that the past two days of riding in my basement have helped a lot.  I road hard and felt good.  I am going to take a second run at P90X starting tonight and couple that with running and biking over the next few weeks.  This is now my off-season training....I know it is a little early, but I need something.  In the upcoming weeks I am going to try and put together a 2012 race schedule so that I can get a training plan put together as well.

Lastly, I am going to mention that I am officially the heaviest that I have weighed since around 2006/7.  I have maintained my normal diet despite not training at all.  Obviously this is not a good mix.  Also, the last time my wife was pregnant I was up around 220 - 225 lbs.  I guess when my wife gets pregnant, I start putting on pounds along with her.  Ugh, not good!!!

So there it is, wish me luck everyone....it started this past week and I need to keep it going.  Ciao!