Saturday, November 19, 2011

The art of doing nothing.

Somewhere, sometime I read that the only thing harder than training for a marathon is not training for a marathon. Since my ironman two weeks ago. I have done no training. Zero. Nada. Zip.

Some of this has been due to the condition of my feet. They are healing quickly and don't really bother me so much any more. I went to the "feets" doctor earlier this week and he pronounced my left foot OK to the point where I could start doing stuff without limitation. Unfortunately I have two feet and he recommended that I take another week off to let my right foot heal a bit more. The healing is well ahead of schedule.

My brain, limited as it is, really doesn't understand this and feels that I should be training. I'm thinking that going for a swim wouldn't suck. I dusted off my mountain bike with the expectation of hitting the trails a little soon. I even felt that I should go for a run (gasp) the other night. I hate running.

The lack of training has giving me a lot of time. Time is typically my most precious commodity and I am not used to having free time. I've filled that time mostly with crappy eating (which I excel at) but I realized that is coming to an end when I almost wanted a salad for lunch instead of the buffalo chicken pizza. I got the pizza.

This morning I was taking my younger daughter to her orchestra rehearsal (she was selected for a Long Island wide school orchestra). She commented that I seem to be very energetic these days. I commented that this was probably because I haven't been working out so I'm not as tired. Don't ya think, don't ya think, don't ya think? My daughter, who is not a morning person, said that maybe I should start training again to resist the dark side of being annoying. Not that I was actually annoying but she, as a public service announcement, was advising me on the trend she saw.

Wonder what she meant? Time for a nap.




11 comments:

TriMOEngr said...

Enjoy the down time. Looking forward to hearing about your plans for the off-season and for 2012.

Ewa said...

I can't possibly guess what your daughter meant. I mean really!
Now can't you just take one foot for a run? OK, not funny.
Have another pizza. Again not funny.
Enjoy your rest then.

Caroline said...

she probalby did not mean time for a nap!!!! but enjoy your rest
me I feel more tired when I rest too much...

KC (my 140 point 6 mile journey) said...

Glad to hear the feets are almost healed. Sounds like the activities you didn't have time for before, like hitting the trails on the mtn bike, are in order once the right foot is good to go. I would be a complete A-hole if I hadn't been able to do anything for 2 weeks. Probably divorced by now too.

Patty said...

Aqua jog time? It’ll keep those legs moving, without the foot pain. I bet if you aren’t motivated right now, aqua jogging will get you pumped up (total sarcasm). After Branson, I went in a funk without training. It made me get even more frustrated and down. Do whatever you can to hit up that pool and keep moving, but have fun with it. :)

Unknown said...

Seems to me it's good to occasionally be away from something long enough to miss it. Glad the foot is getting better.

You easily get a month after an ironman that you can order pizza instead of salad!

Unknown said...

The down time will be good for you. Of course, I hope the feet heal sooner than later, but when you come back, you'll be ready! :)

Shelly said...

So glad you are healing..... enjoy your time-off! It is well deserved.

Carolina John said...

I too have been visiting the dark side of the buffet. Started to crave salads again from my favorite wing place. I did order pizza hut twice this weekend. And I have put on 8 lbs since IMFL. So I'd call that a win.

But indeed I am totally ready to start running hard again and get back in the pool.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

ENjoy the down time, you earned it

Big Clyde said...

"left foot - okay. Right foot - rest it". I envision you walking in circles.

BDD is right. You've earned the rest!

Thanks for your wisdom on my post. You are absolutely right. Thanks.