A Long Time Coming

I started to write this post two-ish weeks ago (today is actually 4 April) to announce that I MAY need to resume training in mid-April. Just before starting the post, I had made a deal with Sean (Mahoney, my travel-mate) that I would begin training upon returning home if I defaulted into doing just that - returning home. The deal also noted that I neednt begin training if I returned to not-Sterling. Anyways, after missing/declining a few job opportunities, I'll be returning to the United States (and, thus, to Sterling) on Thursday to give running an honest try.

By now, I've been "out of" running for over two years. And, after writing the Legend of the Marathon in early November, throwing-away my trainers in late November, chain-smoking in late December on an especially rowdy night, I am grateful that I can report that I am looking forward to training seriously.

On 1 January - New Years Day - I banned myself from smoking, became determined to exercise each day, and, generally, made an effort to think about the future of my "running career." I successfully stopped smoking, stopped drinking (without realizing/actively trying to do so), hiked over 800K with my pack in tow (teach me how to PFHS 500 mile club, old-man-style), and decided that goal-oriented running was a worthwhile activity. So, training will ensue.

Returning after such a long period of non-training will not be easy. On one hand, getting into one's best shape can be mentally challenging because it requires entering new physical territory. That can be intimidating if one is not properly motivated. On the other hand, returning to fitness can be challenging because the athlete in question is familiar with the sensations and activities required of achieving such fitness, and re-experiencing those things can be less exciting than the first time. The athlete's familiarity with the experience may also render him discouraged by the prospect of re-feeling the same aches and overcoming the same challenges of seasons past. Awareness of these mental pitfalls is vital to improving. Addressing them prior to a training season is important for an athlete who will doubtlessly experience such a variety of mental challenges posed by returning to, and surpassing, former fitness. Hopefully, I will be that sort-of athlete in the coming months (and years).

So, with approximately fifty-five hours until my flight home, in a gaming internet cafe in Auckland (in which I'll be staying all night [gaming, obviously] because it was cheaper [and more entertaining] than a hostel), I'll be refining my goals. I will officially post them next week. The goals will include some goals to be evaluated after one month of training, three months of training, six months of training, and one year of training. Surely, they will need to be adjusted as training progresses, but they will be some things toward which I will be able to direct my training.

Perhaps posters (and readers, if there are any readers) can list some of their goals for their respective upcoming training seasons.

Until next time,

Happy training,

M

P.S. TO ANTHONY & KYLE - UPDATE ME ON YOUR LIVES IN COMMENTS OR VIA EMAIL

P.P.S. TO KYLE - DO YOU WANT TO TURN YOUR ROOM INTO A TRAINING DOJO, FIGHT CLUB-STYLE? IN IT, WE'LL PROPERLY EMBRACE THE BLOG'S THEME.