I’m two days overdue to submit
my athlete diary. This is partly because I don’t really feel
like an athlete, so putting a diary onto a website while masquerading
as an athlete is a bit embarrassing. It’s almost 9pm and I’m
still at the office, another potential evening of training gone, unless
I pull another 11:00 gym night. But I’m a bit sick – nagging sore
throat and other symptoms – so I should rest. The only issue
is that I’ve been ‘resting’ for three weeks – haven’t xc skied
since the last weekend in January, haven’t done an intensity workout
since the Duntroon races (over a month ago). And the other exercise
has been short runs and gym sessions focusing on maintaining the health
of my back.
But I shouldn’t complain
that much. I did have a free weekend last weekend, but I spent both
days telemark skiing at Whistler with a friend from back East who came
out to downhill ski. I couldn’t very well ditch him to go x-c
skiing!! Plus, despite the avalanche danger, the backcountry has
been pretty decent this year, the few times I’ve managed to get out.
Point is, I’m in sorry shape.
But I’ve just registered for two races this weekend – a sprint relay
on Saturday and a 10k classic on Sunday at some Coast Cup races in Callaghan
Valley. I’m already dreading how much these are going to hurt
given the non-existent preparation I’ve done.
How did I get to this point?
Well, it started with committing fully to my current job. By fully,
I mean that I moved out to Vancouver to do it, and am getting paid to
get a certain amount of work done by a set time. This particular timeline
can’t slip – and so, I need to work to get the job done. But
that’s not all. Other stuff has been very distracting.
I’ve kinda lost the ‘fire’ this year – that commitment to pushing
myself out training when it sucks. I’ve put more emphasis on resting
this year – partly because this job is tiring. It’s funny
though, because I’m still totally pumped to be in the best shape possible
– it’s just that work is superceding that commitment, to the point
where I’m not even able to exercise some days. But I’m still
dreaming of long days on the bike and on the running trails this spring
– by which I mean, those mythical months up ahead when I will have
more time. But I’ll probably get there and be just as busy as
I am now, which will mean the same level of activity.
I’ll do a couple of races
at Nationals, but mostly to get up there and see people – it’s close,
so it’s easy to do this year. As for next year – I think this
might be the end of the line. The backcountry out here is pretty
much too good… I miss racing though. I miss being that fit.
So who knows what I’ll do. I think this is the transition from
being a semi-serious ski racer who can still be on the same start line
as some decent racers, to being a weekend warrior racer without a hope.
Do I want to be that guy? I don’t know.
Wish me luck this weekend!!
"Get Powered by Fresh Air"