Less Obsession

You know, I think I am starting to get the hang of this not training full on thing. It has taken me 5 months or so, but I think I am almost able to relax and not be eaten up with guilt when I decide not to train.

This week has been a flat out one at work. Not a hard week, but very busy. The sort of week where you get home each evening and just want to lie down and be very still. In the past, when I was racing and training I would have forced myself to train no matter what. Get out the door and get it done, that was always my motto. I won't lie, it was very tough. Tough on the motivation levels, tough on my family and I suspect tough on my body too.

While I have stopped racing, I have been finding it hard to shake that inbuilt need to train. After forcing myself to get out the door and get it done for so long, it has been a hard compulsion to shake. That feeling of guilt that comes with missing a session.

However, with distance I am finding it easier to switch off that need to train. This week is a prime example. I could have forced myself to train after work this week. But the reality is that most days this week I have done over an hour of exercise in the mornings. I have to ask myself just how much more exercise I need to do in a day for my purposes. Don't get me wrong, I would like to do more, but if I don't, what are the consequences? It isn't going to hamper my performance in an upcoming race, simply because there isn't one. Not training in the evenings this week has instead given me time to relax a little, help out around the house and get to bed at a reasonable time, this has allowed me to get sufficient rest. For the point of life that I am currently at, time to relax, helping at home and making sure I am getting sufficient rest are probably as equally important as squeezing in a little bit more exercise, possibly more so.

I don't think I am ever going to get to the point where I will be happy to not be exercising, and to be honest I wouldn't want to get to that point. However, for my own benefit and the benefit of those around me, it is probably important that I learn not to be so obsessive about exercise. I think I am finally making some small steps in that direction.