I Am So Over 2018

Lack of motivation...

Lost confidence...

Regret...

Injury...

These are the running themes for my 2018 season. The plan this year was to fill my schedule with short distance races and to have lots of fun without the large time commitments for training. The truth is, I just haven't been having much fun at all. It is far too early to write off the entire year as a disappointment but it has proven difficult to refocus myself.

All of these struggles were present before I managed to injure my back a little over a week ago. I'm not even sure what I did to injure my back, but I woke up one morning starting to feel some pain in my lower back and 3 days later I could hardly move at all. With the help of some prescription meds from the doctor and some days of rest (including a week with absolutely NO training) my back is feeling better but is still not 100%.

Last night I tried a short 5 mile bike ride followed by a 1 mile run just to see how my back would handle it. Although my back did feel a little sore during the workout I didn't experience any muscle spasms or shooting pain so I'm considering it a success. It was a little stiff this morning but actually felt pretty good after my swim workout and for the remainder of the day. I am definitely not pain free but would say I am at about 80%.

Next weekend I was suppose to race in 2 triathlons, a sprint distance triathlon in Waterloo on Saturday and another in Des Moines on Sunday. The following Saturday I was scheduled to run a 10K road race for the Des Moines corporate games. I have decided to sit out the Accel triathlon in Waterloo and have changed to the 5k road race the following weekend but am still planning to attempt the 2nd triathlon next weekend.

I guess this post is just my way of venting frustrations. Right now I am feeling so many emotions that I don't know what to do with myself. I just want to go to sleep, wake up without any pain, feeling the confidence that I felt just a few months ago, and get back after it. For now, I'm going to do whatever I can to get on the road to recovery and get back on track for the year.