So how much do you train?

Boy is that a loaded question. I was asked exactly that Friday afternoon. It just so happened that I was getting done with a brutal one hour run that seemed to be entirely against strong winds. So, my answer was, "Too much."

Now, let me answer the question a little better.

Firstly, I really like training. I really like it when my body is in motion. I have been blessed with good health, a body that reacts well to exercise, and the inability to sit still for longer than 22 minutes. Aside: there may be a reason that 30 minute TV shows are actually between 18 and 22 minutes. I often ask myself, especially right after a good training ride, run, or swim, why I bother racing. Do I race because I train? I'm not sure.

Either way, I do some type of "activity" every single day. Mowing the lawn is not an activity it is a chore (which I don't do, but it is an example). Usually, when I am "in training", I schedule 12 workouts for week. I make a plan that starts 21 (we'll get to that number soon) weeks before an "A" race. Four bike rides, four runs, and four swims. I schedule the bike and runs by time and the swims by distance. Those 12 workouts I try to put into 6 days. I almost always guarantee myself a day off every week. For the year so far, (by time spent doing them) the three sports break down as 52% bike, 32% run, and 11% swim.

So, that is what I schedule. I have a great wife, three spectacular kids, two dogs, two jobs, and a partridge in a pear tree (just seeing if you're still reading). In the real world I strive to get 11 of the 12 workouts done. Also, in the real world at least one of the done workouts will get cut short. So be it. I know that I very rarely get all my scheduled workout done. I know it going in and just accept it. Because I accept it, I schedule 21 weeks to get 20 weeks done. I just know I will miss a big portion of a week that will require me to "redo" the week.

In the end, I train as much as my life allows. I try not to make my training, or racing for that matter, completely control my life. Sometimes it does. But, for now my kids and wife just think it is normal for Daddy to get up before the sun rises and tootle around on his bike before breakfast. I long ago realized that I will not be a pro athlete of any type. I do love sport. I do love moving and acting towards a goal. And, I do love the health benefits that come along with activity. If you see me sit still for too long, check my pulse. Please.