It’s that time of the year again. You’ve done the requisite Polar Bear Dip, taken down the tree, and it suddenly sinks in: you’ve signed up for races in 2022 and now it IS 2022 and you’ll have to do them.
I say you. I mean me.
Unless you happen to be in the same boat.
I plan my workouts on giant-sized monthly calendars that I buy from Staples. I have a whole system that includes colour-coding for when I’ve stretched or done a core workout (that way I can see where I’ve been slacking). I note when I’ve foam-rolled and when I’ve done prehab (again, to prevent slacking). I mark days off and down weeks to remind myself to take them. I also note massage appointments to make sure I’m getting there as often as I need to, and at the end of every week I tally up my mileage so I know I’m not increasing anything too quickly.
If a workout has gone particularly poorly, I also note that. Usually there’s a reason for it, but sometimes I have to take two giant steps away from the calendar to see it.
Sounds obsessive? Sure, okay. But it works, and it keeps me honest. I post it on my wall so that I can see my month at a glance and know where things are at.
Other people have different methods. My daughter likes to use a journal. We were wandering through Granville Island during Cheese Week (the week between Christmas and New Year’s; as opposed to Cookie Week, which is the week before Christmas) when we came upon a Disappointment Journal that was totally hilarious. It was not meant to be used for workouts, but she thought of buying it and using it as one because, let’s face it, training often involves one disappointment after the next.
In lieu of her buying the book, I’ve decided to turn my blogs of 2022 into something of a Disappointment Journal (you’re welcome, Madeleine). Don’t get me wrong. I love the sport more than ever, but I never quite measure up to that athlete in my daydreams—you know, the one who’s moving a whole lot faster and more smoothly than I could ever hope to. I’m reminded of that every time I see a video of myself swimming and remember how hard I was working and how fast I felt, versus how slow I look in reality.
Happy New Year to you all. I hope anyone who’s training for a big race this year will join me in this journey.
May we work off all the cheese we ate last week.
Way to go Michelle. What an inspiration you are. I cannot, will not is more honest compete or ever train for a triathalon. However, your exercising tracking system sounds interesting. It may be a tool I could learn to hold me accountable?
Anyway, I would like to hear more about your fitness system you implemented. Could you let me know more?
❤️Cammie
Of course. We should catch up by phone. I’ll message you on Facebook.