The Road To Healthy Training Is Paved With Consistency

There’s only one word that will get me in the shape I want to be in for racing in triathlons and running half marathons.

Consistency

Since moving to Colorado in June of 2011, I think I’ve transitioned pretty well back into what normal life looks like for me. I get asked all the time by my friends from Colorado and from Nashville… “Do you miss being in Franklin and Nashville?”

My answer is always mixed. There are some things I don’t miss… like the heat in the summer or walking into a starbucks filled with hipsters trying to look impressive. But there are other things I miss a lot. My friends are the biggest part of what I miss about living in Franklin. I miss being able to walk down main street whenever I want… but here’s one of the bigger parts I miss.

My consistent training schedule I had for triathlons and the community of triathletes to train with.

As a single guy living in Franklin, it was pretty easy to set a consistent schedule of training through out the week. Even when I traveled as much as I did, it wasn’t too difficult.

But now… life is different. I have an amazing family I love spending time with and it’s worth it to make them the priority in my life. Of course right? That’s the way family is supposed to be.

What my wife and I have noticed though is how difficult it has become to take care of our own bodies in the process. Getting the rest we need and getting into to our running shoes with our schedules has been tough lately.

We both firmly believe that in order to fully engage with our family, we need to make time to take care of our own health. I’ve mentioned this before in posts, but over the past couple of weeks, I’m seeing some things in me that I really have to get a grasp of.

So, I’m going back to a more structured schedule that won’t interfere much with family time and work time. It will be consistent and it will having me working a bit harder on my schedule…. But it can be done.

You see, right now I weigh 215lbs. I’m at the exact same weight now as I was when I did my first Ironman. The difference is during Ironman, I was a leaner 215lbs… more muscle less fat. Today… I can feel I have less muscle and a little more fat.

It feels like I have a couple of layers on like I’m bundling up for the winter and my goal is to be just below 200lbs by the end of June. I need to shed those winter layers…

It’s frustrating… especially for a guy who likes to be active and ready to go. I’m running faster than I ever have but I’ve taken time off from the pool to let me shoulder heal. Plus, you would think there would be a tight community of triathletes in Colorado Springs who train together, but I haven’t found them yet. I have a couple of triathlete friends, but not like the community in Nashville.

As I think about it all, I’ve stopped looking for the right plan or a quicker fix or a large community, because I know… at least for me… it comes down to following a consistent schedule I can manage on my own.

So in the season of my life, I’m trying to figure out… How do you stay consistent in your training when there is a family involved?

And that’s my question to those of you who workout and have families… especially those of you who are putting in long hours and long miles of training. How do you do it?

This inquiring mind wants to know…

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Categories: LIFESTYLE, Triathlon
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  • ‘becca

    I am very lucky that my schedule as a wife & momma allows me to train when my boys are in school, husband is at the office & inbetween the hours of volunteer work I do. I do realize this is a unique situation & one I am thankful for & do not take for granted.

    I am also fortunate to live in a little corner of Arkansas were triathlon is booming & our local tri club is supportive, adding new members almost weekly. We have a number of coaches & even have a kids team…it’s a family affair!

    I have found that training with a coach & using training peaks as been key to consistency. Knowing I have hours to log & someone who will make sure I did it, makes it harder to skip or stop a workout early.

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      That’s good becca. I had a coach in TN and a strong community there too. I’m thinking about jumping into training peaks to help give me a schedule. Since I work from hom i can take some time to get in some training early in the day. I think it’s going to come down to me getting back on a rigid schedule that doesn’t mess with family time… too much:) 

      thanks for your comment my friend… you are always fun to follow and interact with online!

  • Leslie

    I desperately need a training group in Franklin now. My running group moved to Nashville and it’s hard to get together. Who/where do you recommend?

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      I think there is a monday night running group that leaves from tin roof in cool springs? you should go to fleet feet and ask them about running groups. 

  • Tory

    As a wife of a half IM triathlete (70.3), I don’t know how my husband would be able to get the training in for a full IM at the level of excellence he’d want to compete in and still spend quality time with the family. (7, 8, 12 year old) Especially where we live where 60+ hour work weeks are the norm, especially in high-tech. 

    So, for the time being, all he can manage is training for a half IM and even then, this year (he has a different job title in the company that is more demanding) he hasn’t been able to dedicate the time he feels he really needs to compete at a level that he feels capable of. Our first tri is the first weekend of May, so pray for us. (and yes, I said “us”…. I’m signed up for the Oly which I’m sure I can’t do (it’s a tough course!) and my kids are doing the mtn. bike sprint course.) 

    If you figure out a great schedule, please share!  But for now, until the kids are a bit older, David has settled for keeping in shape and doing the best he can in the time he has. It’s all about balance. 

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      tory!!! ha!!! well when.. and if i figure it out… i will let you know:) are you doing wildflower? I was going to try to come hang at that one with Dan but we have birthdays that weekend:) I always love your comments. thanks. i think all i can handle is training for 70.3 as well right now.

  • Chris Leverett

    Great topic Spence! I have 2 answers for differnt types of goals. I understand this challenge as I have 3 kiddos (10, 6 & 4). First, I am training for my first full Ironman and it would not be possible if I did not have the full support of my incredibly patient wife. I am training to finish, so my workouts during the week do not differ that much from a 70.3, usually just one hour or so unless I skip a workout and need to add in a brick. I usually get these in right after work or after the kids go to bed. Sometimes, I’ll take the kids to our Lifetime Fitness which they love. Sometimes, I’ll do a run at 7:30, put the kids to bed and finish a core workout after bedtime. Sometimes I get them in early, but I take the kids to school & do not like to feel rushed, so evenings work better. I actually love getting a swim in around 9:00pm. My wife enjoys the house to heself and we usually hang out and watch a show together when I get home.

    The weekeds during peak training have been intense and require much time away from familiy. My spouse understands that this is a “bucket list” goal, so she is ok with me being gone for an entire Saturday or Sunday. Coaching my son’s B-Ball presented a tough challenge. I would get a workout before a game and finish up Saturday evening.

    To answer just staying consistent and fit when not training for a big race, it just comes down to cooperation between spouses. For us, we are bith active and value fitness. We also manage our diet more cloesely as it’s often not realistic to get a workout in every day.  So, we typically plan our workouts the night before as our schedule can get hectic and we try to remian as flexible as possible. Being a member of a good gym like Lifetime Fitness also allows us to go together with the entire family.

    In addition, I typically take the oldest to practice in the evening during sports. I will often suit up in running gear & get a great workout while he’s at proactice. The other parents are usually just sitting there looking at their iPhones anyway!

    My wife played soccer for many years but is recovering from her 2nd injury. Again, it just takes cooperation as I supported her and would take care of all kid duties while she’s at practice or a game. The one on one time with the kids is invaluable.

    I was not blessed with the discioline to get up at 4:30am wich would be ideal but I like hanging with the wife at night. So, with our family, it simply comes down to flecibility, support and staying positive when a workout is not possible.

    Chris Leverett

    • http://www.spencesmith.com Spence Smith

      Wow chris… one hour of training during your week day training? amazing… but i’m sure much more efficient at times.

      I know the longer weekends of training are tough on time… but they are a must.

      I think the more i plan and talk to my wife about it all, training really does become a team sport of two… (husband and wife) with the kids as active spectators:)

      We have a lifetime fitness right by the house and are members there. I like your suggestions… a lot.

      I’ll call you soon too! i’d love to hear how it’s all going!

      thanks for the comment Chris!

      • Chris Leverett

        Forgive me Spence…Didn’t mean to confuse.  I workout 5-6 days a week! During the week, my workouts are typically not more than an hour to hour & 1/2 in duration.