The Reality of Being a Working Triathlete
At the beginning of May I started my first real office job working for Congressman Jim Baird in the House of Representatives. I work out of our district office in Danville, Indiana, which meant I didn't have to move to D.C., but the change has still been challenging.
Before this, when I worked at the mental hospital, my schedule was much simpler. Three 12 hour shifts per week with four full days to train and take care of things at home. I still work at the mental hospital, but now I only pick up weekend shifts. This puts me at roughly 40 to 52 hours of work each week.
I will say, though, that my job is pretty cool and incredibly insightful. Our office provides nonpartisan assistance to constituents throughout Indiana's 4th District. That means fielding opinions and concerns while also helping people navigate issues with government agencies such as the IRS, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Postal Service, the VA, and many others. In many cases, we're able to help cut through government bureaucracy and get people the assistance they need in a more timely manner. It feels actionable, and it genuinely feels like I'm making a difference in my community.
One thing this job has taught me is just how inaccurate opinions can be when they're not backed by good information. Since taking this position, I've encouraged my friends and family to be more intentional about how they form their opinions. That means not just reading a headline, but taking the time to understand the issue, verify the claims being made, and look at both sides of the political aisle. It also means being willing to admit when you're wrong when the facts point you in a different direction.
I'd be lying if I said this hasn't impacted my triathlon training. It's forced me to wake up earlier, train while tired, and restructure my entire life around a 9 to 5 schedule. My weekly mileage has dropped, which is tough to see, but I still feel like my training has been productive. I'm currently cycling around 100 miles per week and running roughly 20 to 25 miles per week, which is no small feat in itself. It's just hard when all I've known up to this point is constant improvement with Ironman as the priority instead of work.
I'm grateful to have this perspective, though. It's shown me how challenging it is for people with families and even more demanding jobs than mine. I think that's something I need to remember. I see people on social media constantly improving, training at all hours of the day, and qualifying for major races. If I'm honest, it's been challenging for my mental health. It's important to remember that their situations often look vastly different than mine. Many influencers have made training their full time job. I simply don't have that luxury.
The reality is that I'll likely never be a professional athlete, which means I can't put all my eggs in that basket. Comparison truly is the thief of joy, which is why I'm taking a break from social media. I think it's the best way for me to stay focused, not just on training, but on building a career, investing in relationships, and becoming a better version of myself.
After my abysmal race at Ironman Happy Valley, I neglected to honestly evaluate my situation and how it may have influenced my performance that day. As I've said in previous posts, reflection is a huge part of my life. While planning this post, I wanted to do more than explain what happened. I wanted to understand it and create a plan moving forward. Not having a coach may play into it, but that's also the beauty of it. It's on me.
There's a delicate balance between resting and training hard, and after six weeks of work I think I've found a direction.
My goal is to train every single day for at least one hour. It can be in the morning or the evening, but no matter what, I need to dedicate at least one hour to becoming a better athlete. This creates a realistic foundation for my training. Instead of prioritizing one aspect of life over another, I want to treat them equally. My goal is to become a well rounded person with many different interests that I can excel at. That means making sacrifices.
As rewarding as this job has been, it's also reinforced the importance of having structure in every part of my life. I can't rely on motivation anymore or make up my training as I go. If I want to continue growing as both a public servant and an athlete, I need a plan that fits the life I'm living now.
So, here's the plan moving forward.
Monday: Training week starts
Run 8 to 10 miles at an easy to moderate pace
Work 9 to 5
Prioritize stretching, Normatec boots, and recovery in the evening
Tuesday
Cycle indoors or outdoors for a minimum of 40 miles
Work 9 to 5
Lift and hit the sauna after work
Wednesday
Tempo run in the morning, ideally at the track, for 6 to 9 miles
Work 9 to 5
Easy evening ride on the Madone with some elevation
Thursday
Run 5 miles before work. The goal is simply to get the body moving and run off feel.
Work 9 to 5
Lift and sauna after work
Friday
Sleep in
Work 9 to 5
Ride for at least one hour after work. More if fatigue allows.
Saturday
Long run, minimum 13 miles
Sunday
Long ride, 60 plus miles
This template is much more realistic than making up workouts the day of. It'll give me more structure, enough time to recover, and help me gradually build my mileage. There's roughly five weeks until Ironman Canada, which means training needs to become more intentional. This build hasn't been ideal, but I think this schedule gives me the best chance to arrive at the start line confident, prepared, and ready to give everything I have.
Maybe this season won't produce my fastest performances, but I think it has the potential to produce the most growth. Learning how to chase big goals while building a career is a challenge that won't end after Ironman Canada. If I can figure out that balance now, I'll be setting myself up for far more than one race. I'll be building a life that I can be proud of.
