Flexibility and discipline.

To effectively train for an endurance event while balancing all the other priorities in our lives, both of these elements are critical. During the past week, many of you have asked me how to better balance training, family and life. How do we fit it all in?

My fifth week of half Ironman training for the Beach2Battleship Half Ironman shined a spotlight on the fact that we can do it all (or close to everything) while still adhering to our training schedules … if we’re willing to be flexible and disciplined at the same time. It comes down to what we’re willing to do. Are you willing to get up at 4:30 a.m.? Are you willing to do 3 workouts in a day? Are you willing to ride or run indoors after dinner or the kids go to bed if you have to?

It’s not easy. Not by a long shot. But it can be done. Look at your workout schedule holistically at the beginning of each week and overlay it with your work schedule, personal commitments, family time and social activities to better slot your workouts in around your life priorities – so that neither take the back seat. Although the workouts prescribed for me for week #5 weren’t laid out exactly as I did them in terms of order or day, they got done.

My best friend came in town for the weekend, which meant no time for my long ride and run last week. Instead of skipping them, I remained flexible to enjoy my time with her while not neglecting my plan. I shifted my long workouts to Thursday and Friday and moved my rest day to Saturday. Was it easy to get a 2-hour ride in 30 minutes away from my house on Friday morning before work? No. Did I do it. Yes? Was I happier afterward? YES! It’s about flexibility and discipline, but it must also include fun. If your life becomes consumed just by training, you won’t be able to enjoy the journey you’re on (and your family and friends certainly won’t either). Flexibility, discipline, fun, repeat.

Here is what the week looked like.

Monday
Swam 1,825 meters:
300-meter warm up
8 x 25-meter drills with 10 seconds rest between each
600 at moderate intensity
9 x 25 meters at max speed with 20 seconds rest between each
8 x 25-meter kick only with 15 seconds rest between each
300-meter cool down

Tuesday
65-minute bike on the trainer with 8 x 1-minute hill climbs in a high gear at max speed intensity with a 2-minute active recovery between each (15 miles)

Wednesday
40-minute fartlek run with 8 x 30-second sprints at 6:19 pace during the middle portion of the run (4.72 miles) [For those of you who aren’t familiar with fartlek runs, check out this post I wrote last year about speed training.]

I took my new shoes for a test drive during Wednesday’s run. My friends at Brooks Running sent me a new pair of the Pure Cadence (my favorite shoe) in one of the newly released summer colors. I can’t get enough of this teal (with lime accents)!

As always, the fit was perfect and hugs the foot. These shoes have just the right amount of cushioning to ensure both comfort and performance. And they just look cool. So much so that I also wore them to work on Wednesday with my dress pants (hoping no one would notice). My boss did. Oops! *smile*

Thursday
Morning: 7.35-mile run at the river with my friend Tammy

Evening: Strength training
Thursday’s workout consisted of running 2.1 miles through my local park, stopping 4 times to do various strength stations that included shoulder press, bicep curls, squats, push-ups, dips and more.

Friday
Biked 2 hours and 2 minutes outside (32.28 miles)

Strength training: Followed my bike ride up with an hour of strength training focused on pull-ups (did 50 assisted) and kettle bell swings.

Saturday
REST

Even though today was a rest day, my friend Melanie and I went on a 2-mile hike. The weather was cool and breezy for a change!

Afterward, we spent the day shopping, eating and getting pampered. Did 2 women really need all this for lunch?!? Why yes, yes we did!

Sunday
Morning: Swam 1,900 meters
1,800-meter easy continuous swim
200-meter cool down

After my swim, Melanie and I went to our local farmer’s market and then to a scrumptious brunch. I finished the rest of my workouts after she left to fly home.

Late Afternoon: Brick: Biked 1 hour on a spin bike (about 17 miles) followed by a 20-minute run on the treadmill (2.36 miles)
Although I try to get as much of my training done outdoors as possible, I do quite a few of my workouts indoors. I was glad to find this post by Equinox on their Q Blog this week about the 9 reasons to take your triathlon training indoors.

Week #5 mileage total: 86 miles, 11 workouts, 7 hours and 14 minutes

• Swim: 2.31 miles (missed 1 swim)
• Bike: 64.28 miles (missed 1 bike)
• Run: 16.53 miles (+ hiked 2 miles)
• Strength training (2 hours)

To read more about my training plan, click here.

Did you miss week’s 1-4? Catch up: Week #4, Week #3, Week #2, Week #1

What strategies do you use to better balance your life and personal commitments with your training? What sacrifices do you make to fit in your scheduled training?