2013 - we're going back

Bambaata

Ha that was one hell of a week! Glad to see you got something done, the more i read the more i thought that the training was going to be completely knocked on the head but you still managed some bit of work!

tunney

Hi lads,

You've probably expected this but... I'm not going to do Austria this year.

Its been in the back of my mind for the last few weeks and the things stopping me were:
(a) disappointing you two
(b) cancelling the hotel
(c) the fear that if I didn't do it I would never get back into it.

(a) and (b) while regrettable I knew I could deal with. (c) was a real worry - I want to go back to having the discipline and dedication of 2008/2009, albeit tempered by a desire to spend time with kids. I was really afraid that if I didn't do (c) I would end up a fat alco in poor health and a bad role model for the kids. I was really worried as well and was getting more worried as I felt that 2013 was my last chance.

I didn't sleep last night thinking about it and I came to a realisation - a poor race in Austria in 2013 would be worse than no race for my confidence and for me remaining in sport - at any level. Truely think a half hearted, and at this stage it would be, Austria would be devastating to me. Coupled with when I worked our the costs of going - over three grand..... Thats alot of money - a third of a new car!!!!

So I understand that you are both probably annoyed and frustrated with me but I think if you take a minute or two to think about this that its the right decision at this point in time.

regards,
David

tunney

Hotel cancelled. Its the right decision now but I feel like crying.

Oryx

tunney wrote: »

Hotel cancelled. Its the right decision now but I feel like crying.

Just keep knowing its the right decision then, don't second guess yourself, it's done.

I feel for you, but wee kids in the house and all that, it isn't easy.

El Director

Not nice Dave. Worry that keeps you awake at nice is awful. It poisons the mind IMO. The first step is to do what you have done, get it off your chest and out in the open. Talk about it.

You may feel pretty down now but, later you will feel relieved and a weight will have been lifted.

I think you should just take plenty of time out and then when you feel ready....go back to the start. What was your first ever race ? Some local 5k or something? Go and find it and do it again or another similar small event, one that is family friendly, easy going, enjoyable. Find out why you got into this in the first place, why you fell in love with running/biking/swimming. Even if you are unfit as fvck just rock up and do it. Finishing way down the field may motivate you.

Bottom line, right decision and I hope you feel better about it soon.

tunney

Week starting 25th February

Monday 25th

Plans for the week changed completely. Instead of waking up nice and early in a quiet empty house sin Dublin with the kids in Cavan with Glenda and going for a prep work cycle. I wake up with a thumping headache, shouting kids, a dancing Elmo toy and vague recollections of Chicken Balls and curry sauce. Still lots of excitment here with the engagement. Talk of breakfast rolls although no one capable of driving to shops.

In the end I was dispatched to buy the guts (literally and figuratively) of three pigs.

Arrived back in Dublin for a sleepless night. Realised that Austria 2013 just wasn't going to happen.

Tuesday 26th

Woke up, weighed myself, 12st 8. Finally accepted Austria wasn't going to happen. Went downstairs told the wife. "Good call, go back to the little races, duathlons, running races, cross country, enjoy things". Discussed how in 2009 what levels I went to to make the start line in Austria, compared to this year. Until I have that sort of passion back.....

Ran to work then told friends about Austria, cancelled hotel. Feel massively relieved. Now time to draw a line under this adventure. Suppose that means a new blog.............

griffin100

Good call I think. As said above if a hobby is starting to cause you stress then something's wrong and it's time to reassess priorities. I've been doing that since Christmas when I fell ill and even more so over the last week or so .

I wrote this in my log a few weeks ago, might be something to think about:

It's taken a few weeks to come to terms with the fact that it's ok not to be doing an IM this year; that an 8km run at lunch time at a gentle pace along the strand is perfectly acceptable and I don't need to be squeezing 10km+ hilly runs into my lunch break; and that not every swim session has to be a couple of thousand meters.......and if I don't get a run or a swim in today then so what

Can't wait to see the title of the new log

BennyMul

Good call, if ur not enjoying it then there is not point in beating your self up, and the kids are only small once.

tunney

BennyMul wrote: »

Good call, if ur not enjoying it then there is not point in beating your self up, and the kids are only small once.

When Aoibhe was born Eamonn Horgan of LTC rang me. Best advice ever "They are young once, there will always be races"

tunney

I need something though, I need some goal. Some fun but achievable.

sconhome

The decisions we make are always the right decisions at the time. There is no point lookin gback in a couple of months and saying "I should have..."

Tough call, Dave, but the right call.

Now, lets get you out racing in the West

sconhome

tunney wrote: »

I need something though, I need some goal. Some fun but achievable.

Retail therapy

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

tunney wrote: »

I need something though, I need some goal. Some fun but achievable.

Forget about goals/times and just enjoy pressure free fun, race when you want to and for the craic. Swim when you want, cycle when you want and run when you want. 100% right call on binning Austria, no point doing something which is not enjoyable and you are stressing out over it.

Enjoy planning a different family holiday, one that does not involve you plodding around an IM course!!

tunney

El Director

tunney wrote: »

Do it

pgibbo

As the lads have said, right call Dave. Swim, bike and run when you feel like it. A wise man once passed along the same advice that Eammon Horgan gave you so based on that I think your goals should be to enjoy family life and sort out your niggles/injuries before picking some races

tunney

A lad (ex Belpark, in Phoenix with me, part Wicklow as well these days) said to me before Aoibhe was born.

"You never know Dave when the kids arrive you might not want to train, you might want to stay with them"

I laughed.

This morning up early. Aoibhe had no intention of shifting from her bed, pulled duvet over her head when I went in to see did she want to get up (gave her a few more minutes as playschool wasn't until 9am). Then downstairs to tidy up stuff lashed from the car after Cavan. My bike had to go into storage (not that it was used). Himself happy out in his chair until he saw me wheel the bike out the back. Hysterical. Dumped it, back in, cuddles and played and he was fine.

(That being said when 30 minutes later I said "I'm off to work" he just waved and smiled. Monday to Friday Aoibhe and Eoin smile and wave when I go to work but if I break the routine, or if its obvious its not work I am going to, then its a different story)

Lambo doesn't have kids but it was one of the more astute observations.

That being said I *could* have found ways to train. Kids are not the reason for my slide into tubbyville and lazyland. Its all me, I could have trained and been there too. I just wasn't willing to be up at 0430.

One of my best friends lives in Oz, he has a young lad, he trains like a demon. He is up at 0400 and in bed for 1000 - there is always a way, you just need to want it enough. I didn't.

griffin100

tunney wrote: »

I need something though, I need some goal. Some fun but achievable.

How about some messing?

tunney

griffin100 wrote: »

How about some messing?

Adventure racing?

Oryx

tunney wrote: »

Adventure racing?

No, messing. The kind with road bikes and no navigational skills.

Or you could do an actual AR?

Izoard

Meh, since you've started lunchtime running on the northside, the whole thing has gone belly up.

Get your ar$e back across the river and all will be well again.

ray o

tunney wrote: »

One of my best friends lives in Oz, he has a young lad, he trains like a demon. He is up at 0400 and in bed for 1000 - there is always a way, you just need to want it enough. I didn't.

fvck that - If I lived in Oz i'd be out of the scratcher myself before 5am. There is little joy getting up before 6am in this country no matter what time of the year it is.

tunney

Oryx wrote: »

No, messing. The kind with road bikes and no navigational skills.

Or you could do an actual AR?

A WAR style race? Firstly I'm banned from most of these races. Think of me as Harry Potter........ Or Ron the fat kid either one will do.
Secondly - zero interest, I don't view them as proper races.

An actual AR. Dunno, I'd probably get lost and die!

Izoard wrote: »

Meh, since you've started lunchtime running on the northside, the whole thing has gone belly up.

Get your ar$e back across the river and all will be well again.

Not allowed, southside citizenship was revoked.

ray o wrote: »

fvck that - If I lived in Oz i'd be out of the scratcher myself before 5am. There is little joy getting up before 6am in this country no matter what time of the year it is.

QFT

El Director

How about a 3 day stage race with a TT stage like Gorey...alway intrigued me anyway

tunney

El Director wrote: »

How about a 3 day stage race with a TT stage like Gorey...alway intrigued me anyway

3 days away from kids.
Plus no miles in the legs

El Director

tunney wrote: »

3 days away from kids.
Plus no miles in the legs

Gorey is quite close so next year and bring the family down or some other stage race (if you like the idea of it) later this summer, again with the family if it is feasible.

hf4z6sqo7vjngi

Time to bring this thread back to normality.....enter a hot dog eating contest, you will do well.

tunney

Maleah Warm Stinker wrote: »

Time to bring this thread back to normality.....enter a hot dog eating contest, you will do well.

Good luck getting your bike in your bike box.

Oh and I want my change back.

Oryx

tunney wrote: »

Good luck getting your bike in your bike box.

Oh and I want my change back.

Good on ya. A bit of b1tchslapping will keep your fitness up.

BTH

Any one else keeping a close eye on this thread waiting for the fire sale??

Tunney, I have this year and next before herself starts popping out the little gingers, and once that happens I know I'll be easing back on the training as well. Some things are more important than a couple of races. Do whatever makes you happy, and we all know thats going to be complaining and moaning on here. :rolleyes:

tunney

BTH wrote: »

Any one else keeping a close eye on this thread waiting for the fire sale??

Tunney, I have this year and next before herself starts popping out the little gingers, and once that happens I know I'll be easing back on the training as well. Some things are more important than a couple of races. Do whatever makes you happy, and we all know thats going to be complaining and moaning on here. :rolleyes:

When in the consultant gynecologists a few years back when Glenda was pregnant he proceeded to tell us of a series of tests that could be performed in utero to detect abnormalities. After he had finished his bit he asked "Any questions on that?" With a dead serious face I asked "Can you test for red hair?"

griffin100

tunney wrote: »

Adventure racing?

Yeah that's what I meant but if it doesn't float your boat.......MCOS seems to like it though. I thought I might give one a go this year but one that is not on the naughty list

With my limited training my loose plan is to start at 5km and work through 10km and up to half marathon if possible this year with new PB's. Keeps me interested to some degree anyway.

BennyMul

El Director wrote: »

Gorey is quite close so next year and bring the family down or some other stage race (if you like the idea of it) later this summer, again with the family if it is feasible.

Gorey is a great race rode it many times and loved it, a tad dangerous especically on the Saturday but would recomend it to anyone.

Oryx

BennyMul wrote: »

Gorey is a great race rode it many times and loved it, a tad dangerous especically on the Saturday and would recomend it to anyone.

What race is that?

tunney

griffin100 wrote: »

Yeah that's what I meant but if it doesn't float your boat.......MCOS seems to like it though. I thought I might give one a go this year but one that is not on the naughty list

With my limited training my loose plan is to start at 5km and work through 10km and up to half marathon if possible this year with new PB's. Keeps me interested to some degree anyway.

I don't know what I'll do.

I am massively relieved, massively depressed, bitterly disappointed with an unhealthy dose of self-loathing thrown in. Once that settles down then I'll think about it.

Might try this - I already have access to the equipment.

BennyMul

Oryx wrote: »

What race is that?

The gorey 3day is a bike race from Tallagh to Gorey, on the Saturday
2 stages in Gorey on the Sunday and then the Bank holiday Monday back up, I think it finishes outside Blessington now.

Is a really good race but as its earlish in the year there is a lot of nervous folk in the bunch and as most have never ridden in a bunch over 100 (race is usually capped @ 180ish - not sure if this is still the case) and this leads to crashes.
But a great weekend in a saddle, once you stay there


sorry to use your thread Tunney

tunney

BennyMul wrote: »

The gorey 3day is a bike race from Tallagh to Gorey, on the Saturday
2 stages in Gorey on the Sunday and then the Bank holiday Monday back up, I think it finishes outside Blessington now.

Is a really good race but as its earlish in the year there is a lot of nervous folk in the bunch and as most have never ridden in a bunch over 100 (race is usually capped @ 180ish - not sure if this is still the case) and this leads to crashes.
But a great weekend in a saddle, once you stay there


sorry to use your thread Tunney

No worries I'm not really using it

tunney

Week starting 25th February

Monday 25th

Plans for the week changed completely. Instead of waking up nice and early in a quiet empty house sin Dublin with the kids in Cavan with Glenda and going for a prep work cycle. I wake up with a thumping headache, shouting kids, a dancing Elmo toy and vague recollections of Chicken Balls and curry sauce. Still lots of excitment here with the engagement. Talk of breakfast rolls although no one capable of driving to shops.

In the end I was dispatched to buy the guts (literally and figuratively) of three pigs.

Arrived back in Dublin for a sleepless night. Realised that Austria 2013 just wasn't going to happen.

Tuesday 26th

Woke up, weighed myself, 12st 8. Finally accepted Austria wasn't going to happen. Went downstairs told the wife. "Good call, go back to the little races, duathlons, running races, cross country, enjoy things".

Ran to work then told friends about Austria, cancelled hotel. Feel massively relieved. I am massively relieved, massively depressed, bitterly disappointed with an unhealthy dose of self-loathing thrown in.
Breaching 80kg is not good either.

At lunch debated going for a run and then thought feck it.

Run home, had a few glasses of wine, takeaway pizza and talked to the wife about how I was feeling and what not.

Think its time to kill this blog off. Adios.

Oryx

arrivederci bello*

*I prefer to say goodbye in italian than spanish

kennyb3

It's been s'hitty hearing you struggle with yourself for about 2 years now - i'd say finally accepting you're in a different place now and forgetting former glories is a massive weight off your shoulders and a huge relief.

I've been like this for the last year, mainly as i was sick of getting injured. I just train infrequently when I can and want to and don't beat myself up over things.

Just get the diet in check - 5/6 healthy days a week and the weight and self loathing will disappear.

You're a different person now, forget what you use to do and just enjoy getting out when you can. Stop beating yourself up mentally and regretting missing sessions etc. Be thankful of the ones you do actually do. Change of mindset.

Best of luck Dave.

Dory Dory

Aw crap! Just when you were starting to grow on me you decide to close this log.

Seriously....enjoy life. Enjoy your kids. Enjoy your friends and family. I am not sure what age your kids are, but get involved with their activities - maybe even consider being a coach for their athletics that I assume they will get involved in. If you need a break from training/running/cycling/swimming, then take a break. Hell, most of us over the age of 25 have taken extended breaks from time to time and have come back stronger and with more desire than ever. I think what we're all trying to tell you is....you have our permission to back off...it's okay....it's healthy. What is not healthy is forcing yourself to do things you somehow feel obligated to do that ultimately disappoint you. Make yourself happy in whatever it is you choose to do....and keep in mind that you don't have to race to run, swim and/or cycle. You are allowed to do those things for fun and for no other reason. And they might even be a hoot to write about. :)

tunney

Dory Dory wrote: »

Aw crap! Just when you were starting to grow on me you decide to close this log.

Ah shucks.........

Dory Dory wrote: »

Seriously....enjoy life. Enjoy your kids. Enjoy your friends and family. I am not sure what age your kids are, but get involved with their activities - maybe even consider being a coach for their athletics that I assume they will get involved in.

Aoibhe 37 months and Eoin 16 months. No athletics yet, but hurling/camogie coaching and athletics involvement definitely in the future (live 700m from Clonliffe Harriers). Activities today revolve around art and crafts (Aoibhe), destruction, mayhem and chaos (Eoin)

Dory Dory wrote: »

If you need a break from training/running/cycling/swimming, then take a break. Hell, most of us over the age of 25 have taken extended breaks from time to time and have come back stronger and with more desire than ever.

Yip need to get it back. The gra is gone.

Dory Dory wrote: »

I think what we're all trying to tell you is....you have our permission to back off...it's okay....it's healthy. What is not healthy is forcing yourself to do things you somehow feel obligated to do that ultimately disappoint you. Make yourself happy in whatever it is you choose to do....and keep in mind that you don't have to race to run, swim and/or cycle. You are allowed to do those things for fun and for no other reason. And they might even be a hoot to write about. :)

Never know could be a "Running while fat, hungover and proud" training log some day in the future.

elvis jones

tunney wrote: »

When Aoibhe was born Eamonn Horgan of LTC rang me. Best advice ever "They are young once, there will always be races"

I'm starting to see that myself and even with a heavy schedule i find myself getting up after 4 hrs sleep on a Sunday morning just to spend time with my two nutjobs !

Whatever you try to do make sure it makes you smile ( most of the time )

tunney

What I have learn in the last 24 months.

* You don't have to do something because you have always done it
* A stitch in time could save nine - sometimes a year out could save three wasted
* Glenda is usually right
* You are never the same person, who you were is not who you are now and you will never be that person again
* Kids rock
* You can bluff around an IM but its not fun (unless you nail the run)
* There is a time to HTFU and a time to quit
* Some people mean what they say and say what they mean
* Some people talk sh1t
* Garmin's suck
* SRMs rock
* Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels (yes I robbed this from a friend who is a female pro triathlete who lives in the States and had a very famous eating disorder, its still right though)
* Fran's wife is tall
* Do as I say not as I do
* People may be want to want to do the work but less are willing to do the work
* Ironman rocks

Oryx

Things I have learned from tunney in the last 24 months

* His bark is worse than his bite
* Don't talk about it, do it.
* If you can't do it, try again
* If you still can't do it, consult your wife and do what she says, instead.
* Appreciate my kids. Races come and go, kids grow up, fast.
* Sometimes, someone will tell it like it is, even if its hard to hear.
* If in doubt, HTFU.
* Ironman rocks

My jury is still out on the whole Garmin thing.

Dory Dory

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

Stealing this!!

catweazle

Dory Dory wrote: »

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

Stealing this!!

Be careful - thats Kate Moss's trademark line

Dory Dory

catweazle wrote: »

Be careful - thats Kate Moss's trademark line

Hmmm....scary fat chick you posted on my log today or Kate Moss....scary fat chick you posted on my log today or Kate Moss?? Which would you rather be paced by at DCM??

elvis jones

Dory Dory wrote: »

"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels."

Stealing this!!

Easy to say until you've tasted my chilli:cool:

TRR

catweazle wrote: »

Be careful - thats Kate Moss's trademark line

Yes this was originally spouted by anaeroxic supermodels. Still can't understand why you don't concentrate on one discipline and try to maximise your bang for your buck, i.e run. It's not time consuming in the grand scheme of things and it's something you seem to think is your strongest event. I've 2 kids similar age to yourself and with careful planning running takes away absolutely nothing from my family life. Why don't you aim to run a respectable half and full marathon this year?