Where has JV been?

Just wanted to check in to give an update as to where I have been and what I have been up to. If you have not figured it out already, I have pretty much given up on the boring daily blog updates, as I am probably at least as sick of writing the same routine stuff, day in and day out, as you were sick of reading it. Not to mention, I need to budget my time more efficiently to maximize my time with family and to get outside as much as possible now that the days are getting longer (would much rather be out living life than writing about it). I’ll continue to post here occasionally if anything particularly interesting comes up, or as time permits.

Everything is going well from a “training” standpoint and I have been getting in a few laps on local peaks each week, along with the usual baby jogger runs and even a few bike rides. I feel like I have built a solid base over the Winter and now within the past few weeks I have been slowly increasing the intensity here and there, which has felt great. Now I just need to be more diligent about maximizing my hard runs and keeping my easy days truly easy.

I confess that I have had a bit of a problem with this in the past, as I am usually trying to fit as much as I can into a short period of time, love to push myself hard, have a tendency to be competitive with others I see doing the same activity, have pent up energy to burn after sitting in an office all day and often times am just overly exuberant about engaging in the activities that I love.

I have also found it especially difficult in the past 19 months (since I became a father of twins) to plan on specific runs with any true reliability. I have always preferred to take each day as it comes and never really thrived on a specific training plan or schedule (I just mentally do better with a less structured approach), but especially since having kids, I never really know if I should hold back today and save it for tomorrow, or give it all I have today, since I don’t know for sure if I will be able to get out for what I want (or need) tomorrow, or the next day, or for several more days. It is always a roll of the dice so to speak.

Recovery is also another challenge.  Pre kids, I could simply come home from a long/hard run and focus on eating and resting, but now as soon as I walk in the door, I am full on in high demand dealing with toddlers and catching up on household duties.  It is often hours before I can get some food in me and sit down.  I could (should) plan better to at least have some sort of recovery drink/food in the car to help ease this issue though.

These are challenges that are typical of being a parent, so I am sure those reading with kids can relate, especially those out there with twins (and I am of course open to any tips/suggestions).

Either way, I am trying my best to make the most of the unpredictability and adapt as necessary. I plan to run the Bolder Boulder for kicks on Monday, May 28th (work is paying for it again, so what the heck) and am also really looking forward to the Mt. Evans Ascent on June 16th and then my goal race of the year, the Pikes Peak Marathon on August 19th.