Eating To Train

The end of February found me "celebrating" a little too much. I just had a birthday and there where a few parties at work during lunch hour....hence a lot of sweets and food....
So what does this have to do with eating to train???

Looking back on the last two weeks for Feb. I see that I was Training To Eat. What that means is I was eating everything and anything...because I deserved it for training "so" hard. I was eating muffins, cakes, cookies, mochas, chips....you name it. All those foods that I normally stay far away from (ok-maybe not tortilla chips as much-they're my fav!). I had this mentality that I could eat whatever I wanted because I was burning so many calories. Especially following my second 25 milers- as I knew my training workload dropped a bit.....

Well, by the end of those two weeks I found myself 4 pounds heavier and going into my Saturday Brick Workout sluggish as all heck. That was the morning of 27 degree bike ride and run.

I was DRAGGING beyond anything I could have imagined! I was riding slowly- but it felt HARD! My heart rate was way up and my perceived effort was high even though I was barely moving 14 MPH..... As I watched the group pull far ahead of me- I reflected on what was going on with me that day...

What became clear to me as I struggled through the ride- was that I had been Training To Eat rather than EATING TO TRAIN!

I could absolutely tell the difference between when I eat healthy so I can fuel my next workout- and when I just eat whatever because I have trained so hard! It's BS to think I can eat whatever- I can't! I'm an athlete and whatever I put into my mouth will affect my next workout or worse yet- workouts!

After that lovely brick workout I got back on the "wagon". I spent some time thinking about the difference between Training to Eat and Eating to Train. It's been a week now- I already feel slimmer; my tummy's not bloated; my energy is better; my training is better; I just feel better overall!

Eating To Train needs to be my lifestyle for the next year. I can't indulge in sweets and over the top foods- I have a goal- and to take my eye off that goal, for even a full day- really affects how I will be able to train!

Not only do I have to complete all the workouts my coach has for me- but I HAVE to EAT TO TRAIN. I know I use the words "have to", but this is really a choice- I choose to train and eat properly....because I love it! And because the only way I will get to the start of IRONMAN is if I am consistent over the next 8 months! Caz- I'm in it for the long haul baby!