Rethinking Goals

With the decision to put off the Ultra attempt indefinitely, I need to rethink my goals for this and next season. It's a bit tricky to consider what we'll all be able to do, since we have no idea when this pandemic crisis will be anywhere near over. I'm going to assume that this year is basically a wash. I'm also going to assume that I will not want to participate in any air travel until a vaccine is available. My last assumption is that I will be unable to train at the ninja gym for a long period of time, and for a similar length of time I will be caring for my 5-year-old during the day and not have as much time in general to exercise.

That said, there is stuff to look forward to.

1) Virtual Spartan Races

I've been participating in these for the last two weekends, doing backyard obstacles instead of the listed calisthenics. My times have been decent, but the running has caused some backsliding with my foot sprain pain, so I might need to switch to walking again.

2) At-home obstacle training

My husband made me monkey bars last summer, and I've long wanted to add some attachments to them to create my own multi-rig. Finally got around to that a couple of weeks ago and now have two rings, two balls, and a bar (like in the Spartan Super/Beast rigs). Having these different holds and practicing on them will surely help me. Also I would like to get better at doing monkey bars while they're wet or sweaty, and having my own personal set that I can violate with a hose is definitely useful. I also have a spear, and since I absolutely need to get better at that obstacle, it's great that I'll be able to practice.

3) Burpee training

Burpees take a lot out of me, as they do everyone. Fortunately these are a very easy exercise to do in your living room. (Well, not "easy to do," but you know.) Getting better at burpees is an essential Spartan skill.

4) Weight loss

Losing weight is simple to do in quarantine. Eat smaller portions, eat healthier (since you're cooking everything), drink lots of water. It's pretty straightforward. I've been dropping about a pound a week, which will surely help my racing when the time comes.

5) Gratitude

When this is over, I will be so much more grateful. For the gym. For not having to avoid humans on the trails and sidewalks. For being able to travel and race. We can all make gratitude a goal.

This Is Spartan Ultra Episode 16 (SEASON FINALE)

After much reflection, I have come to a realization: I no longer care about my goal of completing the Spartan Ultra this year. No, I am not clinically depressed (I don't think?), and I am not abandoning this goal forever. I just have realized slowly over the last couple weeks that, as the world is kind of burning to the ground, I don't have the physical or mental resources available to give the Ultra the amount of attention it demands of a person. It's been so tough for all of us lately with the uncertainty of not knowing when life will get back to normal, or IF it will. I just don't have it in me at this time to go for the Ultra. I probably will in the future, because it's so big and so awesome and I know it'll eat away at me someday if I don't do it. But for now, I'm letting go of that goal and focusing on 1) racing at all ever again! and 2) doing virtual races in the meantime to keep myself busy and give me smaller achievements to focus on. I will continue making a vlog on occasion but it won't be Ultra-centric until I pick that back up. Someday!