Question of the day: will it come back???

So I am sure I am not the only one in this boat but a month in the contemplation does hit quite often of:

CAN
I
MAKE A COME BACK??

Although many sources say YES...It is hard on the psyche through the process at times to have the confidence that those looking in on you have. The questions keep zooming through of can my body get that fast again? How long will it take? Is it really possibly? can I fit the training in? Will my body be able to handle it? Will I be able to build the speed back up? And this can keep a person tossing and turning at night trying to believe.

It is hard when you are running in the 8 and 9 and seldom 7 minute mile range at the moment and barely surviving the insane swim sets that used to be cake walk and you are just trying to get your legs back to the feeling of biking again to believe that by mid April you will be able to crank out some race splits with the ladies and keep up like you used to.

It is hard when people keep saying "it will come back" or "give it time" or things of this matter to not feel like you do in the last 2 minutes of a 5k when someone is pacing you and yelling at you to keep pushing and go go go. You just want to tell them to zip it (to put it nicely) but when you finish you thank them and are so appreciative. So hopefully in a few months I can do that. The support is genuine, the feedback is probably true but in the moment when you are slogging along and out of shape and the hours upon hours that are adding together and (while the daylight keeps getting shorter and shorter) make you tired it is very hard to believe that you will bounce back...

So on a positive note, the good thing is this happens to many whether it is a baby, family emergencies, injury, job situation or what have you they have to take time off. And time and time again they bounce back.

So here are my positive vibes I am giving myself:

Bar Method :
Since March 19th of 2010, I have ventured into the land of Bar Method. Going 4-5 times a week for 90% of the past 8.5 months has made my body a ton stronger in areas I was always extremely week. It has transformed me in ways which I am sure will help not only my confidence but my speed. It is a great full body workout on my calves, seat, hips, thighs, arms, core, and also helps me to stretch a ton. I plan to continue this and use this as a tool to make me stronger than I have ever been.

Yoga - Bikram :
On my recent trip to Phoenix I ventured into the land of Bikram Yoga. It is a very interesting experience that quite frankly is slightly uncomfortable during the 90 min but upon finishing is a pure blessing. For me this is a great detox and helps me to keep my mind and body at peace and cleansed. I plan to use this to cleanse 2x a month.

Coach GP :
Even though I came from a running background and it was my strength all through high school and my first years in triathlon, it has soon become my weakest. My swim and bike are steady and then the run I tend to hang on for dear life. So to change this, I hired my previous running coach from my marathon days to help take me a step further.

James :
James is one of my great friends and one bad-ass cyclist to say the least. He just slaughters peeps in the bike segment of multi-sport races due to his extensive experience and history with his pro cycling days. He will be my cycling guide to help take me to the next level.

Good 'Ol Wolfgang :
Although only 2 times a week so far and once on my own and quickly moving to 3 times a week already next week Wolfgang is the guide I will lean on at masters swimming to get me back in swimming shape. His comical remarks aside and fun ways to kick your ass are part of the fun and I am ready to take it all in.

My husband :
Kyle may not be out there training countless hours but he has been one all-star cheer leader. He has been so supportive of me and this transition back into sport again and I cannot thank him enough. And, this time around now he will even get to jog with me at times and ride with me which we are both very excited about.

My friends and family :
Those key individuals (you know who you are), that have been there 100% for me during my time in the sport and my time out of the sport the past two years. They are already all helping so much to keep me at it when I am tired or having trouble getting used to all of the hours.

Consistency :
For whatever reason this was a trait that looking back at times was simply challenging for me. In these two years I have really fixed this somehow and I plan to keep the trend going. We have been good thus far with this first month so that in itself will help it all come back into action.

So in the end I will focus on all of those things to answer my above question and plug away each day to my goal at hand and see where it ends up.

I hope this makes others that may be in my spot also have confidence that they will gain it back too. Or if you are on your way out know that there are people just like you when you decided to come back into the racing circle.

Cheers!