I work to make a living, I don't live to work.

I think I'm pretty dang lucky to have a flexible work schedule and fit my training in where I want. Sure I miss a workout now and then but in my big picture of training for my first ironman, I'm still feeling good and staying on track. My boss is pretty cool and supports my tri-life with even a mild interest. Imagine that. I had one of those swim sessions last night that really cheered me up and made me forget the winter blahs for at least an hour or so. I did my prescribed 3,000 yards in less time than my coach had slated for me. Wooo hooo! It was supposed to take me about 60 minutes to complete but I blasted through it in 52 minutes. I felt like the biggest fish in a small pond (or at the local pool anyway) when I touched the wall after my last 100 yard sprint and saw that I had knocked about 9 seconds off my times from last year. I grinned so wide the lifeguard noticed me. Imagine that. While driving home from the pool, I thought about what things I did in the last 24 hours that effected the great swim I just had. First, I got 8 solid hours of sleep. That was awesome. I also had a good supper the night before and breakfast and lunch were balanced as well. I remember also going into the pool with a sense of purpose and focus. Besides those immediately tangible things, I got to thinking about the past several months and realized that I didn't have any major derailments and pretty much got to do whatever the heck I wanted to do. My off season last fall was about 9 weeks of just playing around and enjoying the outdoors. The holidays were fun with family and friends and then I began my training program. Work never entered the equation. What? How can that be? Of all the things I could think of that I did over the past few months, not once did a thought of work come to mind. I know I went to work cuz my paychecks all arrived on time so I must have spent some time at the office. I suddenly had a nice feeling of accomplishment and gratitude. Grateful for being able to only have to work to make a living and not living just to work. I hope I have many more days like this.