Sunday morning I woke up and was all ready to knock out my scheduled training plan for the day. First, I was all like:
Then, I was all like:
Normally, after a long day of training, John and I stick to a pretty set plan of the 3 R’s: refuel, recover, and rack out on the couch. Yet, by the end of the day on Sunday, we were all like:
What happened, right? With just under 4 weeks to go until Ironman Lake Placid for me, and just under 3 weeks to the Vermont 100 for him, this type of shenanigans is not part of the plan. Both of us are well past our “X-day.”
But, this particular Sunday also happened to be our 13th wedding anniversary, so perhaps we should do something a little bit out of the ordinary – but, just a little bit. I suggested to John that maybe we go grab some dinner in Atlantic City. Sit on the beach somewhere, enjoy a nice quiet night together.
“We’ll get there early, and we’ll get home early,” I said. In bed by 10 p.m. was the plan.
Then, it started to downpour. I watched out my window as the rain pummeled the ground. Hmmm. That doesn’t necessarily fit with the whole sit-outside-and-eat plan, does it?
So, we resorted to the regular Sunday afternoon plan: we hit the couch. It was about 2 p.m. at this time.
By 3:30 p.m., the rain had stopped, and there were even little hints of blue sky here and there. At 3:38 p.m., John said, “What time is the train to the City?”
“4 o’clock,” I replied.
“I guess we need to decide soon if we are going to head over, then,” John suggested.
Within 15 seconds, the two of us were changing clothes and within 10 minutes, we were headed out the door to the train station, which is only 5 minutes from our house.
The on-again, off-again plan was on again. We got to the city, sat on the beach for a little bit (AC Beach people watching is the best!), and then walked down to the Landshark Bar & Grill, which is the new outside bar at Resorts Casino, and part of the Jimmy Buffet Margarittaville attraction. It’s not fancy, but it’s right on the beach.
Within seconds of entering the Landshark, we ran into some friends. They were going to the Counting Crows concert. Did we want to go? Tickets are still available. You can order them right from your phone. It’s easy. C’mon, come with us!
Before my better judgment could take hold, we were all on our way to see the Counting Crows at the Borgata Casino.
Huh? A concert in the middle of Ironman training? What is this world coming to?
Now, pre-endurance sport, this wouldn’t have been off-the-plan for John and I. We used to go to live shows on a weekly basis – sometimes twice in a week. My, how life has changed!
Before the show started, I tried not to worry about how late we’d be getting home. I tried not to think about whether or not a late night out on the town would hurt my training.
As the music started, and they played some of my old favorites from when I was a young 20-something (who knew absolutely nothing but thought she did), my efforts at forgetting my life as a triathlete were a huge success. And, that’s how this happened.
And this…
When I woke up Monday morning, I was tired. We got home late, and I haven’t seen that many hours past my bed time in a very long time. I felt a brief twinge of regret.
What did I do? Will this ruin my training?
But, the regret passed as I thought about how much fun we had in the previous night, and in the many days and nights John and I have had together as a couple (16 years total, 13 as a married couple).
Going off the plan may not have been the best move for my training, but those spontaneous moves were good for the heart and soul. Yes, it is good to have structure and discipline and commitment. But, it’s also good to have lightness and laughter and dancing. Lots and lots of dancing.
Oh, yeah, I got the moves like Jagger, baby.
