Why I Train (the real reason)

I often ask myself when I'm exhausted from a hard workout, or in the middle of a hard workout, why I'm doing what I'm doing. During hard training and during hard workouts, the answer is usually something macho like "so I can kick everyone's ass at that race in a few weeks" or "I can get closer to my ultimate goal of a pro license".

It is in the off season though, that I realize the true reason for all the madness- I just feel better when I'm training. I feel better mentally, physically, and most importantly I'm more emotionally stable.

Training for a sport like triathlon has a list of benefits to long to list on this blog. The obvious benefits are a more healthy cardiovascular system. It helps me avoid things such as coronary artery disease - which if I were to lead a more sedentary lifestyle, I'd be at risk for. Vigorous exercise has been shown to improve and maintain brain function in adults. In other words if keep at it as I age, I have a better shot at being one of those old dudes you talk to and think "man he's pretty sharp for and old fart".

For me, the endorphins released from training is the greatest benefit. It acts as a natural pain reliever and anti-depressant in the body. This is somewhat counter intuitive in that one would expect to be sore and tired while training. While this is somewhat true I certainly sleep better and feel better when I get out of bed when I'm training. Right now since I've been taking it easy, I feel stiff and achy when I wake up. This means during training I'm probably more tired and able to reach REM (rapid eye movement) sleep easier and for a longer period of time. Training keeps my anxiety under control and allows me to truly relax.

I often have heard of those who have completed events such as Ironman and marathons talk of being addicted. It's not that these folks and myself like torturing ourselves, it's that we are addicted to how training for and competing in these events makes us feel. How often do you here of person who was serious marathoner or triathlete being over-weight? Not every often. How often do you see former football, baseball, basketball ect. ("popular sports") who are out of shape and over weight? Very often. This shows me that endurance sports are lifetime sports and create quite a unique addiction. Once you know what it feels like to train and compete in sport like longer distance triathlons - it's a hard habit to break. Triathlon is my drug - what is yours?

Mile 130 of Ironman Couer D'Alene - no words to describe how it feels.