Well it is mid season and other than a couple of light runs I have not trained for the last week. I have been so focused on training that it seems almost surprising how easy it is to put it aside.
However when family is first foremost in your mind and heart you need to switch your focus. Now, it is not like this was not planned. We have been planning this trip to Hawaii for the last 6 months. My oldest daughter and her Husband are in the United States Marine Corps. They are stationed in Okinawa Japan. They have been there for a year and have 2 years left on their tour there. So the 2 of them and our Grandson (obviously the most important of the 3, Ha Ha). Left the states a year ago. We inherited their dog.
So this trip was supposed to be a family reunion of sorts. I was looking forward to having the entire family together. My wife and younger daughter were flying from Dallas to Hawaii. My elder daughter and her family were to fly from Okinawa to Hawaii. We were then to spend the week together. The Marine base in Hawaii here has cottages to rent. They are on the base and are situated near the beach. Who could ask for a better week.
Well it was not to be. My eldest is now in Houston awaiting surgery and My wife is there helping her get settled. I am here in Hawaii with my youngest. Oh the joys of non refundable tickets. Also the week before the trip my mother-in-law passed away and we traveled to that as well.
As this was unfolding training was on the back burner. I was so distracted with daily news, changes to plans, news of canceled flights that I did not even trust myself to ride my bike safely. That is all we needed is for me to crash my bike and end up in the hospital.
When it comes to training I feel that I have been fairly dedicated. Two weeks before this trip I traveled for work. I drove to Corsicana Texas. Before the trip I checked out the facilities and there was no pool in the area to swim in but I brought my bike and was able to get a couple of rides in. I travel to OKC from time to time for work and I found a pool to use.
I was able to do this because of my focus. I am training for a purpose. That purpose is what gives you the focus. Now that that purpose is secondary to the immediate needs of my family the focus is gone. Once the immediacy is gone the focus will be back.
It will be different though. My daughter and her family will need on going support for quite a while definitely through the summer and into the fall. This falls into the peak build period for my "A" race (IM Louisville). With the help of many I will still do this.
On thing I have certainly come to understand is Ph 4:13
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength"
