Power of Delayed Gratification

"A warrior is a guy that goes, I'm here again today. I'll be here again tomorrow and the next day.' It's a person who puts no limit on what's possible." - David Goggins

Powering Through Delayed Gratification

I am approaching my 2-year mark of #nodaysoff of training. Trained through bad hair, broken elbows, moves, job loss(s), broke, isolation, body, and face messed with (someone is having fun trying to age me. An elderly woman told me last year they underestimated my fitness - never her place to estimate it!) and postponed races. Thanks to discipline and consistency, I now have a V02 Max of 58, placing me in the top 1% of all women, regardless of age. 

I am focused on training up for the most wicked 140.6-mile triathlon consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile ride, and 26.2-mile run at the first opportunity I get to race while working on qualifying for the Boston Marathon. These goals aren't for anyone except me, and there is something profoundly satisfying about what I have accomplished these last few years under such adversity. My last few years have dramatically changed how I view the world. 

Not to mention, in a time of instant gratification, delayed gratification is the most critical factor to success in life.  I continue to demonstrate to my children the importance of delayed gratification and always betting on yourself. Because if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will....while role modeling the importance of a healthy lifestyle consisting of a whole foods-based diet and daily exercise.

With quick, cheap dopamine hits all around us (fast food, candy, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, opioids, porn, gambling, and social media), instant gratification is the new norm. For example, compare the average gym membership quit date and the average person is off their diet by six months to the weight loss drug market size. The global weight loss supplements market was valued at USD 33.4 billion in 2020 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6% from 2021 to 2028. 

Taking a pill for quick results is more appealing than doing the work. Terrible approach in the long run because then, when life happens, the behaviors that caused obesity in the first place have never been addressed, and once the pills stop working, consumers gain the weight right back. It's a vicious cycle that Big Pharma is betting will continue. By 2030, 50% of American adults will be obese. Before age 34, 1 out of 2 children is projected to be obese. 

Delayed gratification is the only way to long-term success.

Training W/C October 31, 2022

With my car repossessed, I rejoined LA Fitness this past week, a 1.5-mile round trip walk from my apartment, to continue training for IRONMAN, courtesy of my ex-husband, who paid for my membership. And I made sure I got my (his) money's worth! Very grateful as swimming is not just for IRONMAN training but also what I rely on for my elbow rehabilitation.

Swimming: 9,323 Yards (5.2 miles)

Cycling: 150.9 Miles

After hitting my all-time high last week of 212+ cycling miles in one week, I recovered this week from the weekly long ride with several mid-distance rides on Zwift, including: 

Petit Boucle in France, a 38-mile ride with an elevation gain of 1,585 feet!

Big Foot Hills, a 43-mile ride with an elevation gain of 2,346 feet!

Running: 48.5 Miles

Long run of the week was 17 miles @ a pace of 9:08 - this was a tough run because I ran in the dark for the first hour! I did get to see the sunrise over the Chatahoochee River!!

Fast run of the week was a 5K @ a pace of 8:07

Mid distance run of the week was a 9-mile run @ a pace of 8:43 with a heart rate of 122.

3 miles off a 32-mile ride @ a pace of 8:43.