Body maintenance

After doing the Ironman in 2014, I'm focused on a more well balanced fitness routine for 2015. I am still considering some events for fun, but nothing necessitating the training dedication of 2014. I've been on this journey for 2015, searching out a good balance of working out for good health without the rigor and time demands of a training program.

I have to say that my body isn't liking my new approach, and for the last few months I have felt awful. I'm trying to figure out why. I have maintained a good diversity of exercise over this time between walking, biking, running, swimming, and lifting. I did tweak my knee over the winter, crawling out of a snow cave I made with the girls. That has caused some issues. But on the whole, my issues have been nagging not injury driven. And the result is I just don't feel very good physically, which is very frustrating considering the improvement in my balanced workouts. What is wrong with me!!!

My diet isn't drastically improved, but I have made some strides. One large change is the reduction of alcohol, due to it being so incredibly disruptive to my sleep habits. I'm probably carrying 5-10 pounds I don't need, but am in the range of weight I've been in for several years. Check that one off...

I'm no spring chicken, heading towards my 40th birthday. This leads me to the conclusion that I need to do more maintenance activity than I ever have before due to my age. And that's tough for me. But I have a plan...

1. I am going to try to get back to a two-times-per-day stretching routine. I've typically only stretched during times of high volume exercise, but some of my soreness, in particular in my back, feels like I need to stretch. 10 minutes when I get up and before I go to bed.

2. I will try to focus a larger percentage of my workouts on low impact activity, which for me is swimming and walking.

3. On my 2015 goals was to try yoga and develop a routine. I am hopeful this will provide strength, flexibility, and balance that helps my physical ails as well as the mind/body balance which landed it on my goal list in the first place.

I'm hopeful that this is a temporary state and that my plans improve how I feel. I'm only 39, and while I've used my body aggressively in those years I think I've done a good job taking care of myself. I'm just not anywhere ready to slow down.