Running or golf, running or golf

In the early part of this year, I set my sights on doing a marathon in the fall. Specifically, I picked a fall marathon close to where I live and which I had run before with some success. The date of the run would be in mid October and I would train using an 18 week program. That meant, I needed to get into shape and be able to start training 18 weeks before mid October.

So, in the early part of June, I started the training and began to put in the miles and do the workouts. At the same time, I continued to practice on the range a couple of lunch times per week, played in my league every Thursday and tried to play two or three Saturdays per month. Along with the running and the golfing, I wanted to do some reading and writing. Usually, after a lunch at the range and a run after work, and then taking care of the normal chores around the house (cutting, edging the lawn, a load of laundry every so often, making a dinner - this was when my beloved wife was on vacation in the west) I was hard pressed to do anything more than go to sleep - definitely no time for reading or writing.

I'm not sure of the exact date of my epiphany but I'd guess it was about two months ago. At the end of a day when I did not get everything I wanted to get done done, I realized that I was trying to do too much. I'm sure that one night, as I walked out of the gym, having done a good running workout, I realized that I would not make it to the library that evening and I thought about what I was trying to do and my goals. I wanted to do really well at golf and really well at running. Each activity was very similar in terms of the time it takes to work on and get better at - about an hour or a little more each week day and multiple hours on Saturday.

Yes, I did want to run another marathon. And, yes, I did want to play my best golf and continue to make good progress through the summer and into the fall. Then, it hit me. I can only play golf while the weather is good, which, in my town is middle spring to middle fall. I can run . . .

any day of the year. Even if the temperature goes below freezing, I can go indoors and run on the treadmill. You can probably see what is coming.

I decided that during the golfing months of the year, I would use most of my athletic/physical hobby time practicing or playing golf (and, I would keep myself in shape by doing a steady and regular routine of running 2-3 times per week). Conversely, during non-golfing months, or perhaps better said, the running months of the year, I would get into a training program and pursue a marathon at the end of winter or early spring.

The plan above gives the right amount of attention to the two activities I love the most and maximizes the enjoyment of each, without requiring a 25 hour day or 8 day week. I still have time to read, do some writing, and do all the other normal married guy things.

I'm working the plan, currently still practicing quite a bit at the range, but ramping up the running slowly so I'll be ready to train with gusto in about a month. I like the decision and the forward direction it takes me in.

Have a good one. KipK