Two months into the new year and my list of training sins is growing:

1. No rest days. (I still run everyday).
2. Don’t train and try to lose weight at the same time.  (I have been dieting & losing weight since mid-January).
3. Settle on one event, and train for that event.  (I am training for the Tobacco Trail Marathon in March, my first Spartan Sprint race in April, and the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon in June.)
4. Choose one training plan. Commit to that plan.  (I have thrown together workouts from Run Less Run Faster to Triathlete Magazine’s Week-by-Week Training Guide)

So what? The worst consequences of compounding these sins are getting hurt or burning out.  Or just exploding during one (or all) of these races and DNF’ing.

All of these sins could be rooted in an inability to simply choose one fitness goal, and try for that. Choosing a fitness goal shouldn’t be that difficult, right? Just do it?   Maybe I am just confusing exercising with training.

Well, actually I guess I have prioritized these different goals.  And hopefully keeping each different goal in a priority will be my salvation, and keep me healthy & happy.

If it makes sense to have two top priorities, they are losing weight and keeping up my running streak.  When it comes to losing weight, I have been counting my calories with MyFitnessPal since mid January.  Instead of choosing a specific diet (like Atkins/low carb or something I haven’t tried), I am trying to eat more real foods, control my portions, cut down on junk food, and cut down on mindless late-night snacking.  So far I have been relatively successful, dropping about 10 lbs.  I am also hopeful that I am learning more healthy habits- particularly that I don’t have to mindlessly eat an energy bar whenever I feel hungry- or drink a few cups of chocolate milk to unwind each day.  (Yes, I typically unwind with chocolate milk instead of beer or wine. What can I say.)

And when it comes to my run streak- it’s still going, despite a chilly winter.

So for now, I know I am doing things wrong.  But I am enjoying myself.  And still going.