It’s tempting to say that life has been getting in the way of my training lately. I’m 4 weeks into a 5 week stretch of traveling from one multi-day party with friends and family to the next. Summer’s here.

I have indeed set back my training. I gashed my foot on a lake day the second weekend, which sidelined me from running for a bit. And many late nights have made me too tired to fit in any really quality lifting workouts. This has me bummed.

But life doesn’t get in the way of training; training is just a part of life. As are partying and flight delays that eat up entire days. I’m a hybrid athlete, because I want a well-rounded life. This means putting as much focus on enjoying life and strengthening relationships as I do on competing.

It’s now well documented that having strong relationships will make a person live a longer, happier life. An analysis of 148 studies and over 300,000 individuals found having weak relationships was the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day and consuming excessive alcohol. So, maybe all the alcohol I drink while strengthening my relationships is a net positive for my health?

Life’s too short for regrets. This stretch of time has been a small fitness setback in a lifetime of training but many steps forward for important relationships in my life. This weekend, I’m going to my brother’s wedding, and I’m going to keep this train a rollin’. I hope to help make it the best day of his life.

After that, it’ll be time to lock back in again.

Training Updates

Over the last 3 weeks:

• 61,000 lbs of total lifting volume. Less than I typically lift in a single week.

• 4 miles ran

• 31 miles biked

• ~70 beers drank

• 1 lb of body weight gained.

My Goals For This Week

• Watch the cut on my foot heal.

• Bench goals: Do some peaking strength work before I start a new cycle next week.

  • Monday: Top Set of 235×3

  • Thursday: Top Set of 245×2

• Lower lift goals: Refamiliarize myself w/ lower lifts after 4 weeks out for Ironman recovery and injuries

  • Tuesday: Very low intensity squat and deadlift session

  • Friday: Some bodyweight exercises to get reps and glute activation in

• Running goals:

  • 10 mile week on runs Monday (4) and Wednesday (6).

  • Plus a bike home from work on Tuesday.

• Help make my brother’s wedding the best day of his life.

A Thought For The Week

Are you prioritizing relationships alongside your training? Are there things you could do this week to boost both?

Real Training Means Being Fit And Fun.

Train hard. Play hard.