We’ve all been there
That slump.
That quiet, nagging feeling that you’ve slid backward. That things aren’t where they should be, or where they once were, back when everything felt aligned and you felt like you were exactly where you needed to be.
For me, and for many folks like me, racing isn’t just a hobby. It’s a lifestyle. And the motivation behind it looks different for everyone. For some, it’s a test of fitness. For others, it’s the satisfaction of setting a goal and reaching it (yes, some people genuinely love that). And for many, it’s simply the joy of competition.
My situation goes all the way back to 2003.
My fitness was in the tank. My eating habits were terrible. My exercise routine was nonexistent. And I was dealing with the health consequences of all of it. My initial goal had nothing to do with racing, it was about health. About life. About getting back to a place where I felt capable and in control.
Racing came later. It became a way to measure my fitness. A carrot at the end of the stick. A reason to stay consistent. Get fit → race → repeat. A cycle that kept me moving forward.
But like many people, especially this time of year, we hit the off-season. We take a break from structured training. We enjoy life a little more. Holidays happen. Food happens. Drinks happen. And when we come out the other side, we’re often not where we want to be fitness-wise.
That’s normal.
But this is also the moment where a choice gets made.
Now is the time to reset. To let go of the constant snacking, the extra alcohol, the habits that slowly creep in. Now is the time to move with intention again. To rebuild a regular fitness routine, whatever that looks like for you.
This is also the time of year when work ramps back up. When schedules get tighter. When life starts encroaching on personal time. And for me, that pressure often lands right on my fitness, something that isn’t temporary or optional, but a lifelong commitment.
Kids, work, busyness, those things are real. But so is your health.
Whether you race or not, you only get one body. One life. And your health has to be a priority. Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it for whatever matters most to you.
But don’t make excuses.
Yes, life gets busy. Work gets demanding. Family schedules fill up. That doesn’t change. What can change is whether you choose to carve out time for yourself and your health.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment.
Don’t wait to feel motivated.
Make it a priority.
Make it happen.
Because at the end of the day, it’s up to you.
Today is the day.
Speedy Lizard 