Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Shifting priorities

Hmmm, 2 months, no blogging. Guess I've been a bit preoccupied. Between the holidays (8 people in our house), the feet and feet of snow (I think I actually developed a mild case of wrist tendinitis from all the shoveling), and the little freight train bearing down on our lives (56 days to go as of this writing), blogging has dropped way off the to-do list.


I had a fairly successful string of December workouts, getting in a few 2hr + rides in the sweaty, smelly Thompson basement, and a few decent long swims. Running hasn't been all that consistent, which I find odd because running has always been "my thing" that I always go back to.

Still having fun.... :)


As predicted, once 2009 hit, the impending arrival of our baby girl quickly assumed a position in the forefront of my conscience. I find it funny how one day (Dec 31) it can seem so far off by saying "next year", and mere hours later its like I'm in full-on crisis mode. Waaaaaaa!!!! Baby arriving THIS YEAR!!!


After a few weeks of trying to balance my weekly schedule of workouts with baby preparations, I finally had had enough. On Jan 15, as I stood in my daughter's nursery, I was paralyzed with feelings of dread and being overwhemed and underprepared. It literally looked like a cyclone had ripped thru the room, the result of random attempts to try and organize it. Lets just say that it was in no shape to be a first home to a newborn. I think it looked kind of like a college freshman's dorm room.


As a result, I made the tough, but right, decision to pull back significantly from my group workouts and focus on the home front. Taking my bike out of its cozy home in the Thompson's basement was difficult and a bit sad, but I knew that I needed it. While I sorely miss my training partners and the many great memories made while sweating for hours on end, the progress we have made at home on the nursery and house in general have been awesome. I feel so much better prepared to bring this kid home, and it has lifted an enormous weight off of my shoulders.


Of course, I still get the occasional good-natured "where you at's???" from my crew, but I think (hope) they understand. I feel much more grounded and at peace by making good decisions on which workouts to get to, and which to skip. I am thankful for the workouts I can make, and I have finally learned to stop dwelling on and regretting the ones I don't make. I knew that this triathlon year would be different for me with no Ironman, and now I'm finally in the execution stage of this "change". It has been hard, and I know that the next 8 months will be harder, but I continue to be super-excited to get to this next great adventure!
Still working out....just maybe not as much.

What will tomorrow hold? Who knows.....but I bet it will be pink! :)

7 comments:

Steve said...

Priorities...You have them in the right order. We love it when you can make it and totally understand when you can't.

You WILL be ready because it is YOU and you would let it be any other way.

I am always here to help and don't ever be afraid to ask. It is going to be a busy couple of months but you have a support system that runs deep.

Hang in there.

M-Dot said...

Tim,
Good job realizing the priority list. It changes so much with little peanuts on the way.
Never feel like you are letting your team down. Because the most important team is team Swanson!
It's a rough balancing act but, I know you will do it well.
Congrats Daddy!

jessithompson said...

D-Tib,

And the world is just as it should be...

Steve is RIGHT - your support system is for YOU... whatever it is that you are doing. Whether it is riding your bike or painting a nursery, we're always behind you all the way.

We support YOU. No matter what. Always.

And one thing is for certain, you will be an A+ daddy, which will be the hardest, best, most rewarding 'ironman' of all.

XOXO

Tiffany said...

Word to what our A+ teammates already said. I hope you don't EVER think we are disappointed in you when we don't see you at a workout. Do we miss you? You bet your ass we do! But we understand 100% and are SO excited for you as you embark on this whole new journey. Like Jessi said, we are behind you all the way! Don't ever hesitate to call when you need some help! Your priorities are in just the right place, we wouldn't have it any other way!

Anonymous said...

Tim,

Trust me, I know EXACTLY how you feel! Hang in there, you're in for the ride of your life, one you will never regret. Yes, life seems to (however you look at it) drastically slow down or totally speed up! You'll be an awesome dad, just remember to keep those priorities straight which it sounds like you're right on track . . .

Kathleen

ps. the lil' ones aren't as scary as they may seem, all they really need is love ;)

Trish said...

Timmers, I am so proud of you for always putting your family first. Your daughter is SO lucky to have such a well-prepared dad ;) I totally understand the stress of having a huge task weighing over your head. I am glad that you were able to start checking things off your to-do list and lifting that burden. Do what you gotta do. We DO miss you when you are gone, but totally support your decisions. Can't wait for baby Swanson to hurry up and get here already!!

P.S. Remember, I am ALWAYS here to help you out when you need it! (I am part of team Swanson support system for sure!) If you find yourself needing a good old OCD perfectionist...I am the girl to get the job done ;)

Jen said...

What a great perspective!
It's all about balance...as I'm learning in my own life. I can't wait to meet baby Swanson!