Burn out post Ironman

[lhbackcountry]

So i made a goal about two years ago to get back in shape and decided my midlife crisis goal would be a full Ironman bc hunting doesn’t take enough time as is. Well fast forward and i completed it and two months later lost all progress i made in basically 20 odd months. Sobriety is back on the struggle ( i blame family, holidays, and mostly myself ) and curious what has worked for y’all to snap these lows

Santa ( my therapist) said I’ll get a new lefty 223 tikka if i open up to friends.

 

[Reburn]

You need a new goal.

I bet you cant do 2 ironmans.....

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Back when I I was intending Ironman triathlons, I always had A, B and C goals for the year, an Ironman would be an A, a B goal would be something like a trail ultra, a destination marathon or a half Ironman (I always like Buffalo springs lake). C goals were local triathlons, 5-10k road races, mountain bike races and time trial races.

Now days hunting and fishing goals also get the ABC status.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Enjoy the journey.
Destinations cannot give you enough motivation to sustain through the “valleys.”
Find peace with God through Jesus. Life is not meant to be a rat race, but we are called to live with a purpose. That purpose is not a goal to be met, but a life to be lived.
All of a sudden, everything matters, nothing is trivial and you have hope for tomorrow, because you know you’re working to make it better.

 

[lhbackcountry]

You need a new goal.

I bet you cant do 2 ironmans.....

Fool me once……

 

[Titan]

It's not unusual to have a 60+ day recovery after a full. Let your body rest. You won't lose all that work - once you pick back up some, it comes back fast.

 

[IBen]

Set a goal to make a PR in the mile or 400m. That type of fitness is much better for you in the long term than an ironman or marathon or ultra’s.

 

[jzeblaz]

I had this happen to me post Leadville (MTB) after 2019 finish, Covid no bike races. Best thing is to target another event or activity and get after it. I really crave the events to keep me honest and working toward the goal. Good luck and as far as the sobriety, that's a daily choice we can make. Easier said than done? Maybe, but it's doable. Find the support you need. There's a great thread on here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/quitting-alcohol.226162/ Hang in there. You got this.

 

[180ls1]

Get back to the fundamentals and with time it will self correct.

How are you doing with the below?
- Relationships: friends - family - God (a simple prayer asking for help goes a long way in my experience)
- Rest: - Sleep - Hormones? - Training modification
- Nutrition - you know what you're doing wrong
- Work - anything you could do better?

 

[OregonSteeler]

I did an Olympic Triathlon this past summer and am signed up for a half IM in July. Also looking at a potential marathon and a longer bike race to put on the schedule. Like you, I didn't want to lose all the work and effort I've gained because damn...it goes quick! I really relaxed my training regimen in November, and I was shocked at how quickly I gained 10lbs and lost the top end of my endurance.

I took the month of November as an opportunity to take what I've learned over the past year and apply to my training in 2025. To build a more solid foundation of endurance so it's not a struggle-bus when I'm racing. I'm working on my base now and will pick up the intensity and interval training in the spring.

For me, having something on the calendar and the overall stress of losing the endurance/fitness that I've gained is enough to keep me motivated. This and what someone said above. Enjoy the training and focus on the small gains. Ex: I ran 7mi yesterday, shoot for 8mi the next. Little wins are enough to keep me going. I've also got a mental list of where I can make the most gains and what I want to accomplish before my race season. Swimming is my #1 nemesis, and I want to really become an above average swimmer this year. This is no easy feat for me and keeps me motivated and on my toes.

Good luck!

 

[eamyrick]

Tough spot and I’ve been through the cycle many times and always struggle when I don’t have something to work toward. I also blame suburban life. As mentioned before, check in with God everyday, grind though the sobriety as substance doesn’t help, and find a new routine.

Don’t forget, God made you who you are and that restless motivation is a superpower and perfect and meant for something big.

 

[mtnbiker208]

I am an extremely goal oreinted person. Once one goal is done, you have to look for and set up another goal. if not i flounder around. With that said, short breaks every now and than are not bad. But short breaks, not long ones all the time. go get some!

 

[wyogoat]

Do you think it’s possible you’re just worn out from telling everyone you did an Ironman? Because isn’t that a requirement post Ironman? I’m kidding with you but was in a long relationship with a woman who did two fulls a year and it was an art form how she could work it into any conversation despite leaving out how she barely made time cuts and spent over an hour in transitions…
As a competitive cyclist who focuses on being in the mix at the end of 100 to 150 mile mountain and gravel races, I find I have to register for races in the off season as a way to focus through the crappy months. I forced myself to register for Leadville last week to make sure I'm disciplined on my diet through the holidays. I’ll register for a few 100 plus mile gravel races in the next weeks to reinforce that.
I never got into tris but if I did and Ironman distance was the thing I think the sprints and Olympic distance races sound like great calendar filler…you compete, stay focused, work on transitions and all that with the training seems to keep people on the straight and narrow. Plus they don’t totally ruin the weekend.
What training plan are you using? Have a coach? Using training peaks or anything for accountability? Those things help me tremendously.

 

[P Carter]

Maybe focus on a simple but consistent strength-training program for a few months. Something that's not mentally draining, but enough to get you out of the house a few days a week. And that prevents burnout while working on other areas of fitness.

 

[Xxtavixx]

I am in odd duck, and also lefty.

I realized I am not interested in challenging and competing against others but if I turn it into a competition against myself…its better. Im not sure if that will help.

For physical fitness I have to stick to a routine. I do cardio 2x a week and lift 2x a week st the gym and try to do some at home stuff. Consistency is key for me.

 

[Gwchem]

I had this happen to me post Leadville (MTB) after 2019 finish, Covid no bike races. Best thing is to target another event or activity and get after it. I really crave the events to keep me honest and working toward the goal. Good luck and as far as the sobriety, that's a daily choice we can make. Easier said than done? Maybe, but it's doable. Find the support you need. There's a great thread on here: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/quitting-alcohol.226162/ Hang in there. You got this.

I was at that leadville as well, and have almost never recovered in my cycling interest. Just pushed too hard, then covid messed everything up.

 

[lhbackcountry]

Thank you for the replies. Another reminder iron sharpens iron. Happy holidays.

 

[Mojave]

Give up all carbs (seriously), booze, eat nothing but meat and veg.

Get more involved in the family.