A simple mantra to help you do what you do best
Do what works for you and find a community that supports you while you do it.
I am a part of a few Triathlon Facebook communities. Given triathlon consists of three sports.
This sport pushed me in a lot of ways(as of now only running and cycling). This means I need to do 3 days of each while managing my strength, nutrition, sleep. I cannot just sleep for 5 hours and expect to train every day nor I can eat junk every day and expect to have a well-running system.
Long distances in runs and cycling mean fueling while on the run. I was forced to start testing on fueling what works for me and then optimize it to cost, taste, amount of carbs, etc.
I paid for a pool subscription just before the pandemic, brought a road cycle(read it as it nearly broke my bank account) and slowly over months I got a cadence sensor, aero bars, spare parts etc. For running, running shoes plus some recovery tools. Sports gear for running and cycling.
The list is too much to manage. I gave only a few examples of me trying to manage money, time, experimenting on fueling and I haven’t even got started properly.
This obviously is a mess and tracking these communities frequently have become a thing for me so I can understand what others are doing and managing their workouts/life. One of the best advice I saw(of course, it was a comment on a post) was —
“ You do you boo”
I saw people doing crazy things to accommodate their training, buying the gear, managing the work etc. The more I tried to find how people are doing. The more beautiful this community started looking for me. Because everyone has their own struggle to get things together and make them happen. And everyone in this community appreciates each other even if it means they are only trying and not always winning. And everyone takes themselves lightly. You can joke about them and their training and they will share a laugh with you.
This community is pure and asks you to do what works best for you. Because it is how it is with this sport. I can never forget this — You do you boo comment. I wish everyone is as supportive and letting people do what they do best and encourage them while they do it.
