For the past several years, I have been thinking about going back to weight training. When I first started running, almost 40 years ago, weights were part of my fitness regime. Single (so no kids to worry about) and working part-time, I had loads of time to train and work out. I was strong, fast and feeling great.

The change to married life, young children and a full-time job led to the reduction, then elimination, of my weight training. It was simply too hard to get to a gym, and lifting in the local man-cave did not appeal to me at all. Instead, I turned to isometric conditioning and yoga.

When my youngest turned 16, we bought him a gym membership for his birthday. As he committed to his building, I watched his body change. “I should do weights again,” I repeatedly told myself. But there was always a reason not to: busy with work, need to walk the dogs, family, meals, cleaning, housework, homework help….

The time is now. Over the holidays, while reflecting on my past few years in the world of triathlon, I recognized that I have done well but I do want to be faster. To do that, I need more muscle power in both the swim and on the bike. The addition of more strength in my legs will also help me with running. I thought about when I tore my hamstring, then re-tore it, and I couldn’t help but wonder if strength work would have prevented those injuries and other aches and pains that I have had in the past decade. The last thing I want now is to get injured. There is also loads of research about how important loading the muscles is for athletes, women and seniors. Identifying with all three, I knew that I couldn’t ignore strength work anymore.

Do I have time? No. Can I find time? Yes. Dave has taken over walking the dogs which has given me the time to go to the gym. I’m making an effort to get there two or three times a week for dedicated weight workouts – low weights with higher reps – and I already feel a difference. On Tuesday, for example, my legs felt tired when during the first few kilometres of my run and I realized that it was from the weight workout that I did the day before. By slowing down my pace, my legs were able to loosen up and my gait was back to normal within 20 minutes. What I notice the most, though, is the daily aches and pains have quietened.

Commit. Plan. Ask for help. Keep showing up. This is what I need to do. I’ve got this.