Another Season Done Before it Starts-Motivation Needed

That can be discouraging.  I hope you heal quickly.

How is your swimming?  If it needs work, maybe you can set some goals for improvment and work on that while maintaining a good aerobic base, and consider entering some ows races?

If it's already awesome, then consider some ows races to have something to inspire you to work hard to hit the podium in them?

Since swimming seems to be your main 'thing' right now, some find that varying their swim sets helps avoid boredom.  Drills like kick/balance/pulls help break up the routine too.  Might consider entering local swim event if that appeals to you. 

Maybe volunteer at local tri's to stay connected?  Not quite same thing, but many a good baseball umpire started officiating as a way to stay involved their sport.

On the bike- might changing up your gearing (compact, bigger cassette) allow you to continue riding those hills?  Or perhaps an ankle shim might help-

http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2006/letters07-31

BTW- It's great that you are still working out swimming!!!  My swim motivation is WAY down this year for some reason.

No need to be sorry for your post.  Everyone gets down sometimes.  Support is part of BT 'mission'.

Best of luck & keep us posted.

Thanks for being nasty and making it personal.

On a more productive note, volunteering at races can be a very positive outlet.

we've all been there...hang in there.  do what you can to be and stay healthy.  sometimes it means rest, sometimes it means dialing down intensity...sometimes it means temporary rest or modifying workouts.  Stay positive, it gets better!

...and for what it's worth, I don't believe mellicon was trolling.  In fact, it really is good advice to look around and see others out there have bigger obstacles facing them.  No harm intended!  we've all been there...and will likely be there again!  ...hopefully not too soon  Good luck!

If I were in this situation I would reflect on what doing a tri does for me. For myself I like how alive I feel when I exercise and I like the challenge that training in three sports offers and the creativity and sensitivity involved in working on good swimming form. So if I couldn't compete or exercise I would try to do other things that met those needs. What else could I do that would be challenging? That would demand my creativity and make me feel alive. Triathlon training is a strategy that meets my needs for those things but other things could do it just as well. Instead of getting fixated on your preferred way to satisfy those parts of your life look and see what else you could do. 

My dream for myself and anyone I encounter on this site or meet is for them to live a life full of aliveness and challenge. To live a life that expands instead of contracts. I know from personal experience that humans esp. ones willing to do something like tris have a great capacity for growth and transformation. I hope you maintain your sense of hope and that you find other ways to fulfill the longing for aliveness that I read in your post. 

Sorry - that's unbelievably frustrating.  Maybe find a Century ride that's relatively flat.  Even if you have to travel a ways, just to treat yourself and have a target to aim at.  good luck and God speed with repair and recovery. 

I totally get it.

I have had medical issues last 2.5 years. I struggled through training and racing in 2010 and 2011. 

This year I'm having significant pain in my knees, hips and one shoulder. Running is totally out. Swimming my shoulder bothers me and riding knees and right hip. Doctors haven't been able to diagnosis what's wrong with me.

I understand how hard it is to do something on a limited basis due to injury.

DO THIS:

You mention "zombie" through 2K in the pool - join a Masters group for more focused workouts and accountability; or at a minimum find a couple of swim partners.

For cycling - is there any way you can get a trainer?  No hills and you have full control over the intensity.

For run fitness you can try the dreaded pool running, which will help you keep some run fitness.

You mentioned you've gained weight: Focus on your diet - you'll have a little more time on your hands - clean up your diet (if it needs it) and now is the time to be super cautious with what you put in your mouth.  Don't throw too many pity parties - remember, it's that much harder to get back to your "A" body if you put on too much weight.

If you don't really like any of the exercise you are doing, and you're not racing anyway...why not do exercise you DO like? Pool run (okay, some people do like it). Ride a trainer and read your way through the classics or watch all 7 seasons of Buffy. Take up rowing. Play golf (yes, golf can be exercise). Learn to canoe. Do yoga. Buy a handcycle.

There are lots of ways to be fit and active, and to indulge your competitive spirit and goal driven nature without triathlon. Millions of people do it every day :-)

Good luck!

You know....staying fit doesn't have to be all about triathlon....in looking your list of ailments you;d be a perfect candidate for some long distance kayaking....I can speak from experience when I tell you it's a great sport.  Look around....there's more....lots more!  Triathlon is just one game....if you can't get there right now find another game.

Good luck.