Change Is Coming!: Life Changes. Goals Shift. But Training Doesn’t Have to Stop.
- Coach Nick Farr
- Aug 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Let’s talk about something that hits every athlete eventually: Life changes.
New job. New city. New relationship. A partner moves in. A partner moves out. You start night shifts. You go back to school. Or, like me, you welcome a tiny human into your world who doesn’t care at all about your training schedule.
Whatever the change is, one thing becomes clear fast: Your old routine is gone.
And when that happens, it’s easy, so easy, to assume that training has to stop, or that you’re “falling behind,” or that your goals no longer matter because your priorities are shifting.
I get it. I’ve been there.
My Personal Wake-Up Call (Literally... at 2:47 AM)
Not long ago, I became a dad. I was used to training early, recovering well, and structuring my day around helping others train and getting in my own training. I had time to foam roll. I could track my sleep. I could experiment with workouts. I could plan.
Now? My “early morning session” is whatever I can fit in before the baby wakes up and screams like she’s auditioning for a horror movie. My recovery fuel involves eating half of her mashed banana. My heart rate spikes not from intervals, but from hearing, “DADA!” through the monitor mid-ride.
But here’s what I’ve learned. Yes, life changed. My energy shifted. My free time got less “free”. But I didn’t quit.
I adjusted. And that is the message I want you to hear.
Just Because Life Changes Doesn’t Mean Progress Has to Stop
You don’t need the perfect setup. You don’t need unlimited time. You don’t need to hit every single session to be moving forward.
Training in this phase of life isn’t about optimization. It’s about consistency and adaptability.
And I’m not just talking to new parents. I’m talking to:
The athlete who just started a new job and can’t train at lunchtime anymore
The person who moved to a new city and hasn’t found their running group yet
The person navigating a breakup or a new relationship and trying to figure out what “normal” looks like now
The person dealing with a family illness, or taking care of a loved one, or just feeling completely overwhelmed
Life will always shift. The challenge isn’t to resist it. It’s to evolve with it.
What That Evolution Might Look Like
You used to train 6 days a week. Now it’s 3 or 4
You used to have big race goals. Now your goal is to feel strong and grounded
You used to crush early mornings. Now your training happens in 30-minute pockets between other obligations
You used to race long course or IRONMAN and now you get to focus on short, fast, hard efforts.
That’s okay.
Your fitness journey isn’t linear. It’s not a staircase. It’s a trail run. There are ups, downs, loose footing, and stretches where you just need to keep moving forward at whatever pace you can.
The athlete you are now might not look like the one from two years ago. Good. That means you’re growing.
What Doesn’t Have to Change
While your circumstances change, these things can stay:
Your commitment to yourself
Your identity as an athlete
Your ability to show up in whatever capacity you can
Your right to pursue goals, even if they’ve evolved
Training can be redefined. It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence.
Let Training Be the Constant
In times of change, stress, uncertainty, or excitement, movement anchors us. It reminds us of who we are. It gives us space to breathe, reflect, and come back to ourselves.
So don’t quit training just because your motivation dipped or your calendar exploded. Adjust. Recalibrate. But stay in it.
You’re not starting over. You’re starting again with more life experience and probably a few more gray hairs.
Final Word from Me
If life feels crazy right now, you’re not broken. You’re just adapting.
And if you need help figuring out what training can look like in your current reality, that’s what I’m here for. You don’t need to figure it all out alone.
Let’s build a plan that works with your life, not against it.
Keep showing up. The rest will follow.
Want help adjusting your training to match your real life (not your fantasy schedule)? Shoot me a message or drop a comment. I’ll help you find the tools and system that works and evolves with you. 💪
If this post hit home, share it with a friend who's going through a big life change and needs a reminder that their goals still matter. And if you want more honest, real-world training advice that fits your life (not someone else's highlight reel), subscribe to the blog so you never miss a post.
We're all in this together—just figuring it out one workout at a time.
About Nick Farr
Nick is the owner and Head Coach at P3 Fitness and has been a dedicated triathlete and runner for over 20 years. With a passion for endurance sports, Nick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his coaching, specializing in triathlon, running, and cycling. As an accomplished athlete and certified multi-discipline coach, he has guided countless athletes to reach their personal bests and achieve their goals. In his role as a Triathlon coach at P3 Fitness, Nick is committed to helping each individual unlock their full potential through tailored training programs and expert guidance.
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