STRENGTH: 16 min+28 mins Wii Upper body and sports day
So while I'm futsing around with the new TP.com site, I found a way to see my accumulated numbers for the year:
Swim: 77126y in 39hrs
Bike: 2271.4 miles in 136hrs
Run: 922.5 miles in 143 hrs
Commute: 229 miles (really?) (oh, that's only 38 6mile trips...)
As for nutrition, I don't fill that in everyday so it's an incomplete picture:
January - Sept:
62% carbs
20.1% protein
18%fat
In October:
44% carbs
24% protein
32% fat
WOW! Almost double the fat! I'll have to remember this at the end of the year to get my 2009 numerics. And that's a notable change in the nutrition numbers.
Well, now, to be fair, I wasn't training in October. What about another off-season month?
January: 70% carbs, 13.5% protein, 17.1% fat
2000y swim, 169mi bike, 60mi run.
OK, I'll buy it now, October is different.
I've decided against buying the books. Watch me change my mind tomorrow. I do need new ideas, but I don't think those are the books I need for that.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Not much to say!
SWIM 600y 20 mins, just killing time (monday)
BIKE 18mi 60 mins, trainer (Tuesday)
STRENGTH 50mins (tuesday)
RUN 6.5mi 55 mins, FP run (Thursday)
Rain, rain, GO AWAY! I'd love to commute to work but the weather these past few weeks has stopped me. Bummer to miss the cool weather. I'm enjoying the Thursday morning runs lately, I've found that I can push myself to hold a higher pace. Usually I just step back the pace thinking I'll burn out otherwise. In fact, I can hold the pace pretty well! Another Redman lesson...I'm stronger than I realize.
Pain report: right ankle still not 100%, hurts on the inside near the instep. Feels tight mostly, hopefully it shakes out before the half mary on Sunday. Also have a pleasant post-strength training pain in the gluts and legs from the 50 min WO on the Wii. Can't believe the Wii WO can stop me like this, I think it was all the squat jumps!
Nutrition report: still enjoying the PB theory. Sometimes I want to buy the book, other times I don't think I need it. My meals are starting to look the same everyday: veggie omelete, big ass salad, then dinner. Need to get some variety in there! I surf the primal recipe pages but I don't see much other than meats prepared different ways. Then again, I lack food imagination so reading a recipe doesn't conjure up flavors for me, it's just words. I might do better to read other peoples food logs for ideas. Also need to watch the snacking. Funny thing is, I'm used to snacking after having to eat every 3 hrs for the past few years. When I stop myself, I find I'm really not hungry and just snacking out of habit! On the plus side, I've found a few new foods I love: cashew butter, coconut oil, veggies in coconut oil, almond meal. All yummy!
BIKE 18mi 60 mins, trainer (Tuesday)
STRENGTH 50mins (tuesday)
RUN 6.5mi 55 mins, FP run (Thursday)
Rain, rain, GO AWAY! I'd love to commute to work but the weather these past few weeks has stopped me. Bummer to miss the cool weather. I'm enjoying the Thursday morning runs lately, I've found that I can push myself to hold a higher pace. Usually I just step back the pace thinking I'll burn out otherwise. In fact, I can hold the pace pretty well! Another Redman lesson...I'm stronger than I realize.
Pain report: right ankle still not 100%, hurts on the inside near the instep. Feels tight mostly, hopefully it shakes out before the half mary on Sunday. Also have a pleasant post-strength training pain in the gluts and legs from the 50 min WO on the Wii. Can't believe the Wii WO can stop me like this, I think it was all the squat jumps!
Nutrition report: still enjoying the PB theory. Sometimes I want to buy the book, other times I don't think I need it. My meals are starting to look the same everyday: veggie omelete, big ass salad, then dinner. Need to get some variety in there! I surf the primal recipe pages but I don't see much other than meats prepared different ways. Then again, I lack food imagination so reading a recipe doesn't conjure up flavors for me, it's just words. I might do better to read other peoples food logs for ideas. Also need to watch the snacking. Funny thing is, I'm used to snacking after having to eat every 3 hrs for the past few years. When I stop myself, I find I'm really not hungry and just snacking out of habit! On the plus side, I've found a few new foods I love: cashew butter, coconut oil, veggies in coconut oil, almond meal. All yummy!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Happy Birthday...now AGE UP
RUN 6.5mi 55mins (thursday)
RUN 6mi 60?mins Pere Marquette (saturday)
The week started off with the CF wo with BN. This resulted in a pained neck, back, and shoulders, and kept me from swimming all week. I relented at the end of the week and took some Advil with substantial improvement. I ended the week with a run at PM, where I twisted my right ankle twice, resulting in further medicating. It feels great now, but I'm not sure how much of that is the meds. But I finally feel like I have enough flexibility back to hit the pool tomorrow morning.
Well, welcome to F35-39! Having a birthday late in the year means I spend my 34th year racing in a higher bracket, but I guess it also means I'm younger than everyone else. Last year I made some promises to myself, and to this day I've held to them with good results. Any promises this year? Sure, but as before they stay personal. Although I will say here, as it is relevant, that come today I'm done with Redman. No more rethinking or reliving. Over. Done. Good night. Turn the page and move on.
Goals for next year? Sub 50 10K. Sub 22 5K. Finish a century. Sub 19 1000y. Be Courageous, but know your limits. Be Patient, and enjoy the journey. Believe in yourself, and stay true to your goals. Keep in mind the 10 Things Learned From Redman (especially the 11th one). They hold a key to next years successes and failures.
Had a great relaxing weekend, boosted by a surprise visit from home! My birthday gifts were triathlon-centric, always a good idea. I wonder if that's all I talk about or something.... ;-)
Numerics update: this week/since Sept 14
SWIM:m 0/10,612
BIKE: 20/128.3
RUN: 19.5/88.05
$$: 284/1249 BRR spree of shoes, capris, jacket.
RUN 6mi 60?mins Pere Marquette (saturday)
The week started off with the CF wo with BN. This resulted in a pained neck, back, and shoulders, and kept me from swimming all week. I relented at the end of the week and took some Advil with substantial improvement. I ended the week with a run at PM, where I twisted my right ankle twice, resulting in further medicating. It feels great now, but I'm not sure how much of that is the meds. But I finally feel like I have enough flexibility back to hit the pool tomorrow morning.
Well, welcome to F35-39! Having a birthday late in the year means I spend my 34th year racing in a higher bracket, but I guess it also means I'm younger than everyone else. Last year I made some promises to myself, and to this day I've held to them with good results. Any promises this year? Sure, but as before they stay personal. Although I will say here, as it is relevant, that come today I'm done with Redman. No more rethinking or reliving. Over. Done. Good night. Turn the page and move on.
Goals for next year? Sub 50 10K. Sub 22 5K. Finish a century. Sub 19 1000y. Be Courageous, but know your limits. Be Patient, and enjoy the journey. Believe in yourself, and stay true to your goals. Keep in mind the 10 Things Learned From Redman (especially the 11th one). They hold a key to next years successes and failures.
Had a great relaxing weekend, boosted by a surprise visit from home! My birthday gifts were triathlon-centric, always a good idea. I wonder if that's all I talk about or something.... ;-)
Numerics update: this week/since Sept 14
SWIM:m 0/10,612
BIKE: 20/128.3
RUN: 19.5/88.05
$$: 284/1249 BRR spree of shoes, capris, jacket.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
C'est si bon!
RUN 7m 63mins (mon)
STRENGTH 60 mins crossfit (tues)
BIKE 20m 80mins (tues)
Let me start by saying that crossfit both rules and hurts. But it feels so good. I have sore muscles where I forgot I had muscles. It's particularly neat because of the isolation of some of the leg muscles, instead of generalized soreness. The bike ride was with LC, a beautiful mid-day ride up the BS route.
Had an ARC shift last night, and I was the most awake I've ever been for that. The PB is apparently working for me! I'm eating about 200g carbs even on a 2+hr day and doing OK. Although I was starving at dinner and after shift! I probably overate, haha, but it's all so good.
Club meeting tonight, hope to squeeze in a swim beforehand.
STRENGTH 60 mins crossfit (tues)
BIKE 20m 80mins (tues)
Let me start by saying that crossfit both rules and hurts. But it feels so good. I have sore muscles where I forgot I had muscles. It's particularly neat because of the isolation of some of the leg muscles, instead of generalized soreness. The bike ride was with LC, a beautiful mid-day ride up the BS route.
Had an ARC shift last night, and I was the most awake I've ever been for that. The PB is apparently working for me! I'm eating about 200g carbs even on a 2+hr day and doing OK. Although I was starving at dinner and after shift! I probably overate, haha, but it's all so good.
Club meeting tonight, hope to squeeze in a swim beforehand.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Cycling-watching not racing
a bit behind here...
SWIM 45 mins 1400y 7x200 drills
BIKE 90 mins 24miles
SWIM 20 mins 500y more drills
RUN 50mins 4.25 miles in Babler Park
Watched cyclocross racing for the first time--awesome! I want a cross bike! (I want a lot of things). I'm not so interested in competing as I am in just doing it for the fun and challenge. Seems a lot more my style than road racing, which seems more a strategy competition. I just want to ride, not think about riding. Either way, I need to get the Bird re-fit and before I do that it would help to know what my goals are for next summer. Road racing? TT?
The PB thing is going good but I have no imagination. Working on it.
Numerics: this week/total since 14 Sept.
Swim: 2900/10,612y
Bike: 41/ 108.3
Run: 9.45 / 68.55
$$: 0/ 965
SWIM 45 mins 1400y 7x200 drills
BIKE 90 mins 24miles
SWIM 20 mins 500y more drills
RUN 50mins 4.25 miles in Babler Park
Watched cyclocross racing for the first time--awesome! I want a cross bike! (I want a lot of things). I'm not so interested in competing as I am in just doing it for the fun and challenge. Seems a lot more my style than road racing, which seems more a strategy competition. I just want to ride, not think about riding. Either way, I need to get the Bird re-fit and before I do that it would help to know what my goals are for next summer. Road racing? TT?
The PB thing is going good but I have no imagination. Working on it.
Numerics: this week/total since 14 Sept.
Swim: 2900/10,612y
Bike: 41/ 108.3
Run: 9.45 / 68.55
$$: 0/ 965
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Still Superfly!!
RUN 3.1 miles, 27 mins (weds) 22 mins running 2.7 miles, 5 mins drills
RUN 6.3 miles, 54 mins (thurs)
Still have supafly stuck in my head, I think it has to do with all this crazy energy I have. I'm bouncing around everywhere. I think I need to train more! My initial planning had me base training starting this week, I've kinda started. OK, not really. But I do hope to get to the pool tonight before the meeting.
The news on the radio this morning had a discussion on a proposed smoking ban. I can see both sides of the issue, but I can't believe that I actually side with the smokers on this one. I hate smokey atmospheres and recognize the health dangers, but my vote is that the place of business should be able to choose to have a ban or not. Then both smokers and non-smokers have the freedom to choose as well. But then again, I don't go out to bars, casinos, etc anyway so why do I care?
RUN 6.3 miles, 54 mins (thurs)
Still have supafly stuck in my head, I think it has to do with all this crazy energy I have. I'm bouncing around everywhere. I think I need to train more! My initial planning had me base training starting this week, I've kinda started. OK, not really. But I do hope to get to the pool tonight before the meeting.
The news on the radio this morning had a discussion on a proposed smoking ban. I can see both sides of the issue, but I can't believe that I actually side with the smokers on this one. I hate smokey atmospheres and recognize the health dangers, but my vote is that the place of business should be able to choose to have a ban or not. Then both smokers and non-smokers have the freedom to choose as well. But then again, I don't go out to bars, casinos, etc anyway so why do I care?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Superfly!
BIKE 17miles 60 mins cold and windy so I did the trainer! hated it.
Not sure why, but Superfly has been stuck in my head for days now. More like Supafly! Evidently, my mind doesn't have enough to do.
Whether is the PB thing or the relative lack of training, I'm having a complete lack of afternoon slump this week. Any my energy is flying high. Like Supafly high? Yup. I'm bouncing all over, wide awake, and loving it. I'm not particularly low-carb, rather, I don't build my meals around my carbs anymore. Instead I build them around protein. I'm also never very hungry and can go hours without eating much. This is an interesting test!
Not sure why, but Superfly has been stuck in my head for days now. More like Supafly! Evidently, my mind doesn't have enough to do.
Whether is the PB thing or the relative lack of training, I'm having a complete lack of afternoon slump this week. Any my energy is flying high. Like Supafly high? Yup. I'm bouncing all over, wide awake, and loving it. I'm not particularly low-carb, rather, I don't build my meals around my carbs anymore. Instead I build them around protein. I'm also never very hungry and can go hours without eating much. This is an interesting test!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Patience and Courage
SWIM 1000y 30 mins
Well at least I'm consistent, every swim I do these days is 1000y in 30 mins. Soon enough, I'll go longer, but for now I'm still drilling and learning. Patience!
By the calendar, I had thought about starting the Friel base plan today. I'm completely out of the habit of schedule training, but I think it's too early still. Another few weeks. But at least keep the hours up, that will make the transition to scheduled life easier. Patience!
I received a quote today, included in some words of encouragement. The whole quote wasn't sent to me, a partial was, but I'm including the whole version:
It reads funny, like a word is missing...
One of my buzz words is Courage (along with Patience and Faith). For me, courage means the inner strength to tackle what might seem an insurmountable goal. To show no fear and face what difficulties lie ahead with with fortitude and resolve. I haven't digested this quote yet, so I've included it here for later reflection. Maybe on my next run...
Well at least I'm consistent, every swim I do these days is 1000y in 30 mins. Soon enough, I'll go longer, but for now I'm still drilling and learning. Patience!
By the calendar, I had thought about starting the Friel base plan today. I'm completely out of the habit of schedule training, but I think it's too early still. Another few weeks. But at least keep the hours up, that will make the transition to scheduled life easier. Patience!
I received a quote today, included in some words of encouragement. The whole quote wasn't sent to me, a partial was, but I'm including the whole version:
If people bring so much courage into this world the world has to kill them to break them, so of course it kills them. The world breaks every one and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of those you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry. A Farewell to Arms.
It reads funny, like a word is missing...
One of my buzz words is Courage (along with Patience and Faith). For me, courage means the inner strength to tackle what might seem an insurmountable goal. To show no fear and face what difficulties lie ahead with with fortitude and resolve. I haven't digested this quote yet, so I've included it here for later reflection. Maybe on my next run...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Hit the Trails!
RUN RACE 12.8 miles 1:55
Today's race was fantabulous. I started out fast (8-830's) then settled in to a 9-915 average. Unlike most races in which I back off the pace, thinking I need to reserve something, I went all out for it. I ran smart, but as fast as I thought I could maintain. Crossing the finish line strong felt like I gained some redemption. Garmin said 9:03 pace for both laps.
And, I ate PB for the race! Breakfast was canned pumkin, banana, some cashew butter. Race fuel was homemade energy gel. Recovery was banana, blueberries, milk, protein powder and SF. I ate part of a hotdog--ick. Meal at home was sweet potato, nuts, peanut butter, dates. Usually I would have eaten oatmeal, banana, homemade gels, pretzels, hot dog bun, homemade bread, fig bar. Yikes, what a difference, and I feel FINE. I feared a lag of energy, a low of glycogen, but never felt it. Granted, it's early, so the low could still hit. Regardless, I'm eating new foods and thinking about what I'm eating.
Numerics update! I skipped a week so a weird format here:
2 weeks ago/This week/Since I started counting Sept 14th
Resting HR still high 40's
Swim: 1000/1000/7712
Bike: 0/13.3/ 67.3
Run: 14.4/13.3/59.1
$$: 0/18/965 Race fee for today's race was 17.5, but I won a $10 GC, should I substract that?
Oh, I forgot to mention I placed third in my AG!
Today's race was fantabulous. I started out fast (8-830's) then settled in to a 9-915 average. Unlike most races in which I back off the pace, thinking I need to reserve something, I went all out for it. I ran smart, but as fast as I thought I could maintain. Crossing the finish line strong felt like I gained some redemption. Garmin said 9:03 pace for both laps.
And, I ate PB for the race! Breakfast was canned pumkin, banana, some cashew butter. Race fuel was homemade energy gel. Recovery was banana, blueberries, milk, protein powder and SF. I ate part of a hotdog--ick. Meal at home was sweet potato, nuts, peanut butter, dates. Usually I would have eaten oatmeal, banana, homemade gels, pretzels, hot dog bun, homemade bread, fig bar. Yikes, what a difference, and I feel FINE. I feared a lag of energy, a low of glycogen, but never felt it. Granted, it's early, so the low could still hit. Regardless, I'm eating new foods and thinking about what I'm eating.
Numerics update! I skipped a week so a weird format here:
2 weeks ago/This week/Since I started counting Sept 14th
Resting HR still high 40's
Swim: 1000/1000/7712
Bike: 0/13.3/ 67.3
Run: 14.4/13.3/59.1
$$: 0/18/965 Race fee for today's race was 17.5, but I won a $10 GC, should I substract that?
Oh, I forgot to mention I placed third in my AG!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
I'm diggin' these off weekends
BIKE 13.3miles 53 minutes on The Bird
The Bird doesn't get out much, so I was happy to have a ride on that bike today. That bike is more fitted for sitting up in traffic, and my bike skills are a little stronger on that bike.
I had a huge mental low yesterday, the whole Worlds thing was really eating at me. Some days are better than others. Right now, it bothers me, but I'm not dwelling. Yesterday, I dwelled. I need to get over that. An email to JM and to Dr T were fired off. JM's email was the best thing I could have heard from anyone. He basically told me to accept it, but not in a blunt accept-or-die type of way. I owe him a huge virtual hug type of email.
As I'm reviewing my nutrition plans, this PB diet keeps coming up. I've been reading about the Paleo one for months and now I've found the PB. Not so much a diet, more of a lifestyle. Hopefully not a fad, though. No grains (!) is the basic idea. I don't have my hands on the book, but the MDA website is a big resource. For the most part, it makes sense, but while at the grocery store today I had very few ideas on what to buy--all of my usuals are grain based! Not that I'm going to go 100% on this, but I'd like to try new food ideas and incorporate some of the thoughts of PB. I've asked myself, do I have highs and lows from eating carbs? I have energy crashes after breakfast and lunch, I'm sluggish in the afternoon, and I'm rarely satisfied after dinner. So I'd like to try something to see if I can fix it. Today I bought squashes, nuts, coconut flakes, almond meal, cashew butter--all food I normally wouldn't buy. But I need more ideas, hence more research. I can also imagine family dinners being awkward, turning away bread and grains after eating so much of them previously.
One final bit of news that is worth mentioning, I've learned that I'm nominated for Prez-E in the club. Say what? Me? I'm mentioning it so I can keep track of the thoughts around it, and look back in a few month or year and ask myself why I thought it was a good or bad idea. I'm terribly interested in seeing the club succeed and would like to be involved in its growth. The Prez position is a 3 year term, so I would be involved! But, I'm not much of a leader as I tend to decide by consensus, I'm not much of a negotiator as I tend to try to make everyone happy, and I'm not sure I want to make big decisions. I'm more of a do-er, not a leader. Also, I'm already over involved with the newsletter, group events, FBR, and secretary position. I wouldn't think it a good idea to have so many eggs in one basketcase. But the elections are coming right up, I need to decide!!!
The Bird doesn't get out much, so I was happy to have a ride on that bike today. That bike is more fitted for sitting up in traffic, and my bike skills are a little stronger on that bike.
I had a huge mental low yesterday, the whole Worlds thing was really eating at me. Some days are better than others. Right now, it bothers me, but I'm not dwelling. Yesterday, I dwelled. I need to get over that. An email to JM and to Dr T were fired off. JM's email was the best thing I could have heard from anyone. He basically told me to accept it, but not in a blunt accept-or-die type of way. I owe him a huge virtual hug type of email.
As I'm reviewing my nutrition plans, this PB diet keeps coming up. I've been reading about the Paleo one for months and now I've found the PB. Not so much a diet, more of a lifestyle. Hopefully not a fad, though. No grains (!) is the basic idea. I don't have my hands on the book, but the MDA website is a big resource. For the most part, it makes sense, but while at the grocery store today I had very few ideas on what to buy--all of my usuals are grain based! Not that I'm going to go 100% on this, but I'd like to try new food ideas and incorporate some of the thoughts of PB. I've asked myself, do I have highs and lows from eating carbs? I have energy crashes after breakfast and lunch, I'm sluggish in the afternoon, and I'm rarely satisfied after dinner. So I'd like to try something to see if I can fix it. Today I bought squashes, nuts, coconut flakes, almond meal, cashew butter--all food I normally wouldn't buy. But I need more ideas, hence more research. I can also imagine family dinners being awkward, turning away bread and grains after eating so much of them previously.
One final bit of news that is worth mentioning, I've learned that I'm nominated for Prez-E in the club. Say what? Me? I'm mentioning it so I can keep track of the thoughts around it, and look back in a few month or year and ask myself why I thought it was a good or bad idea. I'm terribly interested in seeing the club succeed and would like to be involved in its growth. The Prez position is a 3 year term, so I would be involved! But, I'm not much of a leader as I tend to decide by consensus, I'm not much of a negotiator as I tend to try to make everyone happy, and I'm not sure I want to make big decisions. I'm more of a do-er, not a leader. Also, I'm already over involved with the newsletter, group events, FBR, and secretary position. I wouldn't think it a good idea to have so many eggs in one basketcase. But the elections are coming right up, I need to decide!!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wet in or out of the pool today
SWIM 1000y 30 mins (yesterday pm)
RUN 6.5 60 mins (today)
First the swim. I went back to the Y after work. I was rewarded by having what might have been my best swim in months if not all year. I finally felt the propulsion on both sides, lost some of that fishtail, and passed other people swimming with me. The distance and time are still slow (usually can do 1000y in 20mins if steady) because I still paused at each lap to refocus and pick another drill to work on. I keep waiting for my lats to hurt, another sign that I've remedied some form problems.
The run was 52F and raining. My new Sauc's are wet, but at least they're clean. Mark this as the first run this fall in longer pants (knickers)!
RUN 6.5 60 mins (today)
First the swim. I went back to the Y after work. I was rewarded by having what might have been my best swim in months if not all year. I finally felt the propulsion on both sides, lost some of that fishtail, and passed other people swimming with me. The distance and time are still slow (usually can do 1000y in 20mins if steady) because I still paused at each lap to refocus and pick another drill to work on. I keep waiting for my lats to hurt, another sign that I've remedied some form problems.
The run was 52F and raining. My new Sauc's are wet, but at least they're clean. Mark this as the first run this fall in longer pants (knickers)!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Focus on the swim
SWIM lesson 250-ish yards hahaha
I'm not really going to count that am I? The plan is to swim again this afternoon and reinforce what we worked on this morning. The good: my body is riding higher in the water. The bad: I'll probably need a season pass for swim instruction! The goals: work on hands entering the water earlier to avoid crossing my centerline in front of my head; focus on the left side, wait a moment for the weight to shift before catching the water; focus on the body weight shifting, not so much on the act of rotating but on where the weight is; more focus on the left arm as it exits the water, don't sweep it back so far past the hips. That last point might help with my bilateral breathing problem.
Patience! One of my focus words. Patience will be needed here because these changes won't happen overnight and I'll need to work at them with more frequency and positive attitude. While working this morning, I could feel the differences, I could feel more propulsion in the water. Remember, these differences will need time and patience, so don't expect to Phelpsing next week!
I'm not really going to count that am I? The plan is to swim again this afternoon and reinforce what we worked on this morning. The good: my body is riding higher in the water. The bad: I'll probably need a season pass for swim instruction! The goals: work on hands entering the water earlier to avoid crossing my centerline in front of my head; focus on the left side, wait a moment for the weight to shift before catching the water; focus on the body weight shifting, not so much on the act of rotating but on where the weight is; more focus on the left arm as it exits the water, don't sweep it back so far past the hips. That last point might help with my bilateral breathing problem.
Patience! One of my focus words. Patience will be needed here because these changes won't happen overnight and I'll need to work at them with more frequency and positive attitude. While working this morning, I could feel the differences, I could feel more propulsion in the water. Remember, these differences will need time and patience, so don't expect to Phelpsing next week!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Mental Game begins
RUN 7 miles 1:03 9:17-ish pace BRR group run
I'm full of energy lately. So full in fact I feel like I could burst at times. Legs bounce, brain buzzes along, mouth rambles. Other times I hit a low of focus and energy that leaves me thinking I need another month or two of rest. I cycle between the two states, but a pattern is emerging. I feel like I could run forever after a training session, even a bad one. Normal for me is an hour on the run or swim drills, my body and mind have come to expect it. Whether it's the adrenaline rush, the obsessive compulsive satisfaction, or the fresh air I can't say. This paragraph will be fun to read next summer when I'm out of energy, hate my bike, and have pool water permanently lodged in my ears.
I've heard that nutrition is the 4th segment of an Ironman. I nominate the mental game to be the fifth. The past month has seen serious changes in perspective. And I'm not talking about a long run going from 12 miles to 20, I mean in attitude and outlook. At first I saw Redman as a fail, a morning of suckage. Then I was reminded (by a IM BB no less) that it was just a bad day. At first I was embarassed, then surprised to see that no one viewed me any differently. At first I thought my Worlds qualification was a lucky break, and well, I still think that. I still feel like I got away with stealing, and that I didn't earn the slot. But I'm realizing that a qualification is a qualification, regardless of how I thought my day went. I need to learn to just accept the congratulations I'm getting, and not override them with excuses and such. Just accept it! It's Team USA dammit!
I signed up for 20K of trails in Castlewood. The plan is to just enjoy it and use it as a long run. I might also do the track club 13.1, again just to enjoy it. While I joke with myself about a 13.1 PR (I still haven't broken 1:57) the reality is that I need a few races in which I don't exact pressure on myself. This is another attitude shift, one I'm starting to learn from BN, that not every race has to be a PR-breaking winner of a race. Since I do so few races I tend to put too much emphasis on each one. Maybe I'll look into a few more 5K/10K type races this winter as a way to keep moving and keep learning.
I'm full of energy lately. So full in fact I feel like I could burst at times. Legs bounce, brain buzzes along, mouth rambles. Other times I hit a low of focus and energy that leaves me thinking I need another month or two of rest. I cycle between the two states, but a pattern is emerging. I feel like I could run forever after a training session, even a bad one. Normal for me is an hour on the run or swim drills, my body and mind have come to expect it. Whether it's the adrenaline rush, the obsessive compulsive satisfaction, or the fresh air I can't say. This paragraph will be fun to read next summer when I'm out of energy, hate my bike, and have pool water permanently lodged in my ears.
I've heard that nutrition is the 4th segment of an Ironman. I nominate the mental game to be the fifth. The past month has seen serious changes in perspective. And I'm not talking about a long run going from 12 miles to 20, I mean in attitude and outlook. At first I saw Redman as a fail, a morning of suckage. Then I was reminded (by a IM BB no less) that it was just a bad day. At first I was embarassed, then surprised to see that no one viewed me any differently. At first I thought my Worlds qualification was a lucky break, and well, I still think that. I still feel like I got away with stealing, and that I didn't earn the slot. But I'm realizing that a qualification is a qualification, regardless of how I thought my day went. I need to learn to just accept the congratulations I'm getting, and not override them with excuses and such. Just accept it! It's Team USA dammit!
I signed up for 20K of trails in Castlewood. The plan is to just enjoy it and use it as a long run. I might also do the track club 13.1, again just to enjoy it. While I joke with myself about a 13.1 PR (I still haven't broken 1:57) the reality is that I need a few races in which I don't exact pressure on myself. This is another attitude shift, one I'm starting to learn from BN, that not every race has to be a PR-breaking winner of a race. Since I do so few races I tend to put too much emphasis on each one. Maybe I'll look into a few more 5K/10K type races this winter as a way to keep moving and keep learning.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
OMG! But I SUCKED!!
Well here was a shocker when I opened the email this morning:
I'm excited and just as surprised. When I registered to hold the slot, the form asked for expected finish time. Well, let's see, I've finished 3 70.3 races. Sept 2008 in 5:59. July 2009 in 5:27. Sept 2009 6:07. Should I take an average? I just typed in my favorite number, 5:38. Hopefully I can beat that, maybe my other favorite number 5:23 :-)
This after an awful swim yesterday. I managed 30 minutes and 1000y before quitting. It just feels all wrong. Then today I did nothing training-wise. Tomorrow I plan to run. I know I need the down time, but I'm anxious to start training for all these great races!
So I just had my celebratory spoonful of peanut butter and honey. I read the email on the 3rd of my birthday month. And it's a full moon tonight! All the omens going my way, 2010 is gonna rock!
Here I had this awful race that I completely screwed up, and now I'm invited to Team USA (OMG!). What an awesome Tshirt that is going to be. Oh, and a jacket, and a hat, and a finisher's medal, and... LOL. I don't even know if I'm going, I'm just excited to think I could.Congratulations! You are being contacted because you have earned a spot on Team USA for the 2010 Long Course Triathlon World Championships because of your outstanding performance at the 2009 USAT Long Course Half Max National Championship. The 2010 World Championships are set to take place July 31-August 1, 2010 in Immenstadt, Germany.
I'm excited and just as surprised. When I registered to hold the slot, the form asked for expected finish time. Well, let's see, I've finished 3 70.3 races. Sept 2008 in 5:59. July 2009 in 5:27. Sept 2009 6:07. Should I take an average? I just typed in my favorite number, 5:38. Hopefully I can beat that, maybe my other favorite number 5:23 :-)
This after an awful swim yesterday. I managed 30 minutes and 1000y before quitting. It just feels all wrong. Then today I did nothing training-wise. Tomorrow I plan to run. I know I need the down time, but I'm anxious to start training for all these great races!
So I just had my celebratory spoonful of peanut butter and honey. I read the email on the 3rd of my birthday month. And it's a full moon tonight! All the omens going my way, 2010 is gonna rock!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A good long run to clear the brain
RUN 1hr 38 mins 10.8 miles
The distance is a guess, I wasn't Garmined. The first loop 6.5 miles was 56 mins (8:36 pace) and felt great although it felt more like a race pace or tempo run, especially at the end. The second loop was 4.3 miles in 42 mins (9:46 pace) and was a struggle. I didn't bring fuel for a long run, so while I would have loved to continue the whole park I could feel the dehydration and lack of fuel. Should have remembered that gel I keep in the truck.
What is notable is that on the mornings I do run, I feel so much better than on the mornings I don't. My mind is crisp, fast, and alert after a run. The manuscript is easier to write, my focus stays on topic, and I get things done faster. This isn't a surprise, more of an affirmation to continue training at least a little bit for the next few weeks!
I came across a short blog today for a local woman who, if I read it correctly, ran 7o+ miles in her rest week!!! That would take me 11-some hours to do, assuming I could maintain a 9:00 pace. OK, granted, I can SBR for 11+ hours/week all summer, but at least I get some variety! And I guess I should keep in mind that she's not running 9's, probably 7-8's. So maybe only 9 hours of running for her. Only 9 hours...
The distance is a guess, I wasn't Garmined. The first loop 6.5 miles was 56 mins (8:36 pace) and felt great although it felt more like a race pace or tempo run, especially at the end. The second loop was 4.3 miles in 42 mins (9:46 pace) and was a struggle. I didn't bring fuel for a long run, so while I would have loved to continue the whole park I could feel the dehydration and lack of fuel. Should have remembered that gel I keep in the truck.
What is notable is that on the mornings I do run, I feel so much better than on the mornings I don't. My mind is crisp, fast, and alert after a run. The manuscript is easier to write, my focus stays on topic, and I get things done faster. This isn't a surprise, more of an affirmation to continue training at least a little bit for the next few weeks!
I came across a short blog today for a local woman who, if I read it correctly, ran 7o+ miles in her rest week!!! That would take me 11-some hours to do, assuming I could maintain a 9:00 pace. OK, granted, I can SBR for 11+ hours/week all summer, but at least I get some variety! And I guess I should keep in mind that she's not running 9's, probably 7-8's. So maybe only 9 hours of running for her. Only 9 hours...
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