I knew this would happen eventually and I'm only shocked that it took this long.
I have a cold.
I feel yucky.
I have zero energy.
BLAH!
We've had a tough couple of days with workouts. Sunday we ran 20 miles. It was hellish to say the least. I don't know why, but I felt like someone had taken my hamstrings and tied them in knots. It was really frustrating because mentally I wasn't in the run at all. I had more moments of lows than highs. I doubted myself a lot and it was really annoying. And my running has gotten so slow. We only averaged 9:53's for the run. Funny that in April I did a 20 miler and averaged 8:44's. I'm looking forward to concentrating on my speed in the off season and get back into the sub 9's. I know it'll just take a little work and I'll be right back where I want to be!
Yesterday we set out for 100 on the bike. Again, my mind just wasn't right. It was chilly, and windy, and the last place I wanted to be was on the bike. I mustered my way through 79 miles and called it a day. I was spent, but happy that I had made it 79 miles further than I originally wanted to when I started out! Take that little person who sits in my brain and tells me I'm weak!
The past two days I felt like I was being put through the ringer. At this time in training, I should be able to get through both workouts without too many problems. Why was I struggling so much? I hate making excuses, but of course this morning I woke up with a sore throat and now I'm just drained. I'm sniffling, I'm sneezing, my head hurts. Maybe, just maybe, that has something to do with the total lethargy that I'm fighting (a girl can hope right???) Oh and I got a flu shot this morning so I feel like I want to rip my arm off.
Lovely site huh?
I don't know what it is about my second Ironman. The training has been so tough. I'm super excited about going to PCB and racing, but some days I feel like my heart just isn't 100% there. I want it to be, I talk to myself all the time about how it's going to be much harder if I don't get there mentally before race day, I visualize myself having a great day. But I've already decided that next year I don't want to do an Ironman. I feel like some days the Ironman defines me and I don't want that to be the case. I'm a triathlete, but that's not all I am. The Ironman (well really the training) is such a daunting task and it seems like it's really taken a toll on me mentally and physically so much more than it did last year. I think the break for me next year will do a girl some good. Can I get an Amen? Plus I'm super excited to become better in all three disciplines.
When the going gets tough (which it seems to be lately) I refer to a card that my wonderful friends gave me at the beginning of my training that says:
"Behind every success is effort...
Behind every effort is passion...
Behind every passion is someone with the courage to try."
I think that'll get me through the next month. And I know I'll be fine. And I know I'll have fun. I'm not a quitter or a wuss. It really does take courage some days...
I just hope this cold doesn't linger (and I secretly hope that's why I've struggled so much lately)
8 comments:
Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many people call you and it's not about who you've dated, are dating, or haven't dated at all. It isn't about who you've kissed, what sport you play, or which girl or guy likes you. It's not about your shoes or your hair or the color of your skin or where you live or go to school. In fact, it's not about grades, money, clothes, or colleges that accept you. Life isn't about if you have lots of friends, or if you are alone, and it's not about how accepted or unaccepted you are. Life just isn't about that. But life is about who you love and who you hurt. It's about how you feel about yourself. It's about trust, happiness, and compassion. It's about sticking up for your friends and replacing inner hate with love. Life is about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance, and building confidence. It's about what you say and what you mean. It's about seeing people for who they are and not what they have. Most of all, it's about choosing to use your life to touch someone else's in a way that could never have been achieved otherwise. These choices are what life's about.
--Another Nike ad from the 1990s.
xoxo
Carolyn
you know what, you got through that run. you FINISHED it. no matter the pace, you DID it. i'm really diggin carolyn's comment. kinda makes me want to cry - in a good way.
hang in there my friend. no one wins training days - it's the race that matters :)
Keep your chin up. These tough days will make all the difference in the world on race day. You'll be able to dig deep and remember the effort and pain that went into the training and you mind will tell you you're not done until you see that finish line. You'll be just fine.... There's a VERY small percentage of the population that will even attempt to SIGN UP for an ironman, let alone train for, race, and finish one.
That NIKE ad is great, you should laminate it and tape it to your rack in transition!!
Sending you hugs. You are my hero. I can't say it enough. I envy your strength and courage and perserverance.
AMEN. Oh, sorry..I was stuck on the taking a break next year! :) LOL I hope you feel better soon!!!!
Hope you feel better!!!! You're going to have a great race, I just know it. :) And yes, you totally deserve a break. I took a year off from marathoning (just did halves) and I think it was the best thing I could have done. :) (of course, Sunday is the real test!)
It will pass... and I hope fast!! Hate how it never comes at a good time and always freaks us out.
Rest
Recover
Relentless Forward Motion
I hope you feel better soon! :)
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