We're already well into April, but somehow writing and reflecting a bit on March still seems pertinent at this point in the game. When Beth sent me a Google doc at the beginning of the month with the 16-week build-up to Couer d'Alene, things suddenly felt that they were going to get more serious. With the exception of running, I had been pretty happy with February's training, and the schedule did not overwhelm me. March felt like a different beast, and I know that April and May will bring on even longer and more challenging workouts. But, it was great to return to running in March, and I ended the month with a double digit run and weekly averages over 20 miles - WOO HOO! I still played it cautiously, however, not incorporating speedwork or hills and taking it pretty slow and steady (plodding along, really). In terms of swimming, I've yet to see major gains in speed, but hitting 3,000 yard workouts seems normal at this point, so at least I'm more comfortable with longer distances in the pool. I think about my training for Boulder 70.3 and Vineman 70.3, and I was pretty happy when I swam over 2,000 yards. So, yes, there is major progress there!
The bike has turned into my bete noire in recent weeks, but I blame that entirely on the less-than-inspired rides that I've had. At the beginning of the month, I loved cycling and wanted to do more! No doubt, 3 events over 3 different weekends built up that enthusiasm - between the Desert Tri, the Solvang Metric Century, and Malibu Canyon Half-Century (plus 10), I had bolstered my cycling confidence and really enjoyed, plus I learned from, each experience. However, since those rides, my enthusiasm has waned a bit, and many rides have felt tough both mentally and physically. And I've slow - like I am just slogging through the rides - which gives way to thoughts of not being able to finish the bike course on June 29. I know that where I ride influences my attitude about cycling, and I like that there are routes right out my front door that challenge me and that are pretty great, but I've also fallen into a rut with some of those rides.
Despite some negativity on my part regarding cycling, I ended March with a pretty big training block, taking advantage of spring break and rounding out that week with over 15 hours, most of that on the bike! For many people, a 15-hour training week wouldn't be a big deal, but I was plenty tired by the time it came to a close. And never before had I looked forward to a recovery week with such anticipation! As I trained over spring break, I also realized that I had made a very, VERY good choice to not spend my entire summer training. Being a teacher, summer is a great opportunity to train, but it kind of made me crazy to think that much about training. I think that I could/would quickly obsess about it without the structure that work gives me and without having other commitments that really are/should be my priority.
But this past week (no longer March, I realize) - the much-anticipated recovery week. To my frustration, while last week was definitely a lighter week training-wise, there was plenty of life-stress from school/work... Lots of meetings, and then I spent the weekend as a chaperone which was exhausting (and, no, I don't mean part of the weekend but THE weekend, pretty much). So, I don't feel as focused as I had hoped that I would be as I start this next major training block. But, with Wildflower right around the corner (okay, still about 4 weeks out - that still seems like it's almost here!), I am looking forward to some longer rides and runs.
And, finally, Wildflower... When I was there last year, the water levels in "Lake" San Antonio were pretty low, and then California endured a dry summer and a dry fall and then the rains did not come in the winter months. I signed up not really acknowledging the fact that the CA drought could very well play a role here, and I thought about it periodically, but did not spend much time dwelling on the swim portion of this race. Until a few weeks ago when I received an email about a course change - instead of swim/bike/run it is going to be swim/run/bike/run. It should be interesting!
In the meantime, I'll keep training and will, fingers crossed, keep injury at bay!
Showing posts with label active lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label active lifestyle. Show all posts
Monday, April 7, 2014
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Training with a focus?
Although we are still in 2013, my thoughts have already started to turn to 2014. It's natural, I think, as a teacher to do this, after all, it is the 2013-2014 school year and so much of what I'm doing now, I hope, will lay the groundwork for students in 2014 - the second semester. The same can be said for the swim-bike-run thing. It's still 2013, but I've made plans for 2014!
After Vineman, I planned to relax and not follow any sort of a training plan, and I did just that! I did not try out new classes or do anything new and different, but I also managed to stay somewhat active, even during the heat of September (which is now a distant memory, especially today, which is grey, rainy and quite cold for southern CA). I chose, somewhat arbitrarily, November as the "get in gear" month. Shocking myself, I managed to focus a bit more and put in more yards and miles for the month. But I wanted to put some pressure on myself so that I wouldn't hit December 1st feeling that I would have to undertake a 180 degree turn regarding my 'training'. Because I am officially training for 2014!
And WOW is it different!
First of all, I should say that I've always taken a flexible attitude towards training and "racing". I consider myself fortunate to have finally found something that really clicked. For a while, Michael would joke with me about finding a hobby, a bit like the character Winston in Avenue Q who was looking for a purpose to his post-college life. I wasn't in the life after college phase, but I was still trying to find that other piece. Trying to add the swim and bike to the run challenged me in a different way, and I loved that! Plus, working towards definitive goals - yes, please!
And I've trained somewhat seriously at times, but I've also taken the view that this really is a hobby, something that adds to my life and I shouldn't be too serious about it. I still agree with that attitude because, as a middle-aged mid-pack age grouper, I don't foresee any podium wins in my future, unless there's a small field (which does happen at times!).
However, I also decided that I'd like to approach things with a somewhat more serious attitude - and greater focus, just to see. Out of curiosity, perhaps? So, I started to attend more group runs and rides and realized that I had a LOT to learn! Ditto for masters swimming, where I stay in the slowest lane, although I've happily become a wee bit faster and I push myself a bit more each time (okay, almost every time). The other major decision was to actually work with a coach. A part of me is still rolling my eyes at myself and I think "What's going on here?!" but then another part of me feels quite excited about this process. I contacted a few people and ended up connecting with someone who is not local but is in Southern CA and seems like a good fit for me. To be honest, I've never worked with anyone, so I can't say that I know what I'm doing here.
And we'll see how this process goes. I'm set up on TrainingPeaks which makes me feel like a "real" athlete as I can track myself and my data with a bit more accuracy than I'm used to - quite a difference from jotting down workouts and tallying totals for the end of the week in a date book (yes, I'm old school and still use a gradebook). This past week was the first week that she gave me my workouts, and it hasn't been crazy hard or difficult. After all, I'm just supposed to be building up my base, not doing anything too crazy.
But what HAS challenged me this week with the workouts is the fact that I am not the one choosing what to do for the day. It's both a positive and negative. Positive, because I don't have to think about it, I see what the workout is and I try to complete it and usually do. I shouldn't use the term "negative" when reviewing the first week of working with a coach, but it has been different. First of all, I feel quite responsible to report to my coach and to try my best at these workouts. And I suppose that latter point is what I find so challenging. I don't think that I half-assed my workouts in the past, but I often used the time in the pool, in the saddle, or pounding the pavement or trails as a time to lose myself in thoughts, let my mind wander and to relax. I now find that I cannot or should not let my thoughts wander. Today, I ran 10 hill repeats, or so I thought. I found out that I actually only ran 9 because I didn't keep track! It's not a huge issue, but it highlights the need for me to focus! Also, running by heart rate rather than running by feel or by garmin is a completely new experience. I am not opposed to new experiences, but it seems that I am a bit set in my ways and I find it very difficult to be so aware of my body when I run. Or aware in a different sense - paying attention to a device that tells me what is going on with my body. It feels so foreign to me!
It's early days yet, but it's already been a new experience, and I feel a bit like an old nag who is being told to run a different way. I suppose that it's also like eating spinach as a kid - it will be good for me in the long run. And by that, I don't know if I'll suddenly get faster or develop amazing endurance, but the awareness and the focus challenge me and force me to approach running (and biking, somewhat at this point) with a different view.
Finally, I definitely would NOT have set out for a run this morning without that external motivation. It was a bit wet and rather cold, and my bed was nice and warm and inviting, but a run was on the schedule, so run I did! Begrudgingly, at first, but then I found my pace, warmed up, did my hills - or most of them - and felt quite accomplished for the rest of the day.
And if this translates into a faster or better race, then I'll take it! And even if it doesn't, I think that I will learn from the experience.
After Vineman, I planned to relax and not follow any sort of a training plan, and I did just that! I did not try out new classes or do anything new and different, but I also managed to stay somewhat active, even during the heat of September (which is now a distant memory, especially today, which is grey, rainy and quite cold for southern CA). I chose, somewhat arbitrarily, November as the "get in gear" month. Shocking myself, I managed to focus a bit more and put in more yards and miles for the month. But I wanted to put some pressure on myself so that I wouldn't hit December 1st feeling that I would have to undertake a 180 degree turn regarding my 'training'. Because I am officially training for 2014!
And WOW is it different!
First of all, I should say that I've always taken a flexible attitude towards training and "racing". I consider myself fortunate to have finally found something that really clicked. For a while, Michael would joke with me about finding a hobby, a bit like the character Winston in Avenue Q who was looking for a purpose to his post-college life. I wasn't in the life after college phase, but I was still trying to find that other piece. Trying to add the swim and bike to the run challenged me in a different way, and I loved that! Plus, working towards definitive goals - yes, please!
And I've trained somewhat seriously at times, but I've also taken the view that this really is a hobby, something that adds to my life and I shouldn't be too serious about it. I still agree with that attitude because, as a middle-aged mid-pack age grouper, I don't foresee any podium wins in my future, unless there's a small field (which does happen at times!).
However, I also decided that I'd like to approach things with a somewhat more serious attitude - and greater focus, just to see. Out of curiosity, perhaps? So, I started to attend more group runs and rides and realized that I had a LOT to learn! Ditto for masters swimming, where I stay in the slowest lane, although I've happily become a wee bit faster and I push myself a bit more each time (okay, almost every time). The other major decision was to actually work with a coach. A part of me is still rolling my eyes at myself and I think "What's going on here?!" but then another part of me feels quite excited about this process. I contacted a few people and ended up connecting with someone who is not local but is in Southern CA and seems like a good fit for me. To be honest, I've never worked with anyone, so I can't say that I know what I'm doing here.
And we'll see how this process goes. I'm set up on TrainingPeaks which makes me feel like a "real" athlete as I can track myself and my data with a bit more accuracy than I'm used to - quite a difference from jotting down workouts and tallying totals for the end of the week in a date book (yes, I'm old school and still use a gradebook). This past week was the first week that she gave me my workouts, and it hasn't been crazy hard or difficult. After all, I'm just supposed to be building up my base, not doing anything too crazy.
But what HAS challenged me this week with the workouts is the fact that I am not the one choosing what to do for the day. It's both a positive and negative. Positive, because I don't have to think about it, I see what the workout is and I try to complete it and usually do. I shouldn't use the term "negative" when reviewing the first week of working with a coach, but it has been different. First of all, I feel quite responsible to report to my coach and to try my best at these workouts. And I suppose that latter point is what I find so challenging. I don't think that I half-assed my workouts in the past, but I often used the time in the pool, in the saddle, or pounding the pavement or trails as a time to lose myself in thoughts, let my mind wander and to relax. I now find that I cannot or should not let my thoughts wander. Today, I ran 10 hill repeats, or so I thought. I found out that I actually only ran 9 because I didn't keep track! It's not a huge issue, but it highlights the need for me to focus! Also, running by heart rate rather than running by feel or by garmin is a completely new experience. I am not opposed to new experiences, but it seems that I am a bit set in my ways and I find it very difficult to be so aware of my body when I run. Or aware in a different sense - paying attention to a device that tells me what is going on with my body. It feels so foreign to me!
It's early days yet, but it's already been a new experience, and I feel a bit like an old nag who is being told to run a different way. I suppose that it's also like eating spinach as a kid - it will be good for me in the long run. And by that, I don't know if I'll suddenly get faster or develop amazing endurance, but the awareness and the focus challenge me and force me to approach running (and biking, somewhat at this point) with a different view.
Finally, I definitely would NOT have set out for a run this morning without that external motivation. It was a bit wet and rather cold, and my bed was nice and warm and inviting, but a run was on the schedule, so run I did! Begrudgingly, at first, but then I found my pace, warmed up, did my hills - or most of them - and felt quite accomplished for the rest of the day.
And if this translates into a faster or better race, then I'll take it! And even if it doesn't, I think that I will learn from the experience.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Conversations with my body
I'm not sure if other people "talk" to their body. I hear/read about the importance of listening to your body, but most of my conversations tend to be pretty one-sided. In fact, my gut reaction to the whole listen-to-your-body ethos is to roll my eyes. Personally, I tend to talk, and I expect my body to listen. This has probably been the case for a while, although the conversation has changed over the years (my adolescent conversations bemoaned typical adolescent themes, which I won't go into here).
As I've entered the almost-middle age period and try to maintain an active lifestyle, most of the conversations are bargains that I make. They follow these lines: "Okay, just get through this training cycle and then you'll get a nice break!" or "I promise that I'll go to the chiropractor AND get a deep-tissue massage, so don't be angry with me!" or "Don't get a cold now, wait until it's more convenient, please!" or the biggie "Just get through one more month and then I'll go to the knee doc and get a cortisone shot". So, yes, I wheedle, plead, cajole, and make deals so that my body stays functional. Usually I follow up on the deals in one way or another, and it does seem that I have a nice team of people that keep me going.
I think, however, that 2012 has been a pretty high-intensity year for my 40-year-old body, and it's performed for me - with the exception of bonking on the 30K trail race, but that was a mental problem as much as it was physical. At some point, I had promised myself to take a nice long break from running after the trail race, and I did take a week off before testing out my legs this past week. The two runs went well - they felt slow but weren't terrible. However, the aftermath of each run was not exactly pretty. On Monday night, after a 5.5 mile run, my hip and back started hurting. Hmmm.... So, I took a few days between and then went on a short run on Friday. Again, I hammered out the miles without a big deal, but then the same weird hip/back pain flared up afterwards.
So, Friday night, I promised myself that I would get to the chiropractor within the next week and try to see what was going on, but I wasn't overly concerned.
That was until yesterday morning, when I woke up and could barely walk because of a stabbing pain in my right heel on the bottom of my foot. What was this?! Pain that continued throughout the day and allowed me to walk, but with a hobbled gait. After checking out my symptoms on the interweb (always trustworthy), I self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis, a common yet, from what I gathered, fairly debilitating condition. I know several people who deal/have dealt with it, and I'm aware that it is no light matter. Maybe it's something else, but I'm about as sure as I've been about any self-diagnosis thanks to internet information.
So, fine, I'm officially "listening" to my body. Yes, I'll take a break from running, and I'll pay much closer attention to stretching and icing, and I have an appointment for Monday afternoon to deal with my body in general (hips, knee, ITband, foot issues). I had already planned to spend more time in the pool this month, so this gives me a good push to do so.
Taking a longer-than-planned break from running does not make me a happy camper, but I'll take it if I can run pain-free in the long term!
And, yes, it seems that I'm finally listening to my body.
As I've entered the almost-middle age period and try to maintain an active lifestyle, most of the conversations are bargains that I make. They follow these lines: "Okay, just get through this training cycle and then you'll get a nice break!" or "I promise that I'll go to the chiropractor AND get a deep-tissue massage, so don't be angry with me!" or "Don't get a cold now, wait until it's more convenient, please!" or the biggie "Just get through one more month and then I'll go to the knee doc and get a cortisone shot". So, yes, I wheedle, plead, cajole, and make deals so that my body stays functional. Usually I follow up on the deals in one way or another, and it does seem that I have a nice team of people that keep me going.
I think, however, that 2012 has been a pretty high-intensity year for my 40-year-old body, and it's performed for me - with the exception of bonking on the 30K trail race, but that was a mental problem as much as it was physical. At some point, I had promised myself to take a nice long break from running after the trail race, and I did take a week off before testing out my legs this past week. The two runs went well - they felt slow but weren't terrible. However, the aftermath of each run was not exactly pretty. On Monday night, after a 5.5 mile run, my hip and back started hurting. Hmmm.... So, I took a few days between and then went on a short run on Friday. Again, I hammered out the miles without a big deal, but then the same weird hip/back pain flared up afterwards.
So, Friday night, I promised myself that I would get to the chiropractor within the next week and try to see what was going on, but I wasn't overly concerned.
That was until yesterday morning, when I woke up and could barely walk because of a stabbing pain in my right heel on the bottom of my foot. What was this?! Pain that continued throughout the day and allowed me to walk, but with a hobbled gait. After checking out my symptoms on the interweb (always trustworthy), I self-diagnosed plantar fasciitis, a common yet, from what I gathered, fairly debilitating condition. I know several people who deal/have dealt with it, and I'm aware that it is no light matter. Maybe it's something else, but I'm about as sure as I've been about any self-diagnosis thanks to internet information.
So, fine, I'm officially "listening" to my body. Yes, I'll take a break from running, and I'll pay much closer attention to stretching and icing, and I have an appointment for Monday afternoon to deal with my body in general (hips, knee, ITband, foot issues). I had already planned to spend more time in the pool this month, so this gives me a good push to do so.
Taking a longer-than-planned break from running does not make me a happy camper, but I'll take it if I can run pain-free in the long term!
And, yes, it seems that I'm finally listening to my body.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)