Swim
1 x 200- warm-up
5 x 100- IM
5 x 50- sideline kick
1 x 500- odd/even hard/easy
1 x 100- cool down
I'm obsessed with the Olympics. I get home, get my workout in, and then park it on the couch for all the swimming, diving, beach volleyball, gymnastics, skeet shooting, whatever else I can possibly handle. I love the Games. I love the drama. One of my favorite things in the whole world is a champion crying on the medal stand as s/he listens to the National Anthem. This is also the only time I don't mind the incessant playing of the National Anthem. The tears after the women's gymnastics team waited for their final scores were so sweet.
Though I hate it when they shove a camera in the face of the fallen. When the male gymnasts struggled so badly I felt bad enough. And then they go and get right in the guy's grill? Back off. He just had four years of work washed away by one stumble. Give him a minute.
Anyway, the Games mean I need to be doing more IMs. And, and I know I've said this before but this time this time I mean it, mixing up my strokes will make me a better triathlon swimmer. Butterfly wears me out and swimming tired is good. Forcing a strong proper stroke after a good IM set leads to better freestyle sets. Hence the IM set this morning. I plan on trying to put one in once a week.
My body feels soft and loose, a consequence of being lazy all summer. I know in a few workouts everything will start coming together again but right now it's hard to be patient. I've been through this cycle, I know the sucktasticness that is early in the rotation, but I don't have to like it. So I spend time kicking myself for letting it get this bad and then I spend time kicking myself for kicking myself for taking some well-deserved time off.
There is the North Shore Challenge this weekend, 2.4mi, but I'm not going to do it. I missed registration and it would cost $50. I'm not willing to drop that much on something I won't do well in, or well for my standards. It's a bummer I let myself miss half of the Swim Series, but I have good reasons. Now I'm looking for a race. Tradewinds is coming up too soon and I don't think I'll be doing Ko'Olina this year. Hmm....
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, September 1, 2011
"How" vs. "Why"
Swim Day (Taper)
1 x 150- Warm-up
1 x 300- 4:30
1 x 400- 6:00
1 x 500- 7:30
1 x 400- 6:00
1 x 250- cool down
Run Day (Fartlek)
time- 40min
Notes on today: Easy swim to rest and prepare for the Waikiki RoughWater on Monday. There was a little high school girl there sprinting 25s and 50s of breaststroke and keeping pace with my freestyle. I both respect and hate her.
The run started well. My fartlek sprints never felt fast but they felt ok for the most part. After 30 minutes I got wicked bad stomach cramps which first killed my pace, then forced me to walk for about five minutes, which led to stopping in the shade for a few minutes, then jogging slowly the rest of the way home. I wish I knew how to fix it.
On to the Main Thought of the Day
Today I read BikerNate's race report on the Leadville 100. This is a 100 mile foot race with a 25 hour time limit on trails in Colorado. This is for people who run to marathons, run the marathon, run home from the marathon, and then call it a "rest day". It's an inspiring read and I will wait while you click over and check it out.
...
Ok, back to me. When you and I read this the thoughts that went through our minds was probably different if you are not an endurance athlete, and probably similar if you are. If you aren't an endurance athlete you probably thought, "God, I could never do that. How can you do it?" If you are you might have though, "God, I could probably do that eventually, but why would I want to?"
See the difference?
For a while now in endurance sport, and for much longer in life in general, my mindset has been, "I could do that." It has to be. An athlete cannot think about not being able to do something. Not being able to accomplish a goal. I don't go in to my 2.3mi swims wondering if I can finish. And I'm not looking at my century ride hoping I can get it done. I know I can get it done. Speed is another issue, completely separate from the act. When I read Nate's Leadville report I was inspired, impressed, and completely unmotivated to go out and run for an entire day over hills on top of a mountain. No thanks, not for me. But I never thought, "Wow, man. I could never do that." Because I don't believe that. If I wanted to, I could train for it, I could figure it out, and I could push myself to that limit. But I don't want to, so there is no motivation. And this is not to take away from anyone's accomplishment. It isn't a, "Psh, aint so bad, I could do that," in the least. What he did was huge and I have nothing but respect for it. But I won't allow myself to think I couldn't do the same.
In my teacher-fancy, rose-colored world we can all accomplish whatever we set our minds to. I really believe that any person reading this blog, if you wanted to, could complete and Ironman. Any one of you. Yeah Mom, you too. You could figure out how to get through 2.3 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling, and a marathon. But you don't want to, and why would you? Its not fun for you. What's impressive about these extreme acts is the will it takes to train for and execute them. But once you commit to Doing It, all that's left is to Go.
Simplistic? Probably. Is there a ton more that goes into these events? Of course. But the mental aspect is, I think, the major hurdle in anything. Aside from naturally talented genetic freaks (Micheal Phelps, Usain Bolt, Jordan) everyone is playing at near the same capacity. We are, I think, a lot more equal than we tend to think. So why are some better than others? They decide to suffer more, sacrifice more, go greater.
Today I was talking with some other teachers about my century training rides and they were saying things like, "Wow, I could never do that," and I don't think that's true at all. Of course they could. A more true statement would be, "Why would you want to do that?" We all can, the difference is whether or not we do.
1 x 150- Warm-up
1 x 300- 4:30
1 x 400- 6:00
1 x 500- 7:30
1 x 400- 6:00
1 x 250- cool down
Run Day (Fartlek)
time- 40min
Notes on today: Easy swim to rest and prepare for the Waikiki RoughWater on Monday. There was a little high school girl there sprinting 25s and 50s of breaststroke and keeping pace with my freestyle. I both respect and hate her.
The run started well. My fartlek sprints never felt fast but they felt ok for the most part. After 30 minutes I got wicked bad stomach cramps which first killed my pace, then forced me to walk for about five minutes, which led to stopping in the shade for a few minutes, then jogging slowly the rest of the way home. I wish I knew how to fix it.
On to the Main Thought of the Day
Today I read BikerNate's race report on the Leadville 100. This is a 100 mile foot race with a 25 hour time limit on trails in Colorado. This is for people who run to marathons, run the marathon, run home from the marathon, and then call it a "rest day". It's an inspiring read and I will wait while you click over and check it out.
...
Ok, back to me. When you and I read this the thoughts that went through our minds was probably different if you are not an endurance athlete, and probably similar if you are. If you aren't an endurance athlete you probably thought, "God, I could never do that. How can you do it?" If you are you might have though, "God, I could probably do that eventually, but why would I want to?"
See the difference?
For a while now in endurance sport, and for much longer in life in general, my mindset has been, "I could do that." It has to be. An athlete cannot think about not being able to do something. Not being able to accomplish a goal. I don't go in to my 2.3mi swims wondering if I can finish. And I'm not looking at my century ride hoping I can get it done. I know I can get it done. Speed is another issue, completely separate from the act. When I read Nate's Leadville report I was inspired, impressed, and completely unmotivated to go out and run for an entire day over hills on top of a mountain. No thanks, not for me. But I never thought, "Wow, man. I could never do that." Because I don't believe that. If I wanted to, I could train for it, I could figure it out, and I could push myself to that limit. But I don't want to, so there is no motivation. And this is not to take away from anyone's accomplishment. It isn't a, "Psh, aint so bad, I could do that," in the least. What he did was huge and I have nothing but respect for it. But I won't allow myself to think I couldn't do the same.
In my teacher-fancy, rose-colored world we can all accomplish whatever we set our minds to. I really believe that any person reading this blog, if you wanted to, could complete and Ironman. Any one of you. Yeah Mom, you too. You could figure out how to get through 2.3 miles of swimming, 112 miles of cycling, and a marathon. But you don't want to, and why would you? Its not fun for you. What's impressive about these extreme acts is the will it takes to train for and execute them. But once you commit to Doing It, all that's left is to Go.
Simplistic? Probably. Is there a ton more that goes into these events? Of course. But the mental aspect is, I think, the major hurdle in anything. Aside from naturally talented genetic freaks (Micheal Phelps, Usain Bolt, Jordan) everyone is playing at near the same capacity. We are, I think, a lot more equal than we tend to think. So why are some better than others? They decide to suffer more, sacrifice more, go greater.
Today I was talking with some other teachers about my century training rides and they were saying things like, "Wow, I could never do that," and I don't think that's true at all. Of course they could. A more true statement would be, "Why would you want to do that?" We all can, the difference is whether or not we do.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Trust
Ride Day
distance- 10mi
My taper has nearly ended. Tomorrow I will jog for ten minutes to keep my legs loose. Then I will go in to town, drop off my bike, kiss it, get body marked, start to walk back to the truck, go check on Kratos one more time, then go home and relax.
At this point there is nothing I can physically do to be faster and stronger aside from conserving energy. It's kind of a hard week. I never worked out very hard and I found myself thinking, "Just a little harder. One more run can't hurt. I ate a little too much last night, I should go work some off." And I couldn't. Conserve, rest, wait, repeat.
What I can do, and what I've been trying to do, is build trust in my training. I spent 18 weeks working as hard as I've ever worked, including when I was swimming in high school and college. This has been a focused stretch of go go go recover go go go recover and I need to get it in my head that it all paid off.
Two weeks ago I was shredded, as thin as I've been in I don't know how long. Post weekend workout, when I was dehydrated and hungry, I was floating off the scale at 164. That's an artificial weight, I realize that, but it's still freaking low. By the time I was fed and hydrated again I was up three or four pounds. And right now I'm hanging out around 169. I think if I had controlled my snacking better I'd be lighter. And lighter is faster...to a point. But there is no danger of me developing an eating problem. My wife cooks too well.
I've had a few breakthrough workouts this training cycle. Some of my runs have felt incredible, and I've finished 40 miles rides feeling fresh and strong. My swims never really felt like they peaked, but I'm coming from a different place with that skill and I'm trying not to let that bother me. Out of the three, I know for sure that my stroke will come when I hit the water and get some clear space in front of me.
So now it's down to believing in what I've been doing on land. Knowing that all that effort has cumulated inside me and prepared me for Sunday. This should be a fun race. You can't beat swimming in our version of the Pacific and the odds of perfect weather are high. There will be over 2000 athletes there, from elite crazy people throwing down 1:59s to guys and gals straining for a 3:30. And I'll be in the middle of all of it, trying to have fun, trying to keep my game face on, trying to stay focused for 25 miles of riding and six miles of running. Trying to trust my training and really make it hurt because I know that even through it hurts, I've earned that hurt and I have its measure.
distance- 10mi
My taper has nearly ended. Tomorrow I will jog for ten minutes to keep my legs loose. Then I will go in to town, drop off my bike, kiss it, get body marked, start to walk back to the truck, go check on Kratos one more time, then go home and relax.
At this point there is nothing I can physically do to be faster and stronger aside from conserving energy. It's kind of a hard week. I never worked out very hard and I found myself thinking, "Just a little harder. One more run can't hurt. I ate a little too much last night, I should go work some off." And I couldn't. Conserve, rest, wait, repeat.
What I can do, and what I've been trying to do, is build trust in my training. I spent 18 weeks working as hard as I've ever worked, including when I was swimming in high school and college. This has been a focused stretch of go go go recover go go go recover and I need to get it in my head that it all paid off.
Two weeks ago I was shredded, as thin as I've been in I don't know how long. Post weekend workout, when I was dehydrated and hungry, I was floating off the scale at 164. That's an artificial weight, I realize that, but it's still freaking low. By the time I was fed and hydrated again I was up three or four pounds. And right now I'm hanging out around 169. I think if I had controlled my snacking better I'd be lighter. And lighter is faster...to a point. But there is no danger of me developing an eating problem. My wife cooks too well.
I've had a few breakthrough workouts this training cycle. Some of my runs have felt incredible, and I've finished 40 miles rides feeling fresh and strong. My swims never really felt like they peaked, but I'm coming from a different place with that skill and I'm trying not to let that bother me. Out of the three, I know for sure that my stroke will come when I hit the water and get some clear space in front of me.
So now it's down to believing in what I've been doing on land. Knowing that all that effort has cumulated inside me and prepared me for Sunday. This should be a fun race. You can't beat swimming in our version of the Pacific and the odds of perfect weather are high. There will be over 2000 athletes there, from elite crazy people throwing down 1:59s to guys and gals straining for a 3:30. And I'll be in the middle of all of it, trying to have fun, trying to keep my game face on, trying to stay focused for 25 miles of riding and six miles of running. Trying to trust my training and really make it hurt because I know that even through it hurts, I've earned that hurt and I have its measure.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Blaming Children and Finding Fuel
Swim Day
1 x 1000- Swim
total- 1000yds...duh
Run Day
time- 45 minutes
effort- hard
This is Teacher Appreciation Week. Today at my school, this meant it was Dessert Day. Oh...good. Children bringing me brownies. Cookies and chocolate in the lunch room. Great. It's a good thing that when confronted with such spoils I exhibit strong self-control. Meaning that I only ate two brownies and a couple of cookies (They had M&Ms on them! Unfair!) This is not helpful during taper time.
Anyway, I did a nice easy grand in the water this morning. My only goal was to stretch it out and maintain a nice stroke. Didn't even bring my watch.
My run today was the intense run for the week and I nailed it. I didn't think I was going to have the power. We've been practicing for a May Day performance at school tomorrow and I spent a ton of time out in the sun with my kids. Burned me out. But I nailed the run. Not sure of the distance because rain was threatening/falling and I didn't want to soak my Dirtbag Distance Determining Device.
I think I found some fuel to use when my resolve starts to slip. I had the haka in my head during the run today and I think it helped. The Haka is the dance Maori warriors did before going in to battle to geek themselves up and to scare the crap out of the other side. It works. Now the NZ All Blacks do it prior to every game. It still works. I'm going to have this saved in my head so when I start to feel weak and need that boost, I'll be playing this clip. Hell yeah.
1 x 1000- Swim
total- 1000yds...duh
Run Day
time- 45 minutes
effort- hard
This is Teacher Appreciation Week. Today at my school, this meant it was Dessert Day. Oh...good. Children bringing me brownies. Cookies and chocolate in the lunch room. Great. It's a good thing that when confronted with such spoils I exhibit strong self-control. Meaning that I only ate two brownies and a couple of cookies (They had M&Ms on them! Unfair!) This is not helpful during taper time.
Anyway, I did a nice easy grand in the water this morning. My only goal was to stretch it out and maintain a nice stroke. Didn't even bring my watch.
My run today was the intense run for the week and I nailed it. I didn't think I was going to have the power. We've been practicing for a May Day performance at school tomorrow and I spent a ton of time out in the sun with my kids. Burned me out. But I nailed the run. Not sure of the distance because rain was threatening/falling and I didn't want to soak my Dirtbag Distance Determining Device.
I think I found some fuel to use when my resolve starts to slip. I had the haka in my head during the run today and I think it helped. The Haka is the dance Maori warriors did before going in to battle to geek themselves up and to scare the crap out of the other side. It works. Now the NZ All Blacks do it prior to every game. It still works. I'm going to have this saved in my head so when I start to feel weak and need that boost, I'll be playing this clip. Hell yeah.
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