So after the blackhole weekend, the training dearth continued. Last week was one of the busiest work weeks I can remember, and the next two are not going to be much better. I also started classes again Wednesday, so that will add to the pressure. I recently read about a study where one group of subjects were asked to resist cookies and the other were allowed to eat the cookies. They were then asked to participate in an impossible to solve puzzle. Those who resisted the cookies gave up much sooner than those who did not. The conclusion of the study was that we have a limited amount of self-control and we can actually run out! This made perfect sense to me because anytime I've been very good on a diet, I end up shopping too much. So, I need to find some way to indulge (and one that's not going to derail my progress or drain my bank account) so I have the motivation to keep going!
I am officially signed up for my first training race, The US Open Olympic Triathlon in Dallas on October 10th! I'm going for a 3 hour finish, so this month's training is essential. Here's the schedule for this week and it HAS to happen, so no tempting me to go out to dinner with you, and no emailing me after hours!
Sunday: 2000 Meter Swim, 4 Mile Run
Monday: 2 Hour training ride indoors (speed and individual leg work), Weights
Tuesday: 40 Minute ride, 40 minute swim (speed work)
Wednesday: 50 Minute Run, 40 Minute Ride, Weights
Thursday: 200 Meter Swim, Weights
Friday: Off
Saturday: 60 Mile ride
I will try to post these on Daily Mile as I go so my Widget stays up-to-date. I have fresh determination this week, so LET'S DO IT!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Blackhole Weekend
So this weekend's training, not so much! We went to San Antonio for a little mini-vacation. Spent Saturday and Sunday at Fiesta Texas and Sea World, so I did a lot of walking...that will make me an ironman right? Not likely! In the end, I took a few days off from training, but got back into the saddle (literally) yesterday with a solid 16 mile ride and 4 mile run. I actually felt great after the break so I didn't lose too much momentum. This week's schedule is pretty similar to last week's as far as training. Wednesday is a swim/bike, Thursday is a swim/run, Friday I am going to do a 2 hour ride/easy swim, then shoot for 50 mile bike on Saturday. Sunday is a bike/long run.
One thing I haven't been able to incorporate consistently thus far is my strength training so that's my goal for this week. I need to get at least 3 days of strength training a week especially during this base-building phase. I'm too addicted to high impact exercise in general, so I tend to avoid lifting...all the standing around really bugs me. I end up doing jumping jacks or jump squats in between sets, and all the big beefy guys look at me like I'm insane. Of course most of them couldn't even do a jumping jack because they avoid cardio like the plague! As my brilliant nephew once pointed out after seeing a body builder at the gym, "When you're really strong, you walk funny!"
So here's to the rest of this week building basal cardio fitness and strength!
One thing I haven't been able to incorporate consistently thus far is my strength training so that's my goal for this week. I need to get at least 3 days of strength training a week especially during this base-building phase. I'm too addicted to high impact exercise in general, so I tend to avoid lifting...all the standing around really bugs me. I end up doing jumping jacks or jump squats in between sets, and all the big beefy guys look at me like I'm insane. Of course most of them couldn't even do a jumping jack because they avoid cardio like the plague! As my brilliant nephew once pointed out after seeing a body builder at the gym, "When you're really strong, you walk funny!"
So here's to the rest of this week building basal cardio fitness and strength!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Becoming the master of my fears (aerobars)
This weekend was one of the best rides I've ever had, and quite an enlightening experience.
About a year ago, I had my bike fitted with aerobars. Using the bars gives you a good posture break, forces you to engage your glutes more while cycling, and makes you more aerodynamic. For the past year, I have been too chicken to ride for more than 10 seconds on the bars. When you get down there, you feel every little breeze, bump, and wiggle, and its harder to stay in control of the bike. Most of you know that I am extremely clumsy, and one of my biggest fears has been wiping out on my bike. So, Saturday I set out for a long, flat ride and was determined to conquer my fears and go aero.
Here's the thing, it was so simple. I put one hand down, then the other, and rode to my heart's content! I averaged 20 mph the whole ride and was much more comfortable and confident than ever before. I learned once again that the fear was all in my head. I had spent over a year feeling too nervous and scared to just take "the leap." Its almost funny to think of something as small as changing bike positions, but its so true of so many things we don't do because we are afraid. So what's the worst that can happen? I crashed!
At the very end of the ride, I overshot a curve, went off the trail and crashed. I got some good road rash and a sore shoulder, but I'm fine, and suddenly I'm not afraid anymore! The most empowering thing about being an athlete is the knowledge that you have control over your body. Its the confidence that comes with knowing you can push through pain, that you have the strength to endure. But its also being able to mentally overcome your fears, your past, who you think you are.
I have labeled myself as uncoordinated and clumsy, so I've always feared riding fast, going aero, crashing, but today I know that I'm more than those things. I have gained a few extra ounces of mental muscle that I know will be essential when the gun goes off in May and I become an Ironman!
About a year ago, I had my bike fitted with aerobars. Using the bars gives you a good posture break, forces you to engage your glutes more while cycling, and makes you more aerodynamic. For the past year, I have been too chicken to ride for more than 10 seconds on the bars. When you get down there, you feel every little breeze, bump, and wiggle, and its harder to stay in control of the bike. Most of you know that I am extremely clumsy, and one of my biggest fears has been wiping out on my bike. So, Saturday I set out for a long, flat ride and was determined to conquer my fears and go aero.
Here's the thing, it was so simple. I put one hand down, then the other, and rode to my heart's content! I averaged 20 mph the whole ride and was much more comfortable and confident than ever before. I learned once again that the fear was all in my head. I had spent over a year feeling too nervous and scared to just take "the leap." Its almost funny to think of something as small as changing bike positions, but its so true of so many things we don't do because we are afraid. So what's the worst that can happen? I crashed!
At the very end of the ride, I overshot a curve, went off the trail and crashed. I got some good road rash and a sore shoulder, but I'm fine, and suddenly I'm not afraid anymore! The most empowering thing about being an athlete is the knowledge that you have control over your body. Its the confidence that comes with knowing you can push through pain, that you have the strength to endure. But its also being able to mentally overcome your fears, your past, who you think you are.
I have labeled myself as uncoordinated and clumsy, so I've always feared riding fast, going aero, crashing, but today I know that I'm more than those things. I have gained a few extra ounces of mental muscle that I know will be essential when the gun goes off in May and I become an Ironman!
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