Week 12: Anonymous exercise

I train with a team.  A pretty big team.  And like it or not, my ego often tends to get in the way of my training.  Sometimes looking good and trying to fit in doesn't produce the best training results for me.  On the bike, it produces anger and upset.  Why do I keep getting dropped?  In the pool, it produces a lot of wasted energy and my stroke goes to pot.  On the run, it caused me to run faster and injure myself. (But that was last year, right???)

So I had a few new experiences this week.  On my group ride, I finally decided that I wanted to enjoy my long rides. I'm not going to stop pushing.  And one day I will keep up with everyone.  But in the meantime, I'm going to like being last.  The pool?  I hired a swim coach to help me improve my stroke. 

And I've decided to do some training on my own.  I took a spin class at LA Fitness and it was refreshing that I could be anyone I wanted to be in the class and no one cared.  Oh wait, my team probably doesn't care either....but I assure you it's easier when people don't know you.

I'll also be doing some long rides on my own.  So I can relax and just enjoy being on the bike.  It's also good practice for racing when I won't have the support of my teammates next to me.

I joined the team so I'd have people around but I think it's time to do both.  Train with them.  And train on my own. 9 months to go.  Bring it. :)

Week 11: Training in the cold

The friend who introduced me to triathlons once told me he hated the cold weather and preferred the heat.  I thought he was nuts.  All summer long, and 2010 was the hottest summer I can remember, I kept wanting it to be cooler.  Much cooler. 

Now that it's cold, I finally get it.  The heat is better.  Your muscles are warm.  You aren't achey. The clothing options are much easier.  You get to sweat.  REALLY REALLY sweat.  Sweat pouring down your arms and legs and cleaning all the toxins from your body.  You get to breathe warm humid air.

And when you finish, you can plop down on the sidewalk and stretch while you wait for your teammates.  The sun is still out.  You can hang out and relax and then go to dinner.

And you can bike.  You can ride your bike.  You don't have to check the weather every day and figure out whether or not you can ride outside this weekend.  You don't have to dread two hours on a trainer.  You just load up the water and go.  And the wind can cool you off...instead of freeze you.

Come on spring.  Please come soon.  I want to sweat again. :)

Week 10: Slow and steady wins the race

OK, slow and steady might not REALLY win the race.  But it will allow me to train for 70.3 and 140.6 distances this year.  I've started running again.  And I'm back on the bike...albeit on a trainer but it's cold outside.

It's hard when your ego says "GO FAST, GET ON THE PODIUM" and your head says "I'M SICK OF LIVING IN THIS MUCH PAIN".  My friend, Todd, suggested I read Going Long.  A great deal of the book is too technical for me.  Perhaps as I learn more and progress, it will make sense to me.

What I have learned from the book is that for me to go long, I must go slow.  I MUST develop the base that I need to do these insane distances.  And cycling and running fast is NOT the way to get there.  Sure, if I had a few years under my belt, it would be a different story.  I'm brand new at this.  One year of running is simply not enough to make the increases in speed and distance that I did last year.  And it's why I got injured.

So I'm throwing my ego out the door and starting this dance all over again.  I've been running 10 minute miles.  I've been soft pedalling.  I'm taking it easy.  Until I build up the base that I need.  Maybe 2012 I'll get faster, this year is for Going Long.

Week 9: The new year

I skipped last week because there wasn't too much to say.  And I wasn't really sure how excited I was going to be for the new year but I'm actually amazed about the energy and electricity I am feeling.

I set some goals for this year.  And every year I also write down things I don't want in my life anymore and I burn the piece of paper.  Symbolic, I know, but I still enjoy doing it.

And somehow the simple act of doing that is working.  And getting rid of the things that were blocking me has really helped me find peace.  And life seems so much easier and I'm looking forward to what this year will bring.

Maybe it's the calm before the storm?  But I really dig where I'm at right now.  Looking forward to doing REV3 Half ironman distance in May.  Doing the Gulf Coast relay in May the weekend before REV3 with Lee as my partner in crime.  Swimming 5,000 meters in July.  Augusta 70.3 in September.  And of course, Ironman Florida in November.

So although I am too shy to state my goals publicly, just know that I have a sneaking suspicion that this is going to be a rather incredible year for me.  And my wish is that it is for you as well.